Any Pep Boys or related auto parts workers?

[chevymotocross]

I just recently started working at a Pep Boys store as a parts counter employee a couple weeks ago. I previously worked at an auto body shop for 2 years detailing cars and have a good reputation with them, I just was seeking a change of work.... and a bit more pay. I'm graduating high school soon and plan on going to technical school for HVAC, since that is my future goal. Anyways, I can't believe the disorganization and horrible management.... at least at the pep boys I work at, not sure if the whole chain are run this way. Parts that show in stock, are MIA, no where to be found. Managers are never in the store, always outside somewhere having a cigarette, which stinks when you have customers wanting to return something, and you need a manager's password, and customers are sick of waiting. You also have the linked service department who needs parts every couple of minutes for the cars they are working on, and I'm pretty much the only person working the counter. Also, why can't this be an AUTO PARTS store, we have to waste time with go carts and fake dirt bikes. I really wanted to give auto parts a try for part time. Actually, I really wanted to work at a NAPA, but experience is required, and I guess that is why their stores have such a good reputation, plus NAPA only deals with auto parts, not go carts. Maybe I should work at the pep boys for a year and try a NAPA? Sorry for the ranting but pep boys is quite hectic, just wondering if anyone here works at an auto parts store or what you customers may think of Pep Boys.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Don't have them here, my mother does in MO, but she never uses them

[Longhorn Man]

get some time under your belt... and then go to NAPA.
However, they are still not perfectly organized... no one will be.
Keep on keepin on, become the best at what you do in the field you are doing it in.... show them you mean buisness. then, you'll be able to get a good recomendation which will help with a real store.(NAPA generally wants time under the hood too, but if you kick ass without that time... they'll overlook it)

[87 STEPPER]

We have PepBoys here and they Suk plain and simple.

I'm an aircraft mech. for DHL and they have a corp. account with them and we have to go there to get the supplies to maintain our work vehilces and when it's time to go there it's like a fight between everyone because no one wants to go there it's that bad.

Many years ago i worked at Notionwise auto parts and they were a pretty good outfit as far as parts and organization go's and they treated me good i was only part time but i went in thinking i know alot about auto parts and found out real quick how much there is to know about auto parts it's not as easy as alot of people think it is..

If i were you i'd quit and go work at AutoZone or Advance auto or some other parts store other than PEEPEEBOYZ!

Cuz it sound's like there abusing you there!

[Aarons72s]

All ours suck to! I only go there for seat covers and some odd stereo equipment. Went there once for some goggles for atv ridding, needed a pair for the next day and all the atv shops were closed.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

yea the pep boys suck here to, i go to autozone and kragen for parts since i dont have a napa anywhere close by

[SEVEND2]

yep same here Pep boys bites.. I shop online or Auto Aid (partsplus+) shops

I agree get a little time and experiance under your belt with them and move on. good luck with the HVAC classes, alot of companies out here are looking for that trade.

[RACINJASON22]

Only one close around here and it seems the same as all the rest.

I worked at NAPA for a couple of yrs right out of high schoola nd learned alot but The bad thing was that I knew alot about cars to begin with and the guys I worked with had not a clue.The Pay just isn't there for good long lasting employes that know what they are doing.

What I think also sucks is PEP BOYZ has a good idea with the in-store installation and bad management at alot of there stores. They let retail overrun customer service. like stated earlier I think they would rather sale a seat cover or that odd stero equip. than help the general public in the service dept.

I agree stick with the HVAC, learn what you can from PEP and move on as soon as possible to better employment elsewhere. At least hone your coustomer service skillz there if nothing else.

Man I guess i went on a rant myself

RJ22...

[FarmTruk]

Originally Posted by RACINJASON22

Only one close around here and it seems the same as all the rest.


What I think also sucks is PEP BOYZ has a good idea with the in-store installation and bad management at alot of there stores. They let retail overrun customer service. like stated earlier I think they would rather sale a seat cover or that odd stero equip. than help the general public in the service dept.

