AutoZone/NAPA

Should I order parts like, Carburator, Thermostat, Hoses, Radiator, Shocks,gaskets, gas tank... from Autozone or NAPA? Are they quality parts that fit properly? More expensive?

 

IMO Autozone is a discounter, and sometimes you get good stuff, sometimes not. Napa will be both good quality - name brand stuff sometimes rebadged as "Napa" - and expensive.

 

:iagree:

I never buy internal engine parts from AZ anymore. Ever since I bought a timing gear from them and the oil pump cam pin that was supposed to be a press fit just fell through the hole in the gear. They're good for external stuff, though. Like oil, light bulbs, batteries, hand cleaner, etc.

tommy b

 

My father runs, and used to own, and midas shopp, and said that most of napa's patds are good stuff, but their electronics stink. He's had so many problems with elecrtonics that he complained. The owner of the napa told him that Napa buys odd lost of electronics from who ever is cheapest and then re badges them. They end up with mostly foreign junk.

The things you listed should be fine, but stay away from their electronics.

 

:iagree: NAPA might be more expensive maybe not somethings are pretty close in price. The big difference will be in the knowlege of the employee. Autozone people are mainly cashiers and if the computer does not show it or they don't know what the part is they do not have the catalogs to try to find it for you.

 

X2 on Napa. I conviently have a Napa right behind the bank that I am building and lucky for me the Manager is rebuilding a '57 CJ. He always knows where to look and knows what I am looking for. But if for some reason I get one of the "kids" that works there, forget about it.

 

I have had good luck with both, and Advanced Auto Parts and O'Reillys. Just depends on the counter guy sometimes. AZ used to have hokey listings when it came to finding ECJ stuff via computer, but they seem to have updated their software.

Advanced has been able to find me most everything I needed to freshen up my V6. Never in stock, but always there in a day or so and never additional shipping. YMMV

 

Budget builder here stays away from Napa simply because of price, although on rare occasions they are the only ones around that have what I need. I shop around alot.

 

I have had good luck with Autozone parts including there engine kit. My problems with Autozone usually start with the counter guy. I go most of the time to a local NAPA or to a mom and pop shop thats been there for more than 50 years (1953), it was recently purchased by a jobber warehouse, the guy thats running it now dealt with the old owners for more than 25 years. The place still has the same great service and these guys carry helping you to a new level.

 

With the napa's around here, there is not one knowledgable person. They can never find my part. If they can find my part its either crap or the wrong part period. I don't think I have ever had one good experience with napa. I refuse to go there anymore. They must have been alot better in the past because I always heard alot of good things about them. Nowadays, I go to autozone or advanced for pretty much everything and never had a problem really. In most cases, the people at the counter take pride in knowing as much as they can and being able to help. And the warranties are awsome. Just bring it in and leave with a new one. I think I am on my 4th set of 20 dollar brake pads on my van. They have all been free, no questions asked. Its cheaper then replacing the caliper that keeps chewing em up.

 

I dont post here I just like to read but i find this topic interesting. I grew up in a parts store family. Ironically it was a NAPA. Hearing people's stories on where they shop and why as always intrigued me. Most of the storied people have can be accurate.

Not all NAPA stored are they same. Its a franchise so basically the NAPA store owner is just paying for the name. Yes I have been in some shady NAPA stores.

The electronics being crappy i dont agree with i have seen some bad parts in my time selling them but i have never personally had trouble with it. But at my families store we had a second line of electronics just in case made by another company.

On prices for parts I always think back on what i was told as a kid. You get what you pay for. In my home town the Autozone sucked. Like some of the posters above me have stated that they are mostly cashiers and dont know how to open a book to find a part.

But its always going to come down to what you want as a customer. Your going to have good and bad experiences no matter where you shop. As from being a counterman selling parts I have seen it all.

 

Ok, so the best answer must be; Shop around, see who is the most expensive and buy from them.

 

I hit NAPA 99% of the time. Two of the guys there are knowledgeable or at least willing to look it up, or hand me the book so I can. If I go to AZ they hear 1946, 1966, or 1971 and just stare at me.

It's only usually $1 or 2 more, but I am in there so much now they give me a discount and its cheaper R)

 

Just have to chime back in. Yes there are some bad NAPA's I have knowledge of that I until recently worked for NAPA not a franchise but Genuine Parts Company out of Atlanta. We were required to get training and most of us were ASE certified. As for price I agree you get what you pay for and what you want. Quality varies so much that you cannot go just by price, some parts economy is fine but when I comes to safety is a dollar or two worth your life or someone that is riding with you.
(sorry down off soapbox)

 

I am switching to NAPA. It is a bit further of a drive but I get the right parts and do not have to make a second trip or have to educate to cashier.

 

I've found that they'll price match. I've also been told NAPA is better, and especially if I can get them to price match...

 

I think it comes down to the counter people more then anything. I do have my preferred brands and go to the local parts store that carries them. Timken Bearings - Autozone; Purolator Filter-Advance Auto. Generallly I find Advance Auto to have some of the best availibilty of parts for my 75 CJ-5. When I lived in Houston - The Autozone People were helpful and knowledgeble. The Autozone people here in Louisiana, terrible..I avoid the store at all cost. I will pay more for parts with service and to support a local independant business. I think it's easy to forget in this Walmart-Made in China Age that it's not all about price.

 

I only have NAPA in my hometown in Canada, and they are a little pricey unless you can get a mechanic to buy parts for you. I was warned not to buy NAPA ujoints because they don't last. I put one in my wife's TJ last year, and exactly 12 months later took it out. The seals were intact, but needle bearings were powder. I actually broke the first one putting it in. Around here Spicer is the one to buy, albeit a little pricey. The TJ was off road twice in the Jamboree last June. We lost our knowledgable NAPA counter guy because they won't pay decent money. Big employee turnover, and no experience, most haven't been there a year.

Paul