Working At Autozone

"-Amateur" (amateur) 12/02/2013 at 19:16 • Filed to: None

2

37

Kill me please....

I worked my first day, a 7 hour shift. I have made a terrible mistake picking this as my part time job.

-One customer kept telling me that he has a 1991 Hyundai. I asked him what model and he had no clue. I told him if he had the car here, I can take a look and tell him. He just told me to name off some names and he'd know it if he heard it....so that's what I do. He might have gotten the year wrong so I start going down the line-up of 90's Hyundais. Then I started naming off some Honda names in the middle of my Hyundai spiel on the off chance he was grossly lost in the sauce when it came to cars. He had a Honda Accord.

-Another one wanted a brake light. I got him the type of bulb he needed. It's a 2 pack and he starts ranting that he only needs one and asks if he could refund the other bulb. No sir, it doesn't work that way.

-Manager tells me to get more people to sign up for our free Autozone membership card. I tell him that most customers already have one and everyone else, I already ask and explain to them the benefits and they still decline. They're grown people and if they don't want the card, I can respect their decision and not pry and force my way into making them sign up for one.

-Another Customer knew his car was a Saturn but had no idea what model it was. When I checked his car, he had an SL. It boggles my mind that people have no idea what car they drive. More so, a good chunk have no idea what motor they have; mind you, these are the same people who want to do their cars mechanic work themselves.

-We received a load from trucks today. It's no where near done when I punched out...probably because we are understaffed and have to tend to the customers first. I really do go out of my way to help customers install their newly bought batteries, wipers and bulbs. They were pressuring us to finish sorting the load, which I would totally do when there was some down time, but otherwise I can care less when there's customers to be tended to. Customers are always the bread and butter of any business and I truly enjoy helping them when I can. Either schedule more people or tell me that I'm exclusively to work load and I'll be off my merry way.

-I was told that I'm not supposed to help customers install bulbs unless they bought bulb grease. I use it all the time for my car since I don't want them to get stuck in there, but if the customer doesn't want to buy it, I'm not going to deny them help with installing it. Autozone is always trying to squeeze an extra buck out of people. I'm also supposed to sway customers to buy related stuff for whatever their DIY situation is because profit.

-One manager is honestly a cool guy, the other ones are like from the hood with their slang and lingo. I didn't sign up for this.

-Needless to say, I'm looking for another job right now and am really looking forward to putting in my two weeks notice. Me and this company just aren't a good fit.

Jordan Clifford > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 19:25

11

If you don't use bulb grease the blinker fluid will leak out!

Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 19:27

4

Welcome to retail, friend.

I worked several years at a part-time retail gig in high school. I had customers come in asking for "Mario games for the Playstation." When I would explain that Mario was an exclusive to the N64 at the time, they would say, "oh yeah, that one!" More often than I'd like to admit, they would come back upset that they couldn't get the cartridge to fit into their kid's Playstation.

People can be INCREDIBLY ignorant of the world around them. The near-total lack of curiosity about how the things around them work/behave on the parts of some people is frankly terrifying because these people have actual power over the lives of others.

It's not any better in any other retail, since you get such a broad cross-section of society in general. Best to just laugh at the craziness and move on. If it makes you feel any better, my wife is a physician and deals with some pretty dumb patients.

RickyD > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 19:27

0

Get into car sales, best part time job in the world.

wacopalypsenow > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 19:29

1

What guys like me really want from a salesperson is to be repeatedly asked: "Would you like to take advantage of our deal on Lucas Oil products? We're running a special buy-one get-one promotion." Then when I say "No." (repeatedly), they go on to tell me that; for instance, "Your transmission will go out sooner if you don't use an additive." To which I respond by smashing the display and walking off.

Rock Bottom > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 19:30

1

Welcome to the service industry. I sold auto parts at three separate companies over my college career and you just described an average day in any one of them.

Pro Tip: Try delivering pizza. The money's better and you can listen to your own music when you're in the car. Listening to that closed-loop that runs on the TV at every Mickey Mouse auto parts store will drive you mad. Also you only have to deal with undesirables for a few seconds at a time.

Vee Ate Injun > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 19:31

0

interesting tidbits from someone in the trenches. (btw, what's the incentive/business in recharging car batteries for free?)

what about the good stuff (if there is any)? any nice rides pull up into the parking lot? change any wipers on exotics? sell any bulb grease to celebs?

EL_ULY > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 19:33

5

Working at Vato-Zone one will learn very quick how FUCKING STUPID 90% of the population is when it comes to cars. Even working at a high end dealership parts department.

" I have a Mercedes "

Ok ma'am what year and model?

" its's not a truck its a car"

Ok ma'am that's fine, C-class, E-class?

" It's a black car, my mechanic told me it needs a hose"

* facepalm *

(call shop)

"oye esk ese carro nesecita la Hose que esta por el 'estrut' y donde chupa de la compresora, es madre no se como se llama, mandame un fax, no tengo el VIN number"

* sigh* :(

Not to mention 18-25 year olds that think they know about cars but don't have a damn clue. " I read on a forum " is my favorite line LOL tards

Cebu > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 19:45

1

Yeah, it sucks to work with imbeciles.

