I wanted to let you know about my experience at this store yesterday and today. II think it important to note that these experiences are such that I will not shop in this store again, and will think twice before
giving business to Autozone in the future.

Yesterday I was working on my girlfriends car doing the front brakes, replacing rotors and pads. I had her call to see if the parts were available. She was told by a woman on duty that the parts were there, told a price and told that they would be ready for her when we got there.

When we arrived at the store, there was one employee outside, and two inside�at least I am guessing that there were two inside because the manager on duty seemed to be talking to someone in the back of the store while we stood at the counter waiting. He did not even acknowledge our presence. I chalked it up to general bad customer service and was not surprised. When he finally came to the counter, he asked what brake pads my girlfriend wanted�she had just gotten a price on the phone, no she had to go back through the same process, except this time she had choices? She was confused. Since the manager had not responded, I was choosing a car wash to add to the purchase, but had to hurry back over to the register and guess what, the manager was gone again when I got over there. I could almost hear the calliope music playing, it would have been funny, though it was frustrating as the consumer. When the manager came back, I told him we also needed lug nuts. He pulled up the lug nuts, and heard me saying that I did not want the type that the car came with, because they were starting to come apart. The manager was quick to tell me that he had the same kind.

Now, I am not new to autoparts stores, I know better. I asked if he did not have aftermarket chrome lug nuts. He said, �oh yes, but I am not sure they will fit with your wheels, � and then told me they were in aisle 4. When I got to aisle 4 and looked, all I could find were sets with locks. I picked a set of locking lugs and went back to the register and said that I wasn�t really happy, that I just wanted plain chrome lugnuts, and was surprised that Autozone did not have any. The manager replied, �we do, they are back here, but I am not sure they will fit with your wheels.� I asked him if I could see them. When he showed one to me, it was exactly what I was looking for and I told him I would take 10. Leaving the store I felt like he was totally lost and had run me around the store for nothing. I mentioned to my girlfriend how disappointing it was that all he seemed to know was what he looked up on the computer.

So, not that big of a deal so far, I got home put the car back together and started putting the wheels on. I found that one of the lugs had bad threads. Ok, so I would have to take it back and get a new one. This is where the story gets bad. I took the lug back to the store Sunday around noon. I did not bring a receipt because I just wanted to exchange a bad lug for a good one. I waited until it was my turn and explained this to the representative, He asked me for a receipt. I told him I did not have one and that I just wanted a new lug. He then told me that the store was out of that particular lug nut. I the was frustrated and told him I just wanted a refund. He asked for my receipt again. I told him again that I did not have it, and made the comment that this store was a joke, that I just wanted a refund so I could go get another lug elsewhere. He visibly got upset, did not suggest that I try the next closest autozone, just told me that he could only give me a store credit. I told him I did not want a credit and mentioned that the transaction could be pulled from the computer, that we had purchased 10 of the lugs just the day before. At this point he replied in a very agitated fashion that he did not have time for this and took the customer behind me to the next register leaving me to be even more frustrated. I of course asked to see the manager. The parts manager came over, again asked for the receipt and then told me that I would have to come back sometime the next day to talk to the store manager, as he could not refund the $2+.

Such a small amount, such bad customer service. In this economy, I would think that a store such as yours would want to increase it�s customer service. It is especially frustrating that I the consumer was not even given options, another store was not suggested, there are many in the Fayetteville area. I will not return to such a poorly run store that obviously does not care for it�s customers. If this is the case with me, I am sure it is the case with many others. I am just one that will share this because I certainly would not want that culture in my business.

Auto Zone requires a customers phone number at sale then gives/sells the customer's personal information. Three days after the sale customer's begin receiving sales calls trying to sell Security Systems. It does not matter if you don't own a home! They call three times a day. I have written to Auto Zone numerous times without a response and told them to take me off list, not call again and it stops for a week or two, then begins again.

I work for Auto Zone as a commercial driver (I deliver parts from Auto Zone to car repair businesses in a 50 mile radius). When I had my interview the manager said we would discuss the pay if I got hired. After 2 interviews I was hired for $8.00 an hour. He told me I would get hazard pay and periodic raises after 90 days. I put in my 90 days and 2 days before my 90 days was completed everyone else got a raise and I was told that I had to wait till next year to get my raise because I did not have my 90 days in at the time. I was steaming.

I went over and above what I was supposed to do. I kept all the trucks clean and made sure they were safe. Checked oil, tire pressure, etc... I cleaned the bathrooms in the store and made sure they looked neat and tidy. Nobody else seemed to do this which I found odd. I would be sent on errands in the company truck, such as, going to pick up carryout food for store employees (supervisors and managers included), going to do personal banking for the manager, sent to Walmart to get change because the manager forgot to get it ahead of time.

If any of this interfered with my lunch either my manager or my supervisor would ask for my password and clock me in and out. (I'm pretty sure that was not allowed). I was also asked to deliver parts during my lunch hour and on my way home. (I would leave to go home and call the store after I had delivered the parts on my way home and they would clock me out---And again I'm sure that is not allowed). When interviewed I was told that I would have to be able to lift 40 pounds. Some of the rotors and hubs and batteries weigh much more than 40 pounds. They have to be lifted. People have hurt themselves doing this and if they weren't wearing a back brace at the time they are screwed. I won't lift anything I can't and at times get into trouble for it.

At first I was working about 38 hours and sometimes went over 40 hours by a few minutes. Auto Zone does not allow any overtime so this was a no-no. Then when insurance enrollment came around my hours got cut down to under 30 hours. (With Auto Zone anything over 35 hours is considered full time). I was told by an employee at another store that they do this every year when there is open enrollment for insurance.

I explained to my manager that I could not afford insurance anyway because I was a single parent and had to use all of my pay just to pay my bills and get by. I was assured that was not the reason my hours were cut. I was told that business was slow and I would get more when it picked back up. I kept checking the numbers (amount of sales) and they were going up, not down. So I feel that I was lied to.

Mean while I kept getting further behind in my bills at home. Then when cold weather came my hours got cut even more. I am now down to 11 hours a week and at $8.00 an hour, that doesn't pay many bills. And every time I check the numbers they are right up there. Which leads me to believe there is no good reason to have my hours cut.

I watch the counter employees add items to the customers purchases, such as bulb grease, or belt dressing, etc..without their knowledge. I have heard the manager tell them to do it. I feel that it is wrong and the customer is none the wiser. I also have read that all the Auto Zones do this. There aught to be a law.

I am currently looking for another job while working my 11 hours a week at Auto Zone. Auto Zone does not give a rat's a-- about their employees so if you are looking for a job, stay clear of Auto Zone!!!