I hate you, AutoZone

[Katapl]

I'm a part time employee for AutoZone. I wear a red shirt and get a modest $8.25 an hour. Anyone who is management wears a gray shirt. I am constantly **** on by those people.

We have a 'commercial specialist' who only deals with commercial accounts. You know, like Sears Automotive Repairs, Midas, etc. This guy is a completely douchebag and probably makes double what I do. He'll take 50 minute bathroom breaks, but piss and moan to me when I and another employee took a break at the same time, and ended up missing one phone call. Of course, he probably didn't answer it. Then he had the nerve to say we should have a bathroom break schedule for us. I'm clipping these tags from totes when he says, "there's a customer up front." I reach down to clip the last one and he says, "Hey, there's a customer up front." I replied, "I know, I just had to get that one last tag." His response? "Customer comes first." Hahah. As I walk to the counter, I said, "dude, it's just one tag. it took a second." He pulls his head away from his phone and says, "Customer first." Ya, **** off you commercial moron. What a tool. When I have to go in the back for a part... what do you think that guy is doing? He's playing with his cell phone, sitting on a chair, listening to the radio and waiting for a commercial account to call. Thanks for helping us up front at the counter, Idiot.

When our truck shipment of merchandise comes on Sunday, the red shirts will exclusively put all the items away. That includes overweight brake rotors for stupid hicks who still drive 10 mpg Ford F-150's. If I get tired and try to sit from lifting dumb truck rotors, I'm pretty much told NOT to sit. If I tell them my legs get sore from standing all day, they laugh and say, "how old are you again?"

The customers are great too. I sold two guys a thermostat for a 1990 Dodge Caravan with a Mitsu 3.0 engine. They come back 30 minutes later. They walk in and I greet them with, "Hey, what can I do for you guys?" They moan, "You can sell me the right thermostat!" I look it up, and it's correct. However, they brought the old one in. I look through different combination's and find the one they have. It's for a 1989 3.3 engine. Of course, they piss and moan, "It's a 3 liter Mitsubishi Engine! It says right on it!" Ya, I bet it is, Idiot.

I hate AutoZone. I'd rather work somewhere else. Unfortunately, there's really no where else I could work.

[Kckouki]

Awwwww, its alright baby. You can lean on my shoulder.

[wynnEZ]

Working with people can be a real bish sometimes but thats life. You'll always have people boss/customers that are complete d!ck but you have to just let it go and live on.

[LER]

I have never had a good experience with any Autozone. I used to work for Advance Auto Parts right out of high school and just started at NAPA about 6 months ago (when I decided to go back to college, lol) Anyways From the experience I've had at these jobs (not to mention my other jobs over the years) it's all about the people. That d***** bag "parts specialist" is never going to change. I say f it and find another job. If you stay there just make the best of it and don't listen to his crap. He has probably been there for 30 years and still will be when he croaks.

[snwbrdr435]

Yea im not a fan of autozone after seeing a manager yell at a salesperson infront of all the customers. That is a no no.

[Katapl]

Well, this AutoZone is actually really good on service. All the gray shirts (besides our dumbass 24 year old commercial specialist) have had a ton of auto experience. One was a Honda/Acura Mechanic for 20 years, the other has something like 3 classic 4x4 pick-up trucks, and all of which he's built himself. Then even some of the other people here have done stuff like body work and misc work for years. We have a NAPA, O'reillys, Checker and more, but we still get more business than they do. I'm told we have the best counter knowledge of any parts store in the metro. Problem is, I'm no where near as knowledgeable as those people. They know it, and treat us like ****.

I absolutely LOVE helping people find the parts they need. I know it sounds corny, but if I can actually help them solve their problems, it makes me happy. Unfortunately, the most of our customers are complete and ungrateful bungholes who don't care about how they treat us.

Funny thing is, since I've been there and customers have blown up on me over parts, it's always been their fault. I've never once heard of one customer bitching who had a right to do so.

When I'm trying to find the correct brakes for a 1972 Ford and I ask my store manager, "Hey Name, can you take a look at these in a minute and let me know what you think?" and him turning around with big wide eyes and snootily saying, "YA, after I finishing helping this customer!" C'mon, give me a break. I didn't say RIGHT NOW, and I'm only trying to make sure a customer gets the right parts. Get off my back, Douchebag.

[LER]

Any parts store can be a GREAT parts store, it all depends on who you have working there. See when I worked for Advance, we were the top store in the area (Live Oak, FL, woohoo?) NAPA and Autozone just couldn't compete. Now here in Jacksonville people come to NAPA because most of the store around here don't hire dumba$$es or anyone who doesn't know cars because they know it kills sales. I know what you mean about helping someone find a part they need making you feel good, I'm the same way. I go out of my way to find someone a part (I usually do) and people appreciate that. Some of the guys who have been there for 10 years or so wonder why people will come in a wait 20-30 minutes, just to see me for the parts they need. Not boasting or anything, I'm just good with parts...

