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Cardone, Advance/CARQUEST & Encouraging News

Joe Marconi

By Joe Marconi
in Automotive Parts & Suppliers

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flacvabeach Community Regular

flacvabeach

Posted
Posted

I'm sorry, but our Advance/CarQuest quality and customer support experience over eleven years in this business has been sub par. I can only speak about our area, but the overall support ranging from counter people to national programs has been very weak. Years ago we forbid our SWs from buying starters and alternators from them because the failure rates were atrocious. We became NAPA Autocare and, yes, they have product product problems too, but the warranty is bullet-proof and the customer support is as well. I can only speak for the Richmond VA distribution center and the folks that take care of us out of there. Also, our local stores are privately owned and the store owners are dedicated to making NAPA a lot more than just a place you buy parts. We expect a lot from our suppliers in terms of delivery time, quality of support, and programs that make us look like we are aligned with a national entity and NAPA has consistently delivered.

svauto Newbie

svauto

Posted
Posted

Have had so many problems over the years with Cardone products, I won't even consider using them again. They would need to somehow prove to me that they have changed significantly.

  • 2 weeks later...
ncautoshop Proficient

ncautoshop

Posted
Posted (edited)

Changed three Cardone gear boxes on one truck this week and 4 calipers on one vehicle that my advance CAM says are all Cardone products. The cam, driver and parts pro all say this is becoming an everyday thing. The gear boxes threads were trashed for the lines, actually smashed in, the others the pitman shafts was damaged. Calipers were sticking and externally looked remand but internally hadn't been touched. I almost feel as if some of these had already been returned and resold but I'm not positive of that. Considering we get half of our hourly rate and get treated less than fairly in the warranty process I think I'll be forced to go elsewhere.

 

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

Edited by ncautoshop
  • 3 weeks later...
John Pearson Collaborator

John Pearson

Posted
Posted

I am a lucky one? I have been using carquest for 3 years now and had a couple of problems but none like you all are explaining. The one that I remember was I had a water pump for a 94 F150 5.0 go out 2 days after install and then again 1 year later.

  • 1 month later...
alfredauto Experienced

alfredauto

Posted
Posted

We put a cardone rack in a Volvo, lasted about 2 weeks before the input shaft seal blew out and ruined the pump. Investigation proved the lower snap ring wasn't installed properly. Customer doesn't care - they paid me and it didn't get fixed is all they know. Napa paid me enough to cover the techs pay to do it again. Live and learn, now I suggest new OEM parts if the customer wants to take a chance on reman junk they know the risk.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

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