O'Reilly's Auto Parts

[Roadmarks]

Howdy,

I thought I'd pass along a positive experience with the O'Reilly's chain.

I needed a wiper motor for my '71 C10 and had shopped most of the on-line sites. I'd had good luck with O'Reilly's before, (complete turn signal/flasher assy for less than $35.00!) so I thought I'd give them a try. Sure enough they could get it and the pump, too. Motor - $49.99 with a $10.00 core, rebuilt by Cardone with a 1 year warranty. Pump by Anco, 26.99, no core, same warranty.

Both parts are 1/2 to 1/3 cheaper than on-line. No other local vendor listed them.

We here in North Carolina pay tax, but it is a LOT less than the $26.00 shipping I was quoted by a popular on-line vendor!

O'reilly's is pretty new in this area, but their prices tend to run 1/3 cheaper than NAPA and Auto Zone, and 1/2 of Car Quest's prices!

I don't work for them or own stock in them. I just thought my observations might help others.

best wishes,

Les

[fine69]

Ok, then why the thumbs down symbol?

[Shane]

Originally Posted by fine69

Ok, then why the thumbs down symbol?

exactly what I was going to ask ...

[Roadmarks]

I guess because I'm a dumba$$ and hit the wrong key! Sorry!

[Roadmarks]

Fixed now!

[kcsa75]

O'Reilly's is very popular in this area. In fact, they're all over the place. I agree the prices are great. The only downside is they have a lot of Dumbasses working in the stores. If you know what you need, you're usually OK. Otherwise, you're taking a chance.

I have a Car Quest just down the road from the house. I find the prices are comparable and being they are litterally attached to a regional distribution center, it's very rare something is out of stock, even on Sunday!

[AusTx68]

I hit my local O'Reilly's over any other place in the area. They keep a lot early parts in stock that I can't find anywhere else (locally) and I don't always want to wait for shipping.

But as was mentioned above, you have to get the right person behind the counter when looking for parts. Some folks don't know anything beyond what's on the computer and have no experience with vehicles older then 1990! One other thing, just because the box is labeled 19xx Chevy Truck doesn't mean it's the correct part. I was given the correct brake calipers as labled but the part inside was for a later model truck. This has happened at least 3 separate times. One was ball joints and the other control arm bushings.

[nickp51chevy]

Originally Posted by kcsa75

O'Reilly's is very popular in this area. In fact, they're all over the place. I agree the prices are great. The only downside is they have a lot of Dumbasses working in the stores. If you know what you need, you're usually OK. Otherwise, you're taking a chance.

I have a Car Quest just down the road from the house. I find the prices are comparable and being they are litterally attached to a regional distribution center, it's very rare something is out of stock, even on Sunday!

I've noticed the same thing about O'Reilly's. Most of the people that work there tend to be kids that don't know what they're doing. I did take a chance and bought a carb rebuild kit. The person helping me said "I don't know how this computer works. I hope this is the right kit." Really? That was the last time I went there for anything. Luckily it was the right one.

[Ms Bright]

I had a front tire blow out on my Harley and an O'Reilly's truck stopped. He called a bud w/ a trailer who hauled me to a shop where I could get a new one. No charge. I try and buy at O'Reilly's when I can but only when I know exactly what I need or if the old guy's there...

[man-a-fre]

Lately i've had a few problems with them not holding up there part of the deal on lifetime warranty parts.Alternator bearings were squeaking horribly loud but still charged so they wouldnt warranty it till it went out.I'm no longer a oreilly customer here locally due to them trying to get out of there lifetime warranty stuff.

[NONHOG]

I had good service the other day they matched up a hose for me to the steel line I fabbed up. I was pleased.
The day before at a different O'Rielly's and it was like pulling teeth to find a air filter for a Weber carb. It took forever and I left empty handed but the kid was nice and he tried.

[mr48chev]

We have a lot of them around here and it all depends on which store you go into as to how experienced the counter people are. The one I usually go to that has the (speedshop) in it has some pretty sharp counter people and a couple of duds. The other good one in town caters to shops and has some good people.
The good thing about them is that you can go online, look up the part check the price and buy it online if you want and pick it up in the store without the counter guy or gal having to look it up for you.

The NAPA here in town that I go to has one top rate counter guy who has been at it for a long time and is doing a good job of training the young gals who work with him. But it pays to hunt around for a parts house that has good people working there even if the price isn't the cheapest.

[LEEVON]

They're based in Springfield, MO. I know folks from corporate and we were selected to bid on their corporate HQ last year (did not win). Believe me though, the parts counter mentality is the same here as the rest of the country.

My local store has a wide range of knowledge and attitude. Seems the guys with the knowledge usually have bad attitudes and vice-versa though. I've make it a point to make one guy my friend, know his name and BS with him and know what days he works. Makes my life there much easier.

[camjck89]

agreed, there are a lot of advanced and autozones around here and most all of them has some employees that are not up to par, however, there is usually one, older/ really young guy that knows his stuff, dont really know whats up with that i guess their either are good from the beginning and then leave to better companys and the older guys are still there from when you trusted a auto parts store, remember that? but yea theres one orileys and one napa, and there great to work with. not to down play autozone cause ive had managers be very helpful in the past

[Shyguy]

I usually start on a store's web-site when I need a part and get the part number. One thing good about O'Rielly's is they can get a part that is ordered the next day, the only day there is not a delivery is Sunday.