[Katapl]

While we have great knowledge, the staff is just a bunch of asses. I just can't get over our so called "Commercial Specialist." Talk about being a hypocrite... this guy is the epitome of it. I wish I knew somewhere else I could work. I'd be on it like white on rice. My Dad doesn't seem to mind me working at AutoZone though. He thinks of it as a gateway to something like a dealer parts counter job.

The people who go the NAPA here normally know what the hell they're doing. In the words of our douchebag commercial specialist, "AutoZone is the Wal-Mart of Auto Parts stores." I couldn't agree more there.

[JimmyMethod]

Wanna not get shat on by your bosses?Start your own business.

Other than that, you'll always have to deal with it.

I suggest, if you want to at least get paid a little better for being a living toilet, get a degree. Other than that: welcome to the real world homeboy.

[crackler]

Before I moved, there was an O'rielly's I went to exclusively. The other one in town had a bunch of d-bags working there, and the advanced next door wasn't much better. The only time I went to advanced was when the O'rielly's didn't carry what I needed. It got to the point with my 240 all of the guys who normally worked the evening shift new what year and make car I had. And they had this one kid that worked there that knew his **** inside and out, and was cool as hell. Since I moved I don't have a parts store worth a **** with in 15 - 20 miles. I stopped by the advanced, and they started making fun of a customer after he left, and the clerk clowned him while he was there. And at the O'rielly's I was at some guy was trying to get a part for a 4 cyl Japanese car, I missed what it was. But the clerk told him "those cars aren't popular, no one drives imports". To which the guy replied, if gas stays the way it is, they will. . . I LOL'd inside as I walked by.

I was(am) always polite and patient with people that deal with the general public, usually even if I am on the receiving end of a mistake.There where days, that I would have one nice coustmer, and all the rest were pissed off before they ever got to the counter. I try to make sure that whom ever deals with me has at least one nice customer that day. I worked in customer service too long to be an a-hole. I know what it feels like to get crapped on by customers who don't know there *** from a hole in the ground. It is amazing some people are able to breath on their own. And that is why I have the opinion of the general public that I do.

Nothing like having a repeat *** hole pull up to the back of the shop with the bay doors open, for him to find 75% of his Benz's interior laying in the floor. He was always polite and well mannered after that. It's amazing how quick people get nice once they realize you can **** their **** up and they wouldn't know it until it is too late. That guy was a Grade-A ***. I guess pro ball players think their special or something.

[Red coupe]

You work at autozone.... what were you expecting?

[D-Maxima]

I am the same with customer service. If I get good customer service, I'll buy what Im looking at even if I was just researching about them. unless its a major purchase decision, obviously.

I try to give some people a laugh if its been an obvious long day too. Even if they think when I walk off, what a jerk, Its ok coz they get a chuckle atleast before the next a hole customer.

[yingiang]

you know, i work at costco and a lot of the employees and some supervisors do that.. you know what i do? i tell them how it is strait to their face...and if they don't like it, **** them go work somewhere else. but as far as me getting in trouble with any of them for "insubordination" i'd care less because most of the higher ups are really friendly with me.. i'd be blunt about it and not take it in the *** like a lot of the people do @ work.. so if i were you just tell him how it is in a professional manner no matter who he is... if its a team effort then throw it in his face.. who gives a **** if hes a specialist for all i care he gets paid for working not sitting on the cell phone and hanging out all day.

hey you scratch my back and i scratch yours? isn't it how that works?

[IanS]

Working as a mechanic, I have experience with almost every parts stores, and as mention above, its the people who make the difference. I hate Napa with a passion, because no matter what I need, or what time it is, it takes 2 hours to show up, and they are only 2 blocks away. Ive gotten into it with the guys at Orielly, they dont like me and I like them less, though that will change, as the guys working at CSK are rumored to be taking over that Orielly. CSK is cool, though the quality of the parts they carry isnt as high as some of the others. CarQuest is by far the greatest in the area, they have an inhouse machine shop, a large inventory, high part quality, friendly service, and quick deliveries. CarQuest is also the most expensive, but they make up for it, about twice a month a 5 deep stack of pizzas shows up free of charge, and every sunday the driver brings a box of donuts with her first delivery.

To me parts are very important, being a parts store guy takes a lot more intelligence and skill than most people think.

I feel for you when you talk about the D-bag from commercial, my store manager has had many a moment like that. Due to two guys quitting lately though, he cannot afford to fire me. I have taken advantage of this by refusing to take crap from anyone. Ive walked out once within the last week, and Ive also told all of the front shop people to go f**k themselves at least twice in the same time.

