As the owner of an auto parts store in Texas, here's what most of think is the pecking order:

1) AutoZone - the worst. Cheapest parts, worst quality, badly untrained employees
2) Advance - same cheap parts with bad quality, but with better employees
3) O'Reillys - very good parts, good prices, but usually with untrained employees
4) NAPA - very good parts, highest prices, but usually with very good employees

What makes a real good counterman is knowledge of the obtuse - they know the parts you'll need, they can diagnose accurately at the counter, and they have knowledge about how to install what you're buying. AutoZone, Advance, and O'Reillys usually hire anyone to be a warm body on the counter - Napa usually tries to hire the ex-mechanics. Regardless of "good" countermen, I wouldn't buy the cheap crap that AutoZone and Advance sells.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600