Advance Auto Parts Let Me Down

[hattaresguy]

Your mistake was buying parts for a German car from a chain store. Should have just ordered the calipers online from a specialty BMW website.

Carquest is even better since they bought Worldpac.

Your mistake was dealing with idiots, that's what happens. AAP is good for rags and car wash, maybe an alternator for a Chevy if you get into a bind.

 

[rjundi]

So the kicker is you just this project for something to do and nothing was wrong where car needed the brakes.

Ouch what a waste of time all around.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
So the kicker is you just this project for something to do and nothing was wrong where car needed the brakes.

Ouch what a waste of time all around.


huh???? Nope, not at all - youre completely inaccurate/wrong. One caliper was slightly seized, the rotors which I had put on 10 years ago were cross drilled and clogged with brake dust, and had a decent groove worn into them.

Nothing wrong? Id recommend you know facts before making claims.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
I am surprised that you have not acknowledged at least a bit of personal responsibility for what happened or acknowledged that sometimes bad things simply happen.


Personal responsibility? I came in with greenbacks to buy a product which they told me they could supply, and using a coupon that they told me that they would accept. Note in my OP that one store said they would happily adjust prices to match online and other coupons as a courtesy, and the other store I went to yesterday happily took the coupon too.

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
- It's AAP's policy to only honor the coupon codes with online orders of items that are IN STOCK. That's just their policy and we all had a learning curve with that.


So I should take personal fault for their inconsistent execution of policies???

RIGHT on their computers is how they should discuss parts with customers on the phone, and it CLEARLY states that if a customer isnt willing to order a part right away, they should offer a PRICE MATCH. All the more reason why the behavior of the store is ridiculous.

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
- If you polled everyone here, there would be hate for one vendor or another for bad performance (mail order or brick & mortar). One employee can make for a bad experience and sometimes order mistakes happen. CHEAP is what our society wants over competency and adequate wages.

- The one mistake you made was poor planning. Had you mail ordered these parts, you would have done it over a week ago to guarantee delivery on time. Ordering on weekends is known to be more risky because vendors operate less efficient on weekends and holidays. Yea, AAP screwed up bad for you. Had you bought your parts a few days earlier, they could have made everything right for you before you needed the parts.


Wages, planning, etc., I have a reasonable expectation for them to provide the parts I needed, and given that THEY promised me a delivery time, it was solidified on THEIR part. Pep boys told me point blank that they couldnt get them before tuesday, and then shook my hand and were courteous for me coming in.

Youre right, I should ahve planned further in advance, but I had originally planned to just do pads and rotors. When I found a caliper that doesnt return as it should, and irregular wear on the pad and rotor, things changed. Getting a job done when there is availability of weather and time is an important facet too... Thus driving to the local guy, who DID PROMISE to be able to provide what I asked for.

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
-While your mistakes were the fault of AAP this time, getting parts for an old and uncommon vehicle should always put you on guard for possible delays.


There was no issue with delays. They were promised at a specific time, and they were there at the right time. The parts guy was wrong for ordering only one hose, but that was remedied... The issue here is a QA/QC process of checking that what should be in the box was in the box. They had another in the local warehouse. It will be here today (in the snow). Ive yet to see any indication that any third-party rebuilder from any "German parts house" (which is where I ususally order from) has any different/higher quality rebuilds and coatings than these.

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
This is a lesson learned for everyone to order parts early enough to correct any mistakes that are bound to happen. Others have had the same problems with NAPA, Carquest, Rock Auto, and on and on.

A letter with constructive criticism is what we all should do in these circumstances to effect change. Let us know how they respond. I do concur with you, it stinks when plans go wrong.


I will be sending a letter, primarily because of the poor QC/QA not with the rebuild (that is TBD but it is also lifetime warranty), but with not including hardware that should be in the box. Again note that I was in a rush here, and sometimes that happens. Any car repair shop needs to do jobs on a day by day basis, so there is nothing out of the ordinary here.

 

[stephen9666]

It's pretty well known by most of us that you shouldn't post a rant on the internet unless you're ready for some people to disagree with you.

I guess I don't see the point of the OP arguing with the people who disagree with him. The OP seems to believe he was wronged, not everyone on the forum completely agrees, apparently, and some think he should have done things differently.

That's the internet, for you. I don't know if arguing, trying to out-post other people or get the last word is the answer or is constructive.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Your mistake was buying parts for a German car from a chain store. Should have just ordered the calipers online from a specialty BMW website.

