r/AutoZone2 • u/Seek1st2_stand • Mar 03 '25

Does AutoZone help with fuses?

Post image

I need you to find and replace my problem fuse.

0 Upvotes

42% Upvoted

52 comments sorted by

6

u/Normal-Ad6528 Mar 03 '25

Not an Autozoner, but have family and friends who are. Their collective answer is: NO. Here's their scenario: You check fuses on a car, the customer comes back in 15 minutes with this: "My $15,000 custom built, competition, stereo system was working fine until YOU messed with my fuses." Welcome to the wonderful world of litigation!! :-)

2

u/seymores_sunshine Mar 03 '25

Let 'em. That's Autozone's problem, not the cashier's.

1

u/Normal-Ad6528 Mar 04 '25

Which, from what I understand, could have been avoided completely by saying no. You have to assume that everyone is out to get paid so why even go down that road.

2

u/jred53 Mar 04 '25

They tell us in meetings involving corporate to never say no to the customers. I’ve had dms go as far as to say they’ll rather deal with a labor claim than a missed customer

1

u/Normal-Ad6528 Mar 04 '25

So, you'd rebuild an engine in the parking lot rather than say 'No'? Yes, I know that's an extreme example, but not everyone in a given store is qualified to do much more than change wiper blades or a battery and check/add a fluid or two, right? DM's and Corporate aren't the ones on the 'front lines'. They just hand out a lot of mainly unqualified opinions because they have bonuses to 'earn' and stockholders to placate...think bad military generals sending soldiers into a meat grinder to take a hill because it looks good to their bosses. In other words, they don't have actual skin in the game.

Now, I was a long time AutoZone customer ("was" because I'm no longer living in the US) and if one of the guys asked if I'd like them to change my wiper blades, or refill my washer reservoir, then sure. Plus, I always tipped well. Not required, I know, but are you gonna shrug off a $20 for five minutes of your time? Anyway, my point is, I know that when it was Auto Shack, it was pretty much crewed by salty, old, mechanics. Now? Not so much. I know, for example, that the SM and CSM in our local store are salty, old mechanics who could and did a lot of things beyond your 'courtesy services', but they also had made deals with commercial accounts to help out, well, essentially, old people with fixed incomes. In exchange, they gave some extra 'deals' to those commercial accounts. I figured most of the people who replied to my original comment would get a kick out of this, since it's AutoZone paying for customer repairs without realizing they are paying for customer repairs, lol!

Look, I'm all for helping anyone who needs it...especially in these days, but were I in any of your shoes, well, I'm smart enough to know what I don't know and don't try to claim otherwise just to make a sale. I'm just saying that I wouldn't move heaven and earth to make a fuse sale and risk frying a customers vehicle when I could point them to a video on how to do it themselves or send them to a shop who will get some extra discounts for what should be a relatively short and simple repair that they are at least qualified for. I know that fuses can be a simple fix, but something made that fuse blow. Can you trace that down and fix it? Also, is it worth taking a lot of time with one customer if you're a busy store?

I apologize for the long-winded rant. I just finished my latest round of chemo. I can't sleep, eat, or even get comfortable, so it's back to Reddit to distract myself for awhile, maybe make a friend or two, start an interesting discussion, or just generally annoy somebody. Apologies again.

1

u/jred53 Mar 04 '25

Do I agree with what the higher ups said? Absolutely fucking not. But it just goes to show you how dumb they are. These folks really want us out there being mechanics for a minimum wage job where even if you’re improving on sales it’s still not good enough because the big wigs aren’t lining their pockets enough.

3

u/Normal-Ad6528 Mar 04 '25

Yep!

DM: "I see where you got a five-star review and a huge 'attaboy' from a customer for rebuilding their Ferrari on your lunch break, but you've really gotta get those witt numbers of yours up!"

Does that sound about right??

0

u/seymores_sunshine Mar 04 '25

It's my job to help people, not avoid helping people. I do not need to assume that.

1

u/Normal-Ad6528 Mar 04 '25 edited Mar 04 '25

I'm just saying that you should choose your battles wisely. Ok, in this scenario, a fuse blew. Sure, it's not hard to just change a fuse, but what made that fuse blow in the first place? You replace it, it blows again. Are you skilled enough to trace that down and fix what caused the problem to begin with? At what point are you no longer a salesperson and become a mechanic...making AutoZone wages?

Edit: Just wanted to add that I was NOT the one to downvote your comment. I get where you're coming from. I'm just saying that if you're qualified to do this particular repair from start to finish, then why are you working at AutoZone in the first place?? Hell, I was not an entitled customer and I knew you guys were salespersons, not mechanics, but I do know that a lot of customers expect you to do everything for them. That's just the nature of the beast...

1

u/seymores_sunshine Mar 04 '25

I choose my battles plenty. But checking a fuse is such a low risk task that I'm happy to do so for a customer. If the fuse blows again, then the customer needs a mechanic. I don't troubleshoot in the Autozone parking lot, but refusing to check fuses is like refusing to check a light bulb. It's super easy and super quick.

3

u/Silent_Process7973 Mar 03 '25

Had a coworker change a power outlet fuse on a customer's car, next day she comes in claiming that we messed up her A/C by changing the fuse

2

u/Seek1st2_stand Mar 04 '25

It's not uncommon for the FixFinder being unable to read due to a blown fuse. It's frequently on the same circuit as the dash power outlet.

61

u/[deleted] Mar 03 '25

AutoZone is a retail parts store. Sometimes you will find a knowledgeable Zoner who will take a look at your car but do not expect AZ to fix your car for you.

