O'Reilley's plug
 

In the interest of passing on good customer relations.

In August of 2006, I replaced the climate control blower motor in my GP with a unit from O'Reilly's, last fall, between it working when I needed the air conditioning and not working when I needed heat [October or so?], that unit crapped out. I weathered the cold, getting by on my heated seat, this winter, and now that spring break rolled around I had time to pull that effer out [a bit of a PiTA without a garage].

Tracked down my receipt, noticed the fine print said '1 year warranty,' but seeing as the OEM lasted 7 years and this one lasted little over 2, I figured it couldn't hurt to see if I could get a little off with a little pleading [it was $90 new, a figured $60-$70 would be fair and would buy some good will as O'Reilly's was relatively new to the area, which is saturated with AutoZones [I bought the last one in Belton].

At first the manager gave the company line, we won't recoup anything from the manufacturer, nothing we can do, etc. Then he pulled up my particulars. It must've held my long time history [O'Reilly's was THE place for the BL fam growing up], he called in to their customer service, mentioned that I was a 'long time customer. They [according to him] said they'd likely not recoup anything from the manufacturer. Then he got an 'eff it' look on his face and pulled up a return sticker. Gave me FULL credit for a new unit, more than I expected, and more than enough to alter my auto repair purchasing decisions going forward. Spread it around. Go in with the right attitude and they take care of you.

I almost exclusively use o'reilly's when buying aftermarket parts, this is the reason. they take good care of me. and in this town we only have them and a napa privately owned store whose prices are CRAZY and no customer service.

In Colorado, Oreilly's just bought out Checker auto parts, which is not known for quality parts, similar to Autozone. Cheap crap! I am excited, as when I go back to Missouri, they are everywhere and seem to have a good reputation. I could always use another GOOD source for auto parts for my shop. Good to hear you were taken care of. Your good history with them and good attitude should be rewarded.

I deal with O'Reilly's quite a bit at work. The service at that particular location varies wildly, depending on who you talk to.

If you get one of the kids who works evenings, you're usually in for trouble.

There's one old timer there, though, that I've gotten to know pretty well over the years. He's helped me out of quite a few binds.

Interestingly enough, his name is Skip.

I quit buying from Autozone after they wouldnt make good on a distibutor cap that lasted less than a week. I have used O'Reilley ever since.

Absolutely.

You generally only hear from the unhappy customers. It's a hell of a good feeling when your boss comes up to you and says, "Hey, Mr. So-and-so said you took really good care of him. Nice work."

I'd find out who his supervisor is, and tell them about it... and mention that you'll be even more likely to business with them in the future because of it. He might only get a pat on the back, but sometimes that's all ya need.

my o'reilly has several GOOD countermen, lots of experience, actually one of them's dad taught shop at KCK AVTS for YEARS, Jobe was his name, i had classes with him and he was a blast. i could tell lots of great stories about that guy, like the time we went to salina on a trip in a brand new bus that was governed at 55 MPH and all the other buses went 65-70, needless to say that governor was adjusted on the side of I70 me and him out under the hood and from then on our bus would run circles around the others:D

I thought this was going to be about some kind of 'no spin' sex toy you saw on Fox News.

And clicked anyway.

What's that say about me?

once i needed an odd sized bolt, the manager went to EVERY store in town until he found me what i needed. now thats service

Glad you get good service from O'Reillys. I think they make good stuff and generally have what you need. However; at least in Topeka I can't remember the last time I got something from O'Reillys and did not have to return it because it was the wrong part. Even when I take in the bad part they seem to always eff it up. When I was growing up and living in Chanute the O'Reillys there was great, not so much here. I generally go to Advance now.

Yeah, that's how my "contact" at our local place is.

"Well, there's a store in (say) Grandview that has it."

"Ugh, this guy's stuck on the side of the road."

"Eh, no problem. I'll send someone over... you'll have it in an hour or two."

It's goes both ways. I'll hook him up with OEM part numbers from time to time, so he can cross reference them and make a sale, when he couldn't have otherwise. Stuff like that.

It's really all in who you talk to. Unfortunately, most people don't deal with them enough to have any idea who's good, and who was working a drive-through the previous week.

we only have one o'reilly's in town, he went to all the hardware stores, anywhere he could think might have the bolt. like i said that impressed me.

yeah after 4:30 when the day crew leaves it's pretty useless. i have to go in and find it myself.

what type of shop do you work in?