Carquest is even better since they bought Worldpac.

Your mistake was dealing with idiots, that's what happens. AAP is good for rags and car wash, maybe an alternator for a Chevy if you get into a bind.


So how about some evidence that nugeon rebuilds from pelican, worldpac, eeuroparts, etc. are better than the fenco rebuilds that I got.

Mine are painted grey and coated with an anti-corrosive coating. Ive seen some reports that the nugeon calipers need to be painted.

Nugeon rebuilds, which is what youll get from the German parts houses only are given three thumbs up from Pelican parts, a "good" rating... Not exactly reassuring.

Im not sold on the fact that besides the QA someplace in the process that left the bracket out, that Id do any different from other rebuilders. However, I am still upset that it is the fact, regardless of vendor. Ive seen lots bad on cardone, not necessarily anything either way on the others. So evidence would be helpful.

I like DIY rebuild, but after a seisure, overheat, salt and corrosion, sometimes having a real rebuild is a good move. It was here.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
That's the internet, for you. I don't know if arguing, trying to out-post other people or get the last word is the answer or is constructive.



Its a DISCUSSION forum. I can discuss viewpoints too. I dont have to agree, nor does anyone else. Doesnt mean that the points can't be discussed.

Its not attacking other folks, its discussion.

And I AM VERY interested in evidence that the quality of a rebuilt part from a German parts house is any different, or perhaps more importantly, better than that had from AAP or other local stores... since that point was made more than once that I should have bought elsewhere (which is what I usually do). Ive not seen any real indication one way or another, but perhaps others have. Thus why its good to discuss.

 

[supton]

This is why for a long time I didn't work on cars. Take it to a specialist, they know what parts to use--and can handle any gotchas that can arise in the middle of a job. And why I'll only dig into jobs when I have a spare vehicle to get around if I get bit by a gotcha.

I dunno, it's a VW. I feel icky buying anything for my VW at a local parts place. Once I figure something is wrong, I have to research to figure out what's the best way to fix, and what is the best parts; by then the weekend is over and so mail order works fine, no need to run around to parts stores.

 

[surfstar]

I find it much easier to find the parts myself and price shop RockAuto vs Amazon.

Local stores are higher priced and you have to deal with the counter clerks. Last resort if I need something 'right now'. Otherwise its online and much cheaper.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
I find it much easier to find the parts myself and price shop RockAuto vs Amazon.

Local stores are higher priced and you have to deal with the counter clerks. Last resort if I need something 'right now'. Otherwise its online and much cheaper.


I agree. And usually I buy from the more established online guys. Phil at Mercedesshop was the best because he could really source the best and harder to find parts. RIP Phil. Even many of the euro parts houses have work at home guys that are not really different from the counter clerks. We're discussing that over at the peachparts diesel forum (owned by Pelican).

This was a matter of necessity at the time, a little different from how I generally try to do things. I bought all the parts for my saab strut mount job weeks before I plan to do them... safely waiting in the basement. BMA did a godo job with price on that order...

 

[surfstar]

We also don't have AAP out here, so there's no great coupon deals for the most part.

Many well-planned repairs always succumb to Murphy's Law!

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: surfstar


Many well-planned repairs always succumb to Murphy's Law!


Absolutely!!

 

[bdcardinal]

I kinda wish we had Advance here, but then again I am glad we don't because they are a competitor.

FWIW if you hard ordered calipers from Ford they would not come with brackets, they are considered a separate service item from the caliper.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
I kinda wish we had Advance here, but then again I am glad we don't because they are a competitor.

FWIW if you hard ordered calipers from Ford they would not come with brackets, they are considered a separate service item from the caliper.


Interesting. The ones I bought were "with bracket" and I assume it is expected back with the core.

So I assume then that people buy it as a separate part number? I get that so long as the threads arent busted, it may be an extra part not needed... But at least on the ones I got, the item was repainted and coated, so at least it isnt as rusty looking, FWIW.

 

[bdcardinal]

They are a different part on Ford's end. Front calipers generally have a 2B120 or 2B121 basic number and rears are a 2552 or 2553. The brackets have a 2B292 or 2B293 basic number on the fronts and 2B511 on the rears. Sometimes the rear calipers come with brackets and sometimes they don't use brackets. On my 95 and my 14 there are no front caliper brackets because I have a fixed Brembo calipers.

 

[eljefino]

I'm glad yours are painted.

