Auto Zone in Leonardtown

GopherM · 06-08-2008, 04:25 PM

needs a kick in the butt and some management training. Went in there today to buy a headlight bulb. There was a manager and three associates "working" at 11 AM when I entered. One associate was helping a customer and everyone else was pretty much in the do nothing mode. One associate saw someone he knew in the parking lot and went out to help him. Another associate came to stand over the shoulder of the only guy working and watched him open a box and inspect the parts he was helping a customer with.

Once I searched the store and found what I needed (with no assistance offered) I headed to the counter to pay. I stood there for about a minute or so (no sign of help from the guy watching his co-worker inspect the box contents) and the manager seemed to be heading for the cash register where I was standing.

Just then the worker that went outside comes rushing back into the store and intercepts the manager and they get into a discussion on whether the widget they had sold the young man earlier was the right part or not. The manager almost made eye contact with me, but still managed to ignore me while he inspected the widget. He didn't direct the worker with him to help me while he sorted through his mental widget identification process nor did he ask the other associate intent on examining the box over the shoulder of the other worker to help me.

After standing there for another three minutes, I placed the headlight bulb back on its little peg, left the store, and drove 10 miles into civilization and spent less than 2 minutes in the store to find what I needed, pay my bill and leave.

Yep...I could have spoken up and asked for someone to help me, but I don't feel I should have to beg for a vendor to take my money. One customer getting service at the counter and me waiting to pay with a manager and three associates in the store shouldn't require a customer to run up a red flag to get help or pay for merchandise.

Get your head out of your backsides Auto Zone,

some of us are old and crabby and are perfectly willing to drive a ways to get the service we expect.

*BS Gal* ^(Premo) · 06-08-2008, 04:43 PM

I guess I won't get my windshield wiper blades there at lunch this week. I'll go to the one by Sheets. They are always really helpful. Last time they installed my blades for me in the parking lot.

czygvtwkr · 06-08-2008, 04:46 PM

Advance Auto is better anyway. Auto Zone is full of nothing but *Bling* for kids.

GopherM · 06-08-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czygvtwkr

Advance Auto is better anyway. Auto Zone is full of nothing but *Bling* for kids.

You got it. Advance Auto by Kmart is where I ended up. Combined a trip for gas (before it peaks again) and the headlight bulb to not be a complete idiot about driving so far.

Penn · 06-08-2008, 05:35 PM

Normally, Autozone associates are quick to assist customers who enter the store, looking for help. There's a red tape line on the floor, about 10 feet inside the front doors. They are supposed to greet you, and ask what your needs are by that time.

Can't say, or explain what the problem was, but somebody wasn't doing their job. Try the California store.

GopherM · 06-08-2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penn

Normally, Autozone associates are quick to assist customers who enter the store, looking for help. There's a red tape line on the floor, about 10 feet inside the front doors. They are supposed to greet you, and ask what your needs are by that time.

Can't say, or explain what the problem was, but somebody wasn't doing their job. Try the California store.

Didn't appear that anyone was doing any kind of job for me. To be fair, I have been in to the same store before and had good service.

*aps45819* ^(Premo) · 06-08-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penn

Normally, Autozone associates are quick to assist customers who enter the store. Try the California store.

That store has this weird old perv that works there

Penn · 06-08-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aps45819

That store has this weird old perv that works there

They gotta work to pay the bills too!

hammishsqueak · 06-08-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aps45819

That store has this weird old perv that works there

Oh, God, I think I know who you're talking about!

*kris31280* ^(Premo) · 06-09-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BS Gal

I guess I won't get my windshield wiper blades there at lunch this week. I'll go to the one by Sheets. They are always really helpful. Last time they installed my blades for me in the parking lot.

All Autozones are supposed to do that. They will also change your air filter for you.

06-08-2008, 04:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
GopherM Darwin was right Member Since: Apr 2005 Location: Leonardtown Posts: 1,241	Auto Zone in Leonardtown needs a kick in the butt and some management training. Went in there today to buy a headlight bulb. There was a manager and three associates "working" at 11 AM when I entered. One associate was helping a customer and everyone else was pretty much in the do nothing mode. One associate saw someone he knew in the parking lot and went out to help him. Another associate came to stand over the shoulder of the only guy working and watched him open a box and inspect the parts he was helping a customer with. Once I searched the store and found what I needed (with no assistance offered) I headed to the counter to pay. I stood there for about a minute or so (no sign of help from the guy watching his co-worker inspect the box contents) and the manager seemed to be heading for the cash register where I was standing. Just then the worker that went outside comes rushing back into the store and intercepts the manager and they get into a discussion on whether the widget they had sold the young man earlier was the right part or not. The manager almost made eye contact with me, but still managed to ignore me while he inspected the widget. He didn't direct the worker with him to help me while he sorted through his mental widget identification process nor did he ask the other associate intent on examining the box over the shoulder of the other worker to help me. After standing there for another three minutes, I placed the headlight bulb back on its little peg, left the store, and drove 10 miles into civilization and spent less than 2 minutes in the store to find what I needed, pay my bill and leave. Yep...I could have spoken up and asked for someone to help me, but I don't feel I should have to beg for a vendor to take my money. One customer getting service at the counter and me waiting to pay with a manager and three associates in the store shouldn't require a customer to run up a red flag to get help or pay for merchandise. Get your head out of your backsides Auto Zone, some of us are old and crabby and are perfectly willing to drive a ways to get the service we expect. __________________ :jet: Light travels 93 million miles from the sun to the earth and I am the only thing standing between the sun and my shadow. I'm always getting in the way of something.
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06-08-2008, 04:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
czygvtwkr Boing Boing Boing Member Since: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,394	Advance Auto is better anyway. Auto Zone is full of nothing but Bling for kids.
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

06-08-2008, 05:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Penn Dancing Up A Storm Member Since: Aug 2002 Location: Great Mills Posts: 16,067	Normally, Autozone associates are quick to assist customers who enter the store, looking for help. There's a red tape line on the floor, about 10 feet inside the front doors. They are supposed to greet you, and ask what your needs are by that time. Can't say, or explain what the problem was, but somebody wasn't doing their job. Try the California store.
	[ Reply w/Quote ]

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