That's why I'm a highly employable sixteen-year-old that's still (by choice) unemployed, even though my mom keeps bugging me. I don't want my life to suck. My guess is if they let me work (play, really, given how much I love the stuff) at a hobby store, then it'll be all good.

I've got friends who are in Chick-Fil-A mode 24/7- automatically saying "my pleasure" after I thank them.

Also, what the hell is bulb grease.

Tom McParland > Cebu 12/02/2013 at 19:51

5

Those Chick-Fil-A kids are creepy...it's like a weird fast food cult or something....but i do love their fries.

-Amateur > Vee Ate Injun 12/02/2013 at 20:06

0

No incentive really, just most of the time their battery/ alternator usually is no good at that point and it's a good opportunity to sell them what they need. The good stuff; satisfaction of helping people with their problems, that's all I can report right now (It's only my first day). The rides were forgettable that I helped with. Just your average run of the mill Camry and such. I'm pretty sure someone with a Ferrari wouldn't be getting their parts from AutoZone lol...I don't even think we stock parts for exotics now that I think about it.

-Amateur > RickyD 12/02/2013 at 20:07

0

I will look into that, thanks!

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > EL_ULY 12/02/2013 at 20:10

2

Not to mention 18-25 year olds that think they know about cars but don't have a damn clue.

The flip side to that is asking for a part and being told it does not exist for the vehicle in question even though you are holding the old one in your hand that you removed yourself and showing it to the "parts expert."

— It doesn't list an oil pressure sending unit for an '87 Mercury Cougar with the full digital dash.

— Hmm. Really?! Try the following part # xxxxxxxxx

— Oh yeah, we have that.

— Yes I know. It's an oil pressure sending unit for an '87 Mercury Cougar with the full digital dash. Now go get it for me please........

I should have been thankful for Summit, Jegs, and the local speed shop (SK Speed) this Thanksgiving.....

Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark > Cebu 12/02/2013 at 20:12

1

Sorry to burst your bubble, but every job is filled with interactions with stupid people. My wife is a physician and regularly deals with stupid people.

It's not about avoiding stupid people, but how you're able to corral them and minimize their stupidity.

Vee Ate Injun > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 20:15

0

i'm pretty sure the Ferrari 458 shares wipers with the last gen Corolla.

(i could be mistaken and/or making it up, but pretty sure it's true because i just made it up...)

Bandit > EL_ULY 12/02/2013 at 20:17

0

Hey screw you, I'm 17 and consider myself much smarter than most of the workers at autozone. I constantly am looking for parts, the worker can't find it on the stupid program, I ask to search the computer myself, I find the part and revel in how awesome I am. (wow that reply makes me sound like an asshole, sorry).

TurboSloth > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 20:26

0

Me and my dad like to go to Pep Boys whenever we have to pick up an oil filter or some oil and like going to the after market section and having lols. Stores like these are full of the lols. Also, that's the life of a cashier man. I was a customer service rep at a supermarket, where I thought I wouldnt meet retards when it came to food. I was wrong.

TurboSloth > EL_ULY 12/02/2013 at 20:27

1

"I Read on a forum"

:*(

I use this line all the time.

Bandit > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 20:29

0

For two weeks in the summer I was at Autozone every single day looking for parts for my Trans Am. I got to see a lot the things that were like you described. Now my story: After a day or two of going to the shop I learned only to work with two of the guys on staff; the 40 year old head manager and a parts guy that had been at the store for 8 years and knew his stuff. All the other guys I dealt with were complete morons/ass-holes towards a 17 year old gear head. The two I deal with know me by name (it is quite sad really), don't pressure me into buying useless crap (and they will tell me if something I am buying is not necessary for my car or what a cheaper alternative is), and are happy to share their experience with me.

Side Note: It really pisses me off when they try to push products. When they (the moron crew) "suggested" I needed to buy bulb grease I asked them why the hell I would need it (I only bought a radiator hose) and their reaction was awesome. So much stuttering and stupid looks.

Secondary Side Note: The tool rental program is awesome

I hope you find a better job or things start working out at the shop. Nobody deserves to deal with the general public.

Bandit > Vee Ate Injun 12/02/2013 at 20:32

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I can't find it but I have a picture of some autozone workers helping a Maserati Gran Turismo owner install wheel spacers. It was quite a sight.

EL_ULY > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! 12/02/2013 at 20:53

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lol, never trust the computer, it makes a shit ton of mistakes :]

EL_ULY > Bandit 12/02/2013 at 20:59

1

lol yup, i never trust the computer. Its always awesome when I dont have to ask too many questions. Customer would come in say and know exactly what they want and guess what, I'll already know if we have it and how much. In and out, everyone is happy. But when little bro dawg yo slice pimp comes in with his hat backwards and with two of his friends (one with his hair in his face, and the other one a suburban gangsta lol) I already know whats about to happen :] They may be experts on their specific car but, Seafoam will not solve their P0420 code lol

His Stigness > -Amateur 12/02/2013 at 20:59

1

Car sales is a full time job, and if you think Autozone pressures you into selling shit the customer doesn't need, you won't like being a salesman.