It really depends on which store a person goes to and which employee helps them.

Since I worked at auto parts stores for 5 years or so I tendency to be more tolerant then other customers, I guess.

I do have certain sales people I have wait on me, that way I get better service. The sales people have three resources to find the right part, the computer, parts books and a technical hot-line.

I am sure other parts stores have similar resources.

Also I try not to go there during peak customer times.

[MAK191]

Most of the time I do the work looking up the part numbers before I go in. Otherwise they easily mess things up. It's pretty much that way for all of the parts stores in my area. Plus with some of them I can see if they actually have the part in stock.

[timjt]

You got to know the right one to go to here... theres four in my area and I know the guys at two of them, they know what there doing. However, last week I bought a radiator for my 85 and it looked allright but it didn't come with rubber gromets and the original ones didn't fit, I had to use some thin rubbe pipe and even then the brackets didn't line up, ended up ziptying it for a temporary fix

[Panelman55]

We get an employee discount at the local O'Reilly's here. I was told it was because the Company had an account and we are allowed to use the company discount. It helps the company and it helps us too. I've gotten parts from them and they are a help on things you just need information about. I let them install a new battery in my DD just a few weeks ago. Then I purchased a set of CV axels and some other stuff. They stock a good bit of stuff and are really nice folks. Just my .02.

Panelman55

[tanman722001]

i also had good luck with them.Almost all other parts stores around me have kids working them that doesnt now there butt from a hole in the wall

[Ackattack]

When I lived in KS, O Riely's was my first choice for a parts store. When I moved to WA, there wasn't any Oriely's here, so I went to Autozone and Napa usually.

I tried Schucks out here, and they seemed horrible. The Napa guys are the most knowledgable, but sometimes a little more expensive. However our local napa has a local discount card that saves 10%, so I shop there.

Recently Schucks has been taken over by Oriely's. The other day I stopped in to the new oriely's and was pretty happy with their service.

[breezy]

Well I'm not going to say a whole lot since I work for the green mafia. 12 yrs there and over 20 behind the counter somewhere selling parts. The help boils down to this for me. You get what you pay for. Kids are cheap. Good help usually have house payments or a family, they need good money. There are 4 large companies in our town. They pay very well for standing in one spot and plucking feathers or what not. I am the last guy left at my store from the 12 years I've been there. They come and go and grip because it seems I'm rich or somthing. If they would stay in one spot it will come to them. Also I come from the old days where people trusted other people and didn't think everyone's out to get me. Lifetime brakes still wear out, that's why I have them for sale. If you wear them out then there lifetime is over. It's not rocket science. The more the system is abused like this the less profit is made and that means no money for good help. So the next time you go to any parts house and grip and moan about getting screwed on the warranty remember you will pay in the long run having some idiot look up your wrong parts.I love the parts business that's why I still do it. I have people come in the back door looking for me cuz they don't even want to see the front counter help. We do have limited access to parts mostly because I can get you anything you want. Hey you want a cheese burger I'll make it happen. Now I get it and you tell me they have one up the street for half price. I'm so glad I went out of my way to help you. It won't happen again, go to the other place for awhile. They always come back. But please do any parts house a favor. If they spend some time and find your points for your onan generator or whatever you drag in the door. Pay for it with a smile even if it seems a little high,and be glad they helped you. Everyday I hear about cheap parts. Well the customer brought it on them self. CHEAP CHEAP AND CHEAPER YET. Remember you get what you pay for. Ok I'll get off my soapbox.

[57larry]

good to know about the wiper. thanks

[68anniversary]

Originally Posted by nickp51chevy

I've noticed the same thing about O'Reilly's. Most of the people that work there tend to be kids that don't know what they're doing. I did take a chance and bought a carb rebuild kit. The person helping me said "I don't know how this computer works. I hope this is the right kit." Really? That was the last time I went there for anything. Luckily it was the right one.

I work for Oreilly's and I can sympathize with you. We do have a few kids that are new, but we are happy to give a kid a job. You have to understand nobody is going to get rich working for a Parts store so new people and turnover are a way of life.

I just want to say I go out of my way to help customers find parts for their classic and antique cars. We have a lot of old cars running around our area and I like to think we do our best to keep them from the crusher.

So maybe next time be patient with that kid behind the counter, Im sure he is trying to do the best job he can. BTW I work with several women also, one of which does mechanic work on the weekends.

[berencam]

i miss my old parts store in branson mo(orielys) .... i went there so often, they let me open an account with them to get discounts on certain items, even though i didnt run a business. They would also let me use their computer and catalogs and pull my own parts... because half their employees where kids, and they knew i would be able to get everything i needed faster than they could have!

[BOOFIRE]

Easy boys, All the slamming of the people at O'Reilys. You have to realize the corporate structure for places like this is to keep costs low. Biggest cost is payroll. So yes in the automotive world this is a starting point, an entry level position. Every now and then you find a jewel in the rough. Just please be patient in the mass market auto parts stores. They see a lot of customers with a lot of different vehicles. You know and love what you have. Just be patient. I ask this out of respect for the industry. I was a Parts Manager In GM dealerships for over 15 years before I spent time as a Service Director. Now I oversee a large wholesale parts distribution center. Once upon a time i was that stupid kid at the counter.