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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

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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.

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ncautoshop Proficient

ncautoshop

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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
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alfredauto Experienced

alfredauto

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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
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         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.
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      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.
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