I put a new rebuilt caliper on my firebird before parking it for the winter. I think it was just sandblasted and never painted, so it's raw iron. We'll see if it rusts.

If you ever wondered what the $12.99 caliper is, that they list as "starting at", a 1989 firebird is that very app! It also seems to fit S10s.

After coupons my caliper was around eight bucks.

As for completion of orders, my advance is usually pretty good. The part that they keep screwing up on, is when I order a ten-pack of brake unions or line nuts. (They are $6/10 or $2 for one.) The part number is very close to that of the single union, and the parts puller doesn't go to the "pro" section for my bag o' unions.

Still, it's a great system. I can order online using my wife's name (we share a cc) and she can swing by the store on her way home from work, and get exactly what I want. Few to no other online/ B&M retailers are this well integrated. Or, should I say, I don't need the same from HD/Lowes/WM/the food store as I'm not in a pinch with a car in pieces.

 

[mcrn]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: mcrn
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
i'm going to also chime in, buying bmw parts at any local auto parts store that isnt bmw is well, frankly stupid.



especially the brakes


That's just stupid.

A rebuilt caliper is a rebuilt caliper, assuming it's coming from a reasonable reputable vendor. I made a last minute decision that I'd replace them because I had a feeling that one was dragging. It was. It's not like I'm putting chinesium lowest quality pads from aap onto the car. I still got a Girling caliper marked BMW, just like from any other source.

I'm doing this outdoors in the winter. Make hay while the sun shines is a good motto. Typically I buy from pelican (mercedesshop fastlane), bma, euro parts, etc.

What evidence do you have that the nugeon rebuilds from pelican are any better than the aap fervency rebuilds? Likely none. I'd prefer to rebuild myself with a kit, but time and timing weren't on my side. Plus the rebuilds are repainted and corrosion-protected.

AAP could have done multiple things to make me a happy customers and they didn't. That's the moral of the story.


I thought you would replace the pads and maybe the rotors?

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Your mistake was buying parts for a German car from a chain store. Should have just ordered the calipers online from a specialty BMW website.

Carquest is even better since they bought Worldpac.

Your mistake was dealing with idiots, that's what happens. AAP is good for rags and car wash, maybe an alternator for a Chevy if you get into a bind.


So how about some evidence that nugeon rebuilds from pelican, worldpac, eeuroparts, etc. are better than the fenco rebuilds that I got.

Mine are painted grey and coated with an anti-corrosive coating. Ive seen some reports that the nugeon calipers need to be painted.

Nugeon rebuilds, which is what youll get from the German parts houses only are given three thumbs up from Pelican parts, a "good" rating... Not exactly reassuring.

Im not sold on the fact that besides the QA someplace in the process that left the bracket out, that Id do any different from other rebuilders. However, I am still upset that it is the fact, regardless of vendor. Ive seen lots bad on cardone, not necessarily anything either way on the others. So evidence would be helpful.

I like DIY rebuild, but after a seisure, overheat, salt and corrosion, sometimes having a real rebuild is a good move. It was here.



I never said the parts are any better or worse, although IMHO usually they are are poorer quality. Rebuilt brake calipers are hit and miss anyway.

What really matters is not having to deal with the idiots that work at these places. I seek out parts stores that are not staffed by idiots who don't know anything beyond punching stuff into the computer.

Its all about the drama, I like avoiding it.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: surfstar
I find it much easier to find the parts myself and price shop RockAuto vs Amazon.

Local stores are higher priced and you have to deal with the counter clerks. Last resort if I need something 'right now'. Otherwise its online and much cheaper.


I agree. And usually I buy from the more established online guys. Phil at Mercedesshop was the best because he could really source the best and harder to find parts. RIP Phil. Even many of the euro parts houses have work at home guys that are not really different from the counter clerks. We're discussing that over at the peachparts diesel forum (owned by Pelican).

This was a matter of necessity at the time, a little different from how I generally try to do things. I bought all the parts for my saab strut mount job weeks before I plan to do them... safely waiting in the basement. BMA did a godo job with price on that order...


Phil was a fantastic guy he helped me when Bosch was screwing up their alternator rebuilds and putting M116 shafts into 603 alternators. They must have made a bad batch, I got like three.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: mcrn


I thought you would replace the pads and maybe the rotors? [/quote]

I did. I like Bendix CT-3, so while not as "euro" as going textar, pagid, jurid, etc., I figured Id give them a whirl. $18 on Amazon. Plus two Bendix rotors on there too.