Used Auto Parts Stores

Q.I was wondering how many of you tend to come across hassles at auto parts stores when attempting to return or exchange things? I used to pick up auto parts from autozone stores, but it was always a hassle to return things. If there was something I ended up not needing, when I'd go return it, they'd be interrogating me, like if it's THEIR money that they are losing. I mean, it's autozones product, not theirs. Like one time, I decided to return a transmission filter that I did not need. When I bought the filter, there was a tiny rip in the box that it was in. No big deal though, as there was nothing wrong at all with the filter itself. When I returned it the next day, I was given a hassle by the manager (he did not work the shift when I bought the filter), who complained about the rip in the box, saying "looks like you really ripped this up". I explained to him that it was already that way, as that is how it was handed to me. He didn't say anything in reply to that, but mumbled that he had to finish up business with another customer, before getting to refunding my money. Someone else ended up handling the refund, as he didn't get back to me. I eventually got the refund though, but I did not like the attitude of this manager. But the way I see it is, it's not like it's their money, so why are they making a big deal out of something so petty? I wouldn't have gotten that kind of hassle at retail stores like Wal-Mart. Some of these people at the auto parts are such hard asses on returns, like if it's THEIR stuff. . Yesterday, I picked up an impact screw driver from another auto parts store, O'Reily's. I'm thinking about using it to take unscrew the bolts on the brake drums , and then returning it afterwards, telling them I don't need it. The impact driver came in a plastic package stapled on cardboard, so I had to open that up to get it out. I wonder if I now return it, if they'll give me a hassle on the refund because it's an "opened item". Now, I'm thinking I shouldn't even bother returning it, even though I'm low on money and could use it for gas. But I was wondering when you return things to the auto parts stores in your area, if you come across these kind of hassles? And have you had to report some of these people to their regional offices?

A.I've never had a problem, but then, I don't use my parts suppliers as a source of "known good parts." When I return something it's because they sent the wrong part, there were two application choices and eyeballing them was the only way to determine which one was needed, or, some numbnuts had already installed it on their car and returned it for a refund. Yup, everyone knows that Autozone (and probably all other suppliers) merely have to snatch up all those auto parts that fall off of a tree somewhere and then hand them over to you at an exorbitant price. it's not like -they- actually have to pay for them is it? Well, try running a business where all that happens is people return stuff and see if you make a profit, if you do, more power to ya, cause you're smarter than anyone else on the planet. Great, then you don't mind buying underwear with someone else's shit stains in them already. To each his own I guess. The one time that I had to return something was at Autozone. It was a set of wheel locks. I was putting them on my truck when the key stripped. Yeah, it stripped after putting one lock on. We couldn't get it off either. Next day, I took it to my mechanic and he got it off. Used some weird looking socket with a spiral inside it that cut into the lock and he was able to take the lock off. He got a set of them from Snap-on Tools for about $450 or so. Anyways, the manage gave me a hard time because I returned it damaged: One of the locks had a spiral cut in it (The one that I had to have professionally removed), and the key, which was stripped, and no, I didn't use an impact wrench. I explained to him that the key stripped after only one wheel. He still said that he wasn't going to refund my money. I pulled out the invoice from my mechanic and told him, more like threatened him... "Either you refund my money, or I take you to court and get my refund, court costs, and the rembursement for my cost of having my mechanic remove your defective product." I shoved the invoice from my mechanic in his face. He refunded my money.

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