Advance Auto Parts' website - annoying!

[mrsilv04]

There's something annoying about AAP's website.

I'm wanting to buy some NGK stock # 5422 spark plugs. When I go to the AAP website, choose a store, and type in 5422, it asks me for year, make and model of vehicle.

Now, how do I enter 1995 Kawasaki TS550 JetSki in a way that it will understand? There's no way. And this is not the first time that I've been stopped by this annoying query. It happens when I buy parts for the John Deere tractors as well.

I opened a chat session with their customer support, and laid out the above scenario. I was told that the website works that way, they're not going to change it, and to pick up the phone and call the store.

When I already know the part number that I need, then why do I need the approval of their website as well?

In the chat session, I told the support rep that AutoZone's website doesn't have this annoying "feature", and that AAP is losing sales over it.

He then asked me if I wanted to fill out a customer satisfaction survey... HA HA HA. RIIIIIIGHT.

AutoZone 1, AAP 0.

 

[PontiacFan]

I would just call the store up. JMO

 

[cmf]

About a year ago I placed an order at AAP and went to the store to pick it up. On the website it says to bring the credit card you made the charge with to verify the order etc. They usually never ask for it, but this guy did, he swiped it, gave me a receipt and I signed. A few days later I see a charge on my account for the same amount as the one I made online, with the online one still being there. I contacted AAP and they told me I had to travel back to the store, pick up my item, and then immediately return it. And that they could not refund my order price online because it would mess up their inventories.

Definitely the worst customer service I've experienced. And how they don't have access to change their own inventory is beyond my comprehension.

 

[OilNerd]

I hear ya about the web site.

I know this is a pain, but it works -- use Google site search:

NGK 5422 site:advanceautoparts.com

Add it to your cart and you should be good to go.

 

[David S.]

I agree being forced to enter the year, make, model, and engine for a vehicle before searching for parts is annoying. There is a work around.

Go to Amazon.com and search for the part number(s) under Automotive. Scroll down and click on "See all vehicles this product fits" to bring up the compatibility chart. Then from that list go back to the AAP website; enter the year, make, model, and engine; and search for the item. Done!

For example search for 5422 at Amazon.com, click on the "See all vehicles..." link, and one of the choices is:

• 1984
• Renault
• Fuego
• 1.6L L4

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/compatibility-chart/B000WJNTWK/ref=au_pf_dp_chart

At AAP enter these as your car, search for spark plug, and there is your result.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/...S_542755873____

I like to use longer oil filters on my Saturn S-Series engines and at the AAP website I need to identify my car as a PT Cruiser so that it will permit me to get the oil filter I really want, thanks to the tip from Amazon.com!

 

[JohnMcD348]

I agree. The only reason I use their website is due to the good deals you can get by using the online coupon codes. The way they require a specific vehicle in order to get the parts you want is outrageous and a horrible idea. They should allow an option to pick up/ order parts without being vehicle specific. I own a '92 Bronco with a 4.9L(300) and there are many other parts that were not put on that engine, but were put on other '92 Ford 4.9L's such as the Econoline vans and heavy duty pickups that will work well or better but were not a listed item on my Bronco.

Also, their search function and database in general is horrible. I needed to replace my exhaust system on my Bronco and searched for the Walker replacement system and could not find it. I had the part numbers and still could not find it. However, I Googled the item and the second link in the results was the AAP parts site WITH THAT PART NUMBER??????

If it wasn't for the 40% off I was getting for it with the coupon codes, I would have gone elsewhere.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: OilNerd
I hear ya about the web site.

I know this is a pain, but it works -- use Google site search:

NGK 5422 site:advanceautoparts.com

Add it to your cart and you should be good to go.


I like this, and have saved it as a bookmark for future use.

Thanks, OilNerd!

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: OilNerd
I hear ya about the web site.

I know this is a pain, but it works -- use Google site search:

NGK 5422 site:advanceautoparts.com

Add it to your cart and you should be good to go.


I use this method all the time to find stuff on annoying web pages. It really is a golden tip.

