AutoZone

Autozone is my go to parts place. Rarely disappointed. For example, battery died and I got a jump start and drive directly here. John John diagnosed the problem within 30 seconds, we installed a new battery in less than five minutes. Start to finish less than ten minutes and driving away. So don’t wonder Why I drove an extra fifteen minutes to this Autozone. Why only four stars? Autozone’s rewards program obviously designed by old fashion corporate types whos only interest is my data; no real rewards ever happen. But I come anyway because of the exceptional service.

Good service and parts arrive on time, the guys are really helpful.

At around 11:00am, Tuesday, July 28^th, after not having received a promised earlier (from Monday night, July 27^th) call when a part would arrive, I arrive at AZ. Asked if they could look up a part (35 364), they found one in stock. I said, «should be the one you guys ordered for me last night». It was. An Employee could not find the part on the shelf. Asst Mgr K found it checked in, but sitting at a register along with a few other boxes, apparently not yet shelved.
AM K looked in the box, found the part — supposedly an Edcor AC/​Heater fan blower motor (w/​o cage) for a Toyota. He proceeded to show me how to push the tab into the included Molex plug, (I know how, but whatever) I remarked that polarity was important, we both then tried removing the pin now seated firmly in the plug. I managed to pull it loose easily, with a small Allen driver.
After some time, probably an hour in the parking lot, having been loaned — for on premise use only — a ratchet/​driver set, I gave up (mostly due to the 90 degree heat! I returned the tools asap.
I drove to other needed places, the part in the trunk, came back after finding same part, but PLUS cage, in stock (at Car Quest), but for $ 117.00 (I thought that was bad until I priced the Toyota Dealer OEM, 242.00 with tax! NOT installed). I will most likely buy from them — why? I needed the cage fan, as well. The Edcor and VDO did not come with a cage fan (using the proved pics on the ordering system and web) — tried pulling off the old, not a good time, just really rusted on that shaft. Another brand was available SO only, 80.00
I THOUGHT I didnt want to wait.
Upon returning to the Mundelein AZ store at around 4pm, I presented the Edcor part to the same Employee that earlier could not find this part on the shelf. Upon quick exam of the part he stated:
«Oh, ya, I saw you earlier in here shaving this down.» he Pointed to the drive shaft, where I noticed, again, a rather poor attempt by some shop to shave more key-​way along the length of the shaft — in order to fit a cage fan, obviously. I said «the drive shaft? I shaved it down? You think I did that while at the counter or outside? Really? With a ratchet set? You have to be fucking kidding me!», He said, «That isnt a drive shaft and, Yes, and also, this isnt an Edcor part». The box said Edcor, I wouldnt be able to tell the difference — AT THAT TIME.
I said, «Ya, that is the part that came in the box.». He says, «This is yours». I say, «you are crazy». He says, «Do have the other part?». I get it, then show him.
He proceeds the return, while remarking, «I’ll go ahead and return this for you, but I don’t need all the attitude».
HE ACCUSES ME OF TAMPERING WITH A PRODUCT, POSSIBLY SWITCHING A PRODUCT, AND I HAVE ATTITUDE?!
Today, I looked up the part — where although he is correct in that the part in the Edcor box (35 364) was indeed a VDO part (PM3904 or VT37364 — it includes a LOOSE Molex Female conn and some other part that isn’t OEM, as well as the butt conns, where the Edcor 35 364 comes with butt conns and the Male Molex conn ATTACHED), and this STILL isnt my concern nor my fault. If the Asst Mngr cant tell the difference upon a counter delivery inspection, and at the time I dont know the difference (but blieve it to be «normal»), I blame AutoZone.
Also, look closely at this page, as of July 29^th, 2015:
Clearly, the Special Order is the wrong item that came in the correct box, but store employees say the Edcor version WITH fan (35 202) is the special order!
WHICH STORY IS TRUE, GUYS?
Hello, «Undercover Boss» time!
But, later, the next day, you may not «believe» what the Regional Manager has to offer me. I will post a link later.
LEt’s just say, today (8÷20÷15) the DM recorded our «conversation» back then, because he’ll be fired over it, certainly. And, the future for AutZone has now become this:
Take it any way you want. You’re done, AZ. You are the Jiffy Lube of con artists.

These guys rock, have been going to them since I got my license and fixing my crappy a** cars. They always jump to find you the part you need.

One of my car headlights burned out last week. I told myself that it would be easier — and cheaper — to buy a new bulb and install it myself. I decided to go to Autozone, buy the bulb and convince one of the employees to «help» me replace it. I purchased the correct bulb and asked the guy at the register if it would be hard to install, fully aware of the fact that he would probably offer to do it for me. Thankfully, I was right. In about 5 minutes, both of my headlights were fully functioning and it only cost me $ 10. Thank you, Autozone!