Advance Auto Parts

I rebuild about 5 vehicles a year and have been using advanced since they moved into the neighborhood.

A 99 Blazer, 4.3 had the engine light come on and I got a code for a bad cam sensor, went to advanced paid $74.04 for the part (got the aftermarket re-man from mexico), went home and put it in. Went to start the car and nothing, wouldn't start, no code, nada!. Put the old one back in and the truck starts right up, still get the code come up, now rememebr with the other one, nothing. Bad part, no problem, it happens on occasion, I'll just return and get another one, or so I think.

I get to the store and am told by the store manager that they won't accept the return or replace it because I "installed the part". Now there's no sign that says they don't do returns on electrical parts, they've done it in the past when I bought a bad alternator, they checked it and replaced it. I spend $200+ a week at this store and am in there every Wednesday to get ready for Saturday builds.. On the receipt it says "1 year warranty if defective." Maybe I'm not too bright, but how do you know something is defective unless you install it? Anyway, the store manager says because people have recently been bringing back a bunch of switches and sensors they "decided" not to do returns. Hmmm, defective parts being sold to the point that you're willing to sell them, take money and when they don't work tell people their SOL? I can buy another part, for more money might I add, but they won't take that one back if it doesn't work. This is how to do business, not stand behind what you sell? I'm not a guy who's trying to return a bogus part, I am, was, a steady loyal customer who was trying to merely get a part for a car that worked. If they're selling remanned parts and they work, great, I'll buy them. If they don't, replace and/or refund. Now the manager is looking at me like I'm a 15 year old kid, I'm 46..."So, do you want me to order you another one?" really?, REALLY! I'm still shocked that the manager, who has seen me, my wife, my sons, my father uncles and friends in the store on a weekly basis treats me like a POS. I left and I had to go to an Auto Zone to get the part, I asked if it was returnable if it didn't work and was told, "Absolutely, we stand behind what we sell." I then tell him the story... (I was pissed) Apparently the local Auto Zone, which is a little more expensive on items, know's how to do business and this wasn't the 1st story like mine that they heard this week. Amazingly, I go home, put the part in and it works! What a concept.

I'm not some weiner that gets on the internet and complains on everything to anyone just for the sake of complaining, I'm too busy. But I'm still pissed a day later so I call the 1-877 number on the Advanced Auto web site and get an out of country call center. The lady I spoke to was nice and apologized often and took my information. Who am I kidding, them losing my business, my family and my friends isn't going to shut the company down or make too much of a dent. I'm not going to get called back. No one's going to care. But if the business doesn't post policies, puts warranty info on the receipt, and on their computer POS when you look up the part, why would they not replace or return. If it was damaged due to an installation, I can understand, but the part came back without a scratch and just as clean in and out of the box as it did when it left the store. Sorry Advanced, you dropped the ball locally, and not having a regional number to call to handle customers is a mistake. I'm sending all my mailed flyers back "return to sender", I want nothing to do with your company anymore after this point. AHHHHH, I thought I'd feel better after writing this, but I truly don't. Loyalty to companies in this day and age means absolutely nothing!