Word of advice, make yourself hard to replace, then lay down the law.

Awwwww, its alright baby. You can lean on my shoulder.

Beware, this is most definitely a trap.

[krimsonviper]

That's retail for you.

Become a manager, and make everyone happy except for him. Never help him out, and make his life a living h3ll.

Sorry to hear you hate your job, i currently hate mine too. crummy bosses FTMFL!

[telcoman]

Katapl

For you and the other young men who hate their jobs, go back to college. The University of Minnesota is a great school. Start in community college if necessary. Borrow the money in student loans if necessary. Top auto technicians earn over 6 figure incomes.Stay where you are and you'll be sorry the rest of your life.Just my $.02

Telcoman

[Katapl]

You couldn't even imagine working with a couple of the people who I have to deal with daily.
Modified by Katapl at 11:27 AM 9/22/2008

[gniknave]

LOL... my thread 3 years ago zerothread?id=126217

[gniknave]

Wanna not get shat on by your bosses?Start your own business.

Going in my Facebook quote section...

[Kckouki]

Beware, this is most definitely a trap.

NEEEEEVVAAAAARRRR !!!!!!!!

[s13gebala]

every job sucks, my job sucks i cant wait to go to college and be done with these **** jobs

[Kenrik]

I make 50k a year messing around in photoshop & Indesign...

That's what school is for Kiddies...

[MastaYu]

I make 50k a year messing around in photoshop & Indesign...

That's what school is for Kiddies...

[initial_jc]

i work at autozone also

and i agree grey shirts are wack

i recently got into an argument with a manager also

[LER]

Sweet chin hair?

[Dattebayo]

I sold two guys a thermostat for a 1990 Dodge Caravan with a Mitsu 3.0 engine. They come back 30 minutes later. They walk in and I greet them with, "Hey, what can I do for you guys?" They moan, "You can sell me the right thermostat!" I look it up, and it's correct. However, they brought the old one in. I look through different combination's and find the one they have. It's for a 1989 3.3 engine. Of course, they piss and moan, "It's a 3 liter Mitsubishi Engine! It says right on it!" Ya, I bet it is, Idiot.

There is no such thing as a 1989 3.3 liter motor in a Caravan.

My problem with you silly Auto Zone employees is that they always hire people like you who know next to nothing about all cars. I figure that since your company doesn't specialize in one kind of car, PERHAPS you should hire someone who has a general knowledge of all cars, JUST MAYBE??!?

Your complaint is silly and completely un-warranted IMO. That may be one of the few jobs I would agree with the supervisors point of view. His contract with the company is probably to simply manage you guys and handle commercial stuff.

If I were hired to simply do one job and not another, I wouldn't go out of my way to help another guy with his duties either. It doesn't make sense to help another guy do HIS job when I'm not getting paid any extra to do that. Especially when he gets paid crap too. I used to work in one of these horrible Retail jobs once, you couldn't pay me to do it again.

[Tulsa_S-13]

Haha, I'm working at Autozone as a summer job until school starts back up in August.

NEWS FLASH**** All retail jobs are pretty much the same. You deal with ****ty management and ignorant customers.

Luckily at the location I'm working at everyone (including Grey shirts) is pretty down to Earth and easy to get along with.

My problem with you silly Auto Zone employees is that they always hire people like you who know next to nothing about all cars. I figure that since your company doesn't specialize in one kind of car, PERHAPS you should hire someone who has a general knowledge of all cars, JUST MAYBE??!?

Yea, there are some dumb people that work there and it's almost always the case of "Oh yea on my Furd it has this" Well, good thing he's not working on a Ford...

It helps to have logic.

Oh yea, and contrary to popular belief the computer systems are not ALWAYS right.

[Soravia]

Oh, yeah! I work with computers and they always get some bug or the other, all the time. Even if everything is right, the data put in can be wrong and people go off hay wire till the offending input is found.

Things are never perfect in life. If people realize that and take it to heart, every day life becomes much more pleasant.

I second getting an automotive tech degree.

[NSR_s30]

I love how AZ always sends us the WRONG parts

[Katapl]

There is no such thing as a 1989 3.3 liter motor in a Caravan.

Yup, I had to change the year to 1990 to find a 3.3 liter engine. Funny thing is, the guy came in just yesterday and said, "Hey it IS a 3.3 !" Hurrr. The things people say to me.

Imagine working 8-7 pm, 5 days a week, and just waiting for the phone to ring... which it normally does about 10-25 times in that period. Ya, there's a 'commercial specialist.' Someone who makes twice my pay, is twice as lazy, and just sits in the back on a stool playing with their cell phone all day until they feel like yelling at you. It's great.