oldnslow

Why is NAPA so often recommended on this site? I have no better or worse luck with them than I do AutoZone or OReily's. Am I missing something?

318SixPack

Some of the frequent posters used to work there, some still do, and many people have good luck with hard to find things there. Seems to be about it.

I've had good luck there with oddball parts that are identical to OEM.

Corky

Consistent quality... A "limited lifetime" part doesn't matter when the part breaks every few years and needs replaced.. I'd rather just buy one and have it last.. Most times you're paying double the part's price for that warranty so they can replace it without losing out... Napa supplies a bunch of garages around here.. They don't want the repairs coming back... And no I didn't work for napa...lol....

Ralph77

For me partly cause I retired out of one.
While not a counter guy (back of store, deliveries, etc) I know my way around the computer pretty good and can look up my own parts when I go there for the most part.
Also when people do ask for stuff I know we sell I can find it on the website easy enough so I post the link.
I worked with some of the best counter guys in the business and this comes in handy.
Especially when I need some advice cause I have to think outside the box.
Oh and at my store they do not like to say they can't get it.
If they do trust me was not for lack of trying.
Cause we have other sources that are not through Napa that we deal with.
Plus I feel being not corporate owned means we have to try harder.
I will be the first to admit that Napa can expensive. But with my discount it makes the pricing more competitive so.....
Plus some things I want to buy locally.
If and when there is a problem just easier to deal with.
Front end parts, brakes, alternators and starters are some of the things that I will only buy from my store.
And I think the quality, for the most part, is up there.
Oh and when buying from Napa always go at least middle of the road.
If you have a choice of good, better, or best go at least better.
If good or better always go with better.
When it comes to electrical try to stick with the Echlin line whenever possible.
Like I said earlier I can get around in the computer looking up parts pretty good.
Have be looking over counter guys shoulders for years. LOL.
That being said at my store I would be an "eh" counter guy.
But IMO I would be a rock star at an Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts.
LOL.

exasemech

Compared to other retail store brands, adv..... etc, NAPA seems to have the " least worst" aftermarket parts.
the skills of the counter person depends on the individual store

UKXJ

If you're buying proprietary branded stuff doesn't much matter where you buy it, if you're going "own brand" NAPA seems to have the edge. Against that they don't have a store on every Main Street & retail park.

lawsoncl

Also depends highly on the counter folks.

The Autozone near me, they can't be bothered to come ring you up, don't really seem to know much, and the parts quality are so-so quality for being more expensive. The NAPAs near me have excellent counter guys/gals, and will ask important questions and offer advice. So NAPA generally gets my business when I need to buy local. I miss the girl at the Schucks though - gawky semi-emo girl with a hideous nose ring who looked about 16 going on 37, but owned the lifted YJ mudder out in the parking lot and damn did she know she know jeep parts!

Saudade

Matter of choice. Fortunately, I have quite a few auto parts stores within a few miles. AutoZone, Pep Boys, O'Reilly, Advance (more than one of each), and a host of small, lessor known shops and 2 major auto centers (including Jeep). AZ usually has stock at, at least, one of the stores, as long as there's a part number. My closest O'Reilly has a better "Help" section for those misc items. If I don't do mail order, I generally end up at AZ or O'Reilly. If that doesn't work, I have several salvage yards (too bad not a whole lot of XJs these days).

I haven't had any real issues with counter personnel at any of them.

Ralph77

Most Napa stuff is rebranded.
Pretty sure all Napa oil products are rebranded Valvoline.
Good hoses, belts, and the water pumps are rebranded Gates last I knew.
Our radiators used to be Spectra, I believed, but I don't think anymore.
Exhaust parts are Walker for the most part best I can tell.
Couldn't tell you about our brake parts though.
A long time my boss told me that our front end parts, the NCP line, were made by a factory for us.
He said the quality was so good that Moog tried to buy the factory but could not.
Couldn't really say if that was true though.

UKXJ

Pretty much what I suggested, might've known Ralph would chime in with the detail; which, of course, he's probably uniquely qualified to provide.

Seabee

For older guys like me they were the gold standard in our youth. I still have more confidence in them than other stores. I don't care about the price IF I get a good part!

UKXJ

Are we talking oil filters here?

Seabee

Cheeky Lad, aren't you?! LOL

UKXJ

oldnslow

There is an independant parts store in my little town ( yes, they do exist) but he is mostly supplied by Oreily's warehouse. This guy has been behind the counter for 40 years. He knows his stuff, but he also knows quality is hard to find. He will tell you if you ask, " is this a good part or should I spend more money?"

And he is more expensive on just about everything, but I feel like I am
paying for his knowledge and service.

Try calling Auto Zone and tell them that "you cant get there before they close and ask them to leave the part by the door and you will pay them tomorrow", or better yet, "can you drop that part off at my house on your way home? I am still at work".

But I am honest with him too. If he is double the price from Amazon, I will ask him if he can do any better. Especially on special order parts. I mean, he is buying it with
my money right, and I would rather pay a bit more and give the money to my neighbor than give it all to Amazon....