Advance Auto Parts

Professional and courteous, but highly incompetent and lacking in the most basic knowledge. Only come here if you are buying a part.
I have a 2000 Honda Accord, nothing fancy nor difficult. Sometime in June, my battery completely died. I got a jump, but felt like I might need to have the battery checked out later just in case. I went in to Advance maybe a week later, explained the situation and the employee said they could test the charge on my battery, then from there either charge my battery or replace it all together. The test said my charge was low. Seeing as I didn’t know how old the battery was (I had just bought the car used two months prior), I opted for the battery replacement.
We walk out to my car, pop the hood and the employee starts fiddling around with something inside of my car. He asked if I have an anti-​theft system and I say, «yes.» After a few minutes, the employee goes back inside to ask his supervisor something (the employee seemed really young and a bit inexperienced). He returns a few minutes later saying that he can’t change my battery. He says their code reader can’t connect to my car and that due to my anti-​theft system, if he changes the battery without saving the codes, all hell will break loose. My on board computer will be screwed up, my radio won’t work and my car probably won’t even drive anymore. He emphasized that there were tons of codes needed to make my car run. I ask if they can charge the battery instead and he says they shouldn’t touch the battery at all. If they mess with the battery without a copy of the codes, my car will be screwed six ways from Sunday and I would have to pay hundreds of dollars to get the codes from Honda later on and to fix any subsequent damage. He apologizes, refunds my purchase and strongly recommends I go to the Honda dealer.
Then, for some reason still unknown to me, it took him and three other employees TWENTY minutes to close the hood of my car. I admit it’s tricky, but the previous owner was a 50 year old tiny accountant who closed the hood by himself with the jiggle of a wrench. The AAA guy closed it without a wrench just fine. Why on earth it took four different auto «professionals» to close my hood, I will never understand.
I don’t know much about cars, but everything the employee said sounded very off to me. After doing a brief search later that day, it turns out he and all the other employees have absolutely no idea what they are talking about.
(1) There is only one code needed: the radio code.
(2) The car will still function perfectly without the radio code.
(3) I have a copy of the radio code (which I would have mentioned, but the employee kept talking about the multiple codes needed so I figured there was some other internal code system I didn’t know about).
(4) I can *easily* get the radio code from Honda for free if I no longer knew what it was.
Honda is a very popular brand, so I am not sure why no one there knows how to change a Honda battery. The only reason I am not livid with this egregious lack of knowledge is that the entire staff was very polite and professional while I was there (that is a HUGE plus). The main employee I interacted with clearly explained the different battery charging options and the pros and cons of each. The other three who worked on my hood smiled and made eye contact. But it’s painfully obvious they don’t know how to work on an actual car. Maybe Advance are well stocked with parts, but if you need an actual service to your car, you’re better off at literally any other place.
Two weeks later, I went to Jiffy Lube for an oil change. The technicians there recommended a battery replacement, which I accepted. Not only did Jiffy Lube replace my battery for $ 40 less than what Advance would have charged, they know what a radio code is, had enough sense to ask me if I know my radio code and it took one guy an extra thirty seconds to close my hood.

I’ve been coming to this location since it was Trak-​Auto! Over the years, it’s gone from a place I looked forward to visiting, to a place I dread going. The staff used to be very pleasant and would ask if I needed help locating anything. During my most recent visit, I had a hard time deciding if I was in a parts store or a zombie movie. The staff were completely impersonal and disinterested.
To their credit, they tend to have a lot of parts in stock when you need them. HOWEVER, when there are three other parts stores nearby (one in the SAME parking lot!)– you must set yourself apart with exceptional customer service.
I’ve been a loyal customer for 12 years, but my last two visits will prompt me to take my first walk into AutoZone…

Some items are cheaper than Auto Zone (right around the corner) which gives them 3 stars. Friendly service and decent selection of parts/​supplies as well.

I was a fan of this store… all the way up until the day I went to purchase a battery and have them install it. I usually go to them always since they advertise FREE installation with out the hassle. Well after my purchase… all of the enthusiam of the salesman immediately dissappeared when he realized that it was wet and rainy outside. He then refused to install saying that he was due for his break shortly and proceeded to yell out for a female tech to come and assist me. Not that minded whomever was gonna help but the manner in which it was done was completely unacceptable. She asked him to carry the battery out for her as she went to search for tools and a cart for the job. and he completely refused. J E R K~ She installed the battery no problem. As we finished up .the guy ((JERK)) gloated and laughed as she entered the store wet from being outside. He never went on a break mind you… just didnt want to do the job he gets paid for~

They mostly have everything I want to customize my car, but their paint options are lousy.

If you know what you’re looking for, this place will probably have the parts that you need. As for the commercials where they show people willing to help you and will help you build a car from scratch… yeaa…that ain’t happening. Dirty, drab, and you want to leave as soon as you step out. Just come in here, get your parts, and ROLL THE F OUT!

If you are a woman in this crappy neighborhood store and you want to not find the part you want and not get help from a salesperson whose not willing to help you out of laziness/​sexism, then come here! How can you NOT carry a fixed cap-​like oil filter wrench for one of the most popular cars out there?! Jackasses!

I’m not sure how long I’ve been driving around with only one headlight working. I hate people that do that! Come to find out I’m one of the offenders! Finally some guy walking down the street shouted out to me as I was parking my car on the road. And I just thought the streets were dark. :P
After work today I contemplated going to my usual body shop to have them change my bulb. I was charged $ 20 last time and I figured a bulb couldn’t be more than five bucks. My coworker told me about this place and it is kinda on my way home, so off I went.
Advanced Auto Parts has auto parts alright. Rows and rows stacked to the ceiling. Finding what you need is quick and easy: Wait in line, tell the guy at the back register what you’re looking for, your make and model and with a quick look on the computer he’ll tell you what you need. Better yet, the guy walked me to where the bulb was and handed it to me. It was more than I thought ($ 9.59), but I don’t have time to shop around. The price is most likely the going rate since this is a chain store.
Now, how long do you think it’s going to take for me to actually install it?