I agree stick with the HVAC, learn what you can from PEP and move on as soon as possible to better employment elsewhere. At least hone your coustomer service skillz there if nothing else.

Man I guess i went on a rant myself

RJ22...

Agreed on all counts. I won't even go into a PepBoyz for a quart of oil. Too much like an auto parts Wally World.

I've got a good counter man at both the local AutoZone and NAPA, and they get all my business.

Good Luck with the HVAC. Always good work there. People want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and that's a job which ain't going to be outsourced to India some day.

[68C15]

I start on Tuesday as a part time counterman at our local parts Plus. we do 75% of our business with them here at the shop. they are well organized and treat the employees well. I am highly optimistic. BTW, I have 3 years experience at a Bumper to bumper.

[cdowns]

the pepboys here did away with the help sections and alot of other self service maintenance aids they seem to be catering more to the out of the box customizer stuff, they told me 3hours to fix a flat tire, i'll probabally stop in again next year

[awc7772000]

haters i work at pep boys lol

[truckdude239]

I use to work for advance aauto parts and it was always like that

[C-10 simplex]

My local pep is actually ok even though it's a little depressing to walk in there due to the neighborhood it's located in.

But there is an "older" guy working the counter there and he really knows alot.

So i think the people at the store make the difference and not nessesarily corporate policy between a crappy store and a decent one. If you've got managers going outside to smoke all the time(and yes i've worked at places like that) this is not a good sign.


Try writing to corporate about your situation. Yes, it's doubtful that they would do anything, but i think the fact that you wrote in might make them think you are concerned and that might just be enough.

[70BLAZERX2]

here you go...I worked there myself years ago...did 20 front end alignments a day..in a 3 bay shop...Made real good money too..and bonus's and prizes...

This is what they call it around the Philly area...home office...lol

[awc7772000]

that's great and is it just me or does manny look like hitler ????
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[fryer1979]

Small chains and "mom and pop" stores are the only way to go for a good auto parts experience. We have a small chain that is pretty local to far northern Ca here in my town that is pretty much the only store I buy from anymore (I used to work there and the local Kragen too). The local store manager is a bit of a douche, but the few parts guys know there stuff and price matching is quite common. Typically, the smaller the buisness, the higher the motivation for a quality experience; working or shopping.

[sjarrett71]

I would suggest talking to the manager about your issues. Remember to remain calm and address the problems with ways to fix the problems. Inventory problems can be fixed and it doesn't take much time, just someone who cares enough to do it. Keep your head up and fix the problems you can fix, get to know the parts and the vehicles your customers have, and they will come back to speak with YOU. Just remember, you are there to sell parts and help your customers. You are not there to be someones punching bag or b!tc&.

[Shyguy]

I have never worked at a Pep Boys and only did a little shopping there when visiting California.

I worked at Auto Zone for about 3 years and O'Rielly's for about a year. I found if you had a good manager the store was great.

The Auto Zone store kept changing managers so most of the time the store was chaos. The O'Rielly's store had a real good manager, assistant manager and commercial guy. The store ran well and was always clean and organized compared to other stores in the area.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by awc7772000

that's great and is it just me or does manny look like hitler ????
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Godwin's law ...

[Shane]

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

I would suggest talking to the manager about your issues. Remember to remain calm and address the problems with ways to fix the problems. Inventory problems can be fixed and it doesn't take much time, just someone who cares enough to do it. Keep your head up and fix the problems you can fix, get to know the parts and the vehicles your customers have, and they will come back to speak with YOU. Just remember, you are there to sell parts and help your customers. You are not there to be someones punching bag or b!tc&.

Excellent advice and learn your BEST customers last names and use it every time you see them. "Hey Mr./Mrs. Jones ... how can I help today." You'd be AMAZED at how far this simple little act can go to establish reciprocating relationships.

All sales rely on relationships, regardless of the dollar amount.

[awc7772000]

Originally Posted by Shane

Godwin's law ...

hahahahaha fair call sir fair call

[cdowns]

it's three years later wonder how long he lasted at pep boys??