EL_ULY > TurboSloth 12/02/2013 at 21:00

0

its ok buddy, we all have :]

RickyD > His Stigness 12/02/2013 at 21:04

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It really depends on where you work. Don't go franchise if you don't want to push people. I manage an independent for one of the largest dealer networks in CA. Find a place that needs you, not just a place that will hire you.

His Stigness > RickyD 12/02/2013 at 21:06

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What dealer network? I live in southern California and work as an automotive tech but am looking to change jobs within the industry.

Vee Ate Injun > Bandit 12/02/2013 at 21:58

0

hmmm.... wheel spacers on a Maserati?

RickyD > His Stigness 12/02/2013 at 23:08

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S & S auto sales. It is nothing amazing, but has choked the life out of all the indy dealers in the area. Not a great place to work necessarily. I was actually looking into moving to Jaguar Livermore next year. What type of job are you looking for?

His Stigness > RickyD 12/03/2013 at 01:45

0

Oh okay.

I'd like to try and stay in service and perhaps try being a service writer, or parts if I'm feeling super lazy, but I would like to try auto sales if there are good opportunities.

RickyD > His Stigness 12/03/2013 at 01:59

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Let me put it this way. If you want to be lazy, go salesman. The job is just talking to people and anyone with a shred of decency can make it. My salesman make a minimum of 2k a month if they don't sell anything at all, and that is difficult. During tax season when I did sales myself, it wasn't uncommon to make 8k+ from February to May. From an economic standpoint it is very lucrative.

His Stigness > RickyD 12/03/2013 at 02:08

0

Holy shit.

But the wonder I've always had is how hard do you have to work to bring sales in? To make really good money don't you have to build a network and keep calling people, or can you rely on just walk ins?

RickyD > His Stigness 12/03/2013 at 02:13

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My whole team is the laziest bastards on earth, and I do most of the appointments. Walk ins allow for a decent check, but you have to put your name out there. I have people who still call me from years ago even though I've switched careers twice since initially selling cars. To make big money you just have to be in the right place at the right time and find a company that is geared up to actually sell cars. You will find that most of the jalop/oppo my dealer this my dealer that topics are not uncommon by a long shot and that even a car with 20k miles can grenade for no good reason after a full service and safety causing someone to threaten with all the buzz words they can muster.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > -Amateur 12/03/2013 at 06:48

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As a consumer, one of my biggest turnoffs is when a cashier starts pushing the store frequent buyer card. I said no the first 2 times, asking again is just pissing me off more. I understand the cashier is getting pushed but marketing is filled with morons.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! 12/03/2013 at 07:09

0

Crazy VW brake reservior hose

Last summer I had lost the above part I had ordered and after looking for 3 hours could not find it. Weary of installing the gas tank and associated connections and leaving the 40 year old hose in place, I went searching my local auto stores. The response I got at both Advance and Autozone were

"kid there's no such thing as a rubber brake line. The brake fluid will eat right through it."

-"uh yes there is I even have the old one, the part number and a catalog that sells it"

"Kid whoever put that on didn't know what they were doing... I'm not going to waste my time"

"No one makes a brake hose made of rubber"

Both of these conversations went on for a couple minutes before I had to basically beg to have them search. Neither had it so last I tried NAPA. I was sure old grizzly guy was going to give me the same shtick, but just took the number and typed it in. The next weekend I had to do brakes pad/rotors on my moms car. I drove the extra 6 miles and paid the extra $40 because there was no way I was paying those assholes.

Stef Schrader > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 12/05/2013 at 01:30

0

I get it even worse because woman.

There's an O'Reilly's in my neighborhood that's gotten my repeat business for not assuming I'm clueless. It's the little things, y'know?

BayerischeMotorenLiebhaber > EL_ULY 12/05/2013 at 02:23

1

"oye esk ese carro nesecita la Hose que esta por el 'estrut' y donde chupa de la compresora, es madre no se como se llama, mandame un fax, no tengo el VIN number"

Is this shop a Firestone Car Care Center in West Houston, perchance? Because you've basically summed up my experience every time I go in there.

EL_ULY > BayerischeMotorenLiebhaber 12/05/2013 at 09:44

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lol, more like on Tidwell and Fulton :]

Buick Mackane > -Amateur 08/12/2017 at 17:27

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A while back, I needed some cheap tires and wheels for my Saturn SL2. I went to Pep Boys, they had some nice rims for about $50.00 each, agreed to buy them but first I asked them to take the wheels out of the boxes and show them to me so I could inspect them for any damage before they installed them. All the rims appeared OK so I had the wheels and tires installed. When the tire tech was finished, he parked my car in the lot and the service manager gave me my bill. I asked him to come out with me before I left to inspect their work and guess what I found? All four wheels had a 1/2 inch scratch on the rim, below the Schrader valve, where the tire tech had used his brass air hose fitting when filling the tires with air. I pointed this out to the Service manager, saying I haven’t even left the parking lot and I have a scratch on each of my wheels already. He agreed to knock off $10.00 on each wheel for a total of $40.00 discount. Does anyone think I was unreasonable?