 

[fdcg27]

The AAP site is a bit of a PITA to use.
It's slow, even with a fast connection.
When I know what I'm looking for, I don't enjoy playing the "what car is it for" game.
Were it not for the coupon codes, I wouldn't bother.
Rock, OTOH, has a great site, and it runs well even on a slow connection.
Problem is that you can always get 5% off with Rock, but rarely more, and shipping sometimes kills you, while you can usually get 40% off with AAP, and shipping is free on orders >$75.00.
Overall, AAP is worth the hassle for the discounts.

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: OilNerd
I hear ya about the web site.

I know this is a pain, but it works -- use Google site search:

NGK 5422 site:advanceautoparts.com

Add it to your cart and you should be good to go.


I use this method all the time to find stuff on annoying web pages. It really is a golden tip.

+1

 

[OilNerd]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
I like this, and have saved it as a bookmark for future use.

Thanks, OilNerd!


You're welcome. Glad it worked out for you.

 

[MetalSlug]

Im buy everything from online store, and using discount code, then go store pick it up. Some time I got email say " your item is ready to pick up " but I already did few day ago, and my credit card is not charge yet, so I call the store saying im already got the item, so go ahead and charge the card. happent to me many time, but im alway call the store say that I already got it.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: MetalSlug
Im buy everything from online store, and using discount code, then go store pick it up.


I've been doing the same thing, but find the site very annoying!

 

[Slick17601]

I would agree, the AAP website is a great example of how NOT to program a website.

 

[Sayjac]

In my experience the site works very slowly on older computers and/or slower internet connections. I have an older desktop computer and the site works slowly, faster on my newer laptop. However I've used it from another work station away from home on a fast internet connection and it works just fine. As similar has been discussed on the promo board previously, iirc eljifino(member) said something about the java content of the AAP site.

I too though dislike the pop up that asks for your vehicle information, unnecessary in many cases. That should be removed or made voluntary.

All that said, when comparing the savings at AAP with the use of codes, to AZ, not even close. AZ has zip for online savings.

And when AAP was going through it's "glitch" phases, some Bitogers made some really incredible/unbelievable scores. Even better than the up to 40% codes that are readily available. Wasn't too much complaining then, except from those that missed out.

Just sayin.

 

[DirtyApe]

Same here .. Maybe I know what I want and need and the insisting of entering something it needs to fit is ANNOYING!

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: PontiacFan
I would just call the store up. JMO



+1

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: PontiacFan
I would just call the store up. JMO



+1


No offense to anyone who may work at AAP, but...

Honestly, there's just some days that I DON'T want to talk to the people behind the counter, over the phone.

 

[NHHEMI]

The issue with calling the store up is it does not help you order online. The promo codes can only be used online. The stores can't help you with online orders other than to pull them and hand them to you when you walk in. All they can do is the in house sales.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
There's something annoying about AAP's website.

I'm wanting to buy some NGK stock # 5422 spark plugs. When I go to the AAP website, choose a store, and type in 5422, it asks me for year, make and model of vehicle.

Now, how do I enter 1995 Kawasaki TS550 JetSki in a way that it will understand? There's no way. And this is not the first time that I've been stopped by this annoying query. It happens when I buy parts for the John Deere tractors as well.

I opened a chat session with their customer support, and laid out the above scenario. I was told that the website works that way, they're not going to change it, and to pick up the phone and call the store.

When I already know the part number that I need, then why do I need the approval of their website as well?

In the chat session, I told the support rep that AutoZone's website doesn't have this annoying "feature", and that AAP is losing sales over it.

He then asked me if I wanted to fill out a customer satisfaction survey... HA HA HA. RIIIIIIGHT.

AutoZone 1, AAP 0.


I have run into the annoying popup asking for vehicle info as well. Actually, you can do it right on their site and avoid it. No need for searches elsewhere or using other vehicle info to get what you want. The key is adding the mfg as well as the part #. You need to be sure you add ngk to start or champion or bosch and so on and then the number.

NOTE - will not bypass the popup with E3 plugs for some reason? works with the other brands they sell though.

So go to aap.com and in the search window don't enter 5422 but rather ngk 5422. It will pop up showing an NGK plug and it will give you a box to enter a zip code to check store availability.