Advance Auto Parts

This is hands down the worst Advance Auto I’ve ever been to, and it’s persuaded me to always just take my business to AutoZone from here on out.
First, the line was all the way down the aisle and they only had two employees. It was the first nice, 60-​degree day out in February, so you’d think their management would do the math and staff up the store a little more since everyone would be out working on their cars, but no. That might have even been okay, if it weren’t for the fact that while the line was still long, one of the ladies left to go take a smoke break. I’ve worked in retail before, and you get your break once it’s not so freakin’ busy. When there’s a line of customers, those are your priority. Not your cigarette.
Secondly, I asked to borrow a number of tools they had listed on their website as part of the loan a tool program. Each time, the girl had to go over to another employee to ask what it was, where it was, and each time, they just said they didn’t have it without checking the computer or the shelves. So I stood in line for 20 minutes just to interact with an employee who I think barely knew how to start her own car, much less service it, and not get anything I needed done.
So I went to the AutoZone in Fairfax City. The manager there didn’t know exactly what tool I was talking about, but asked if I had the SKU. Sure! Supplied that, and she found what I was looking for right away. They also had 6+ people on shift in the store, as well as 2 others outside helping customers perform the service on their cars.
Stick with AutoZone.

I can’t stand coming to this place but because it’s so close to my house I do. It’s a horrible self inflicted issue. This review is basically based on the fact they NEVER have enough people in the front. They have one person who goes and looks for parts for someone while everyone else sits around waiting. Meanwhile they have four other people in the back doing jack. I have walked out several times because the check out was so slow or non existent. I hate giving them business. Why do you place no priority on increasing transaction speeds? Why do people need to wait on YOU to give you their money?

I went to this location with my girlfriend today to pick up a radiator for my car. When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by ‘Rodney’ and another younger looking man. I asked the younger looking gentleman to check to see if they had the part in stock and they did, according to their system. He said he would go check for it and be back soon.
The young man who was helping took 20 minutes and came back and started assisting other customers without saying a word to us. I ask Rodney to see what the status was on the part and he said the commercial parts employee was checking so we waited another 5 – 10 minutes and nothing yet. During this entire time, I observe employees, both front and back, vaporing, listening to music and talking on their cell phones.
I ask «Rodney’ again to check the part and he immediately became defensive saying the lady was ‘going out of her way to find the part because it is not where it should be in the back storage and that some times their inventory doesn’t update so it may not even be here’. My girlfriend snapped back and commented on his poor customer service.
I became frustrated immediately due to his tone and asked how a radiator would just go missing and who was in charge of their stock and shrinkage because you can’t just lose a radiator. He began to stutter and said «the questions you’re asking wont get you what you need. I’m telling you she’s going out of her way for you». I found his excuse hard to believe seeing as I have worked for Advanceautoparts several years ago and He insisted on going to another location to find the part, which I began to find suspicious and I felt like I was being inconvenienced due to lack of inventory control or possible internal stealing. In order to not cause a scene, I simply asked for his name which he refused to give out until I mentioned calling the corporate office to make a complaint which I did while in the store.
I walked out with my girlfriend and went to another store where respectful and professional employees were.
I believe ‘Rodney’(I don’t believe that’s his real name) needs to be give a progressive discipline or fired due to his lack of professionalism and I personally believe there is stealing happening within this store from the internal group.

Longest checkout, there was only one person at the counter trying to help us all. Update– I went there to return the wrong part that was given. I told the lady what I needed and she gave me the wrong part. I had (who I believe is the lady manager) help me and she was SO rude! She was not helpful and when I told I wanted to return the item that was wrongly given to me she gave me a HUGE attitude! I asked her where another auto parts store is since they do not carry what I need and in a snobby attitude she said” I dont know, check Fairfax or something like that.) Thanks for all the amazing help you gave me, NOT! I will never come back to this store again! EVER!

Waited 20 minutes to check out. They only had one pen in the whole store to sign receipts. Really?

I’ve been going to the auto parts stores for everything from motor oil to cleaning products.
I purchased a car battery (with warranty) from these guys back in 2011. Since then, I haven’t had to pay full price for a battery as long as I return the old battery. I took another back and they give you a new one with just a signature.

Aside from having to wait around 10 minutes for an available staff member (though I was acknowledged when I arrived), I enjoyed the great customer service I was given to check my battery, purchase a new one, they installed the new battery, and disposed of the old one.
Thanks for making my car troubles a breeze!

I’ll preface this review with a simple fact: I’m not a car-​knowledgable person. I pay those specialized people at the dealership to handle 99% of my car-​related needs. On the off 1% chance I need something simple, like a windshield wiper, AAP is the place I run to.
I stopped by on Monday around 7pm to pick up said windshield wiper. It was clear from the moment I walked in that the place was under-​staffed. There was only one gentleman named Ben behind the counter trying to handle the needs of people in an ever-​growing line, while also answering phone calls. I did see another worker guy walk in, check one person out, then disappear again. I watched a tiny young worker lady walk-​in with a big ol’ car part, look at the line, shrug and say «I was supposed to be off at 4:30», and kept walking into the back of the store. Kudos to Ben for staying level-​headed, curteous and efficient under pressure. Thankfully all the customers were patient and kind to him! It was clear he was working his butt off and doing the best he could.
When it came to be my turn in line, I asked Ben to double-​check to make sure I got the right wiper for my truck. He quickly looked it up and confirmed. I paid and asked sheepishly, «What’re my chances of getting help to put this contraption on?» He didn’t bat an eye, just simply asked me to pull my vehicle up to the door. Within 5 minutes, Ben was outside and putting the wiper on himself. It was surprisingly quick, easy and I was on my way in no time.
Because of Ben’s work ethics alone, I’ll be back to AAP of Chantilly to take care of my basic vehicle-​related needs.

I came here when my check engine light came on. I didn’t have time to take it to a mechanic, so I asked if they could pull the code from my car and give me a quick assessment. They did it for free and the associate who helped me gave an honest answer. Bonus points for them because the code didn’t read correctly the first time, but the associate kept trying until it worked.

–Friendly employees, willingness to help
–Employees are very knowledgable of items
–Clean and organized store
–Fast and easy service
Came here a week ago trying to find a defroster and wasn’t able to find one out on the floor. The employee and I looked around for a couple minutes but couldn’t find it. She went to the back to see if they had anything and she was able to find it! I was so happy since it’s becoming so icey outside and needed this bad! She was super nice and had great customer service. I would definitely come back for my car needs!

I went with my father and his english is sub-​par but the one handsome black fellow understood the best he could and was very kind and helpful. He checked out the reason for our check engine light and referred us to another employee who found out the parts we needed. My father decided not to buy the parts that day but the employee wrote down the parts we needed with the price and even where the part was located in the car.

Andy there is kind of a dick, gave me attitude when all I wanted to do was buy stuff and check out.

I had such a great experience here that I had to write something today! Both of my headlights went out last night, and the guy at the counter (Tim) came all the way out to my car to check it out and also make sure my tail lights were still working OK. He then immediately installed my head lamps for me, and i came in about 10 minutes before closing! I also had a good experience here when i bought a new battery for my car a couple of years ago… it was installed in minutes! Great shop, lots in stock, and the staff is top notch.

Located in a shopping plaza shared with Stein Mart. The fellow behind the counter tried to crack a joke about coffee being mandatory for service outdoors, then quickly became serious after seeing the look on my face (resultant of a very long day at work). Very polite and courteous after that. I do feel bad for the guy who changed the battery for me in the parking lot though, it was pretty cold that night. Went without a hitch, core charge taken care of as expected too.