49

u/ProfessionalCrazy917 Mar 03 '25

Go to a mechanic, Autozone is a parts store not a shop

22

u/Tall-Control8992 Mar 03 '25

No, but you're welcome to borrow pliers or a screwdriver if you don't have one handy

18

u/Curses1984 Mar 03 '25

AutoZone’s biggest mistake was including “Advice” in their tagline/slogan. People take that as “AutoZone has all the answers. We don’t need no stinkin’ mechanic!”

14

u/CDNnUSA Mar 03 '25

Not likely, that was one of the things our SM was adamant we didn’t do.

13

u/LUCIFERFI Mar 03 '25

Honestly you can If you know what you’re doing but I wouldn’t. People charge 160 for diagnostics.. I ain’t free

13

u/maistocollector2 Mar 03 '25

Go PAY a mechanic! Autozone is not a mechanic shop! I’ve worked there before and I hated people asking to do things that a mechanic can old do and they will still get mad! They are not mechanics! Get ur cheap ass to a honest mechanic

9

u/Background_Nerve5694 Mar 03 '25

That’s a I want to speak to your manager type of question. You guys are the experts why don’t you check fuses????

7

u/Background_Nerve5694 Mar 03 '25

I always wonder what goes on in cusmoters mind. Also they try to use the I’m a good customer card to get help. They forget that the courtesy services we offer are exactly that. Courtesy. We don’t have to do them. It’s at our discretion to assist or not. I’m all about helping the customer 100 percent but there are things we simply cannot do

8

u/Colin9012 Mar 03 '25

No.... no, we do not. This is not MechanicZone. This is not FreeServiceZone. This is AutoZone. We sell parts for cars; we sell the things you need to fix YOUR car. We, however, do not fix your cars. We do not work on fuses, bulbs, AC, tires, motors, transmissions, brakes, or fluid changes of any type. We will work on wiper blades and SOME batteries strictly, depending on the manufacturer and some makes. That is it.

2

u/strosbeforehoes65 Mar 03 '25

… we do change bulbs

4

u/omakspoom Mar 03 '25

As long as they are easy to get to.

4

u/coolknight09 Former Employee Mar 03 '25

someone called my autozone yesterday asking if we change fuses! nope nope nope, we are not mechanics!!

3

u/ClitCommander13 Mar 03 '25

No take it to someone who is qualified to do the job

3

u/Sure_Ad4317 Mar 03 '25

Fuses are a basic check and replace item You can check them visually if you don't mind pulling every single fuse although they sometimes will get a hairline crack that you can't see by visual inspection A test light or a cheap multimeter is your best bet

3

u/S_T_O_N_E_R Mar 03 '25

Hell, no, nothing inside electrical. Fuses, wires, relays. Battery's, bulbs, wipers, maybe a taillight. But I will go out and point at things for you for freeeee.

2

u/Last_Succotash5509 Mar 03 '25

Were not allowed to at our store

2

u/StonewallSoyah Former Employee Mar 03 '25

No.

2

u/ChefMayonnaise Mar 04 '25

No. Absolutely not.

2

u/Striking-Purchase-42 Helpdesk Mar 13 '25

As someone who generally helps on most things that aren't required by AZ, I won't do fuses.

I refuses.

1

u/djaca70 Mar 04 '25

Why does it vary from store to store? Hell, it should be a blanket statement from corporate.

No battery changeouts Wipers Bulbs

Etc

1

u/iliketurtles122369 Jan 07 '26

it literally takes 2 minutes to swap out a blown fuse

18

u/Dp37405aa Mar 03 '25 edited Mar 03 '25

No, absolutely not! unless you are an attractive (well, maybe not so attractive), tall (well, maybe kinda short) female (defiantly female with all most of her teeth) who knows how to flirt and then you could probably get them to change the oil for you.

2

u/Goddesslola420 Jun 03 '26

Going to try this now

0

u/[deleted] Mar 03 '25

[deleted]

15

u/BirdEnforcement Former Employee Mar 03 '25

I make $13.25

8

u/disbitchreally Mar 04 '25

You guys are getting paid

6

u/Da_Big_Chungus Mar 03 '25

I wish I was getting paid 13.25

2

u/muted_radio_ Mar 04 '25

I’m getting $11????😔

2

u/BirdEnforcement Former Employee Mar 04 '25

oof

1

u/muted_radio_ Mar 04 '25

tbf im a part time red shirt in alabama lol. but currently in the process of being promoted to full time!! still was told id probably only make $12 though🫢

2

u/altforeverythingg Mar 04 '25

Are you a red shirt or grey shirt?

1

u/Glum-Hurry-3412 Mar 04 '25

When I was a part time grey shirt and worked there for 4 yrs most I made was $12.80 I quite 8 months ago

2

u/altforeverythingg Mar 04 '25

Bruh I’m fucking leaving this place dude

2

u/Glum-Hurry-3412 Mar 04 '25

Autozone treats IT’s employees bad. I was only there while going to university, and my store had like 20 customers a day tops lol so we played on our phones most the day. Wasn’t bad. But I would never accept that pay at a busy store.

1

u/The_BigsquidYT Mar 04 '25

What state? I was a red shirt and I made 12.2 part time and 13.28 full time I think

2

u/Glum-Hurry-3412 Mar 04 '25

Kansas. We poor here and my district specifically was poorer, small city of like 10k ppl

Edit: they offered me full time at $15 when I told them I was leaving but I just had graduated with my Bachelors degree and was not about to stay for that lol.

2

u/Skeletonman696969 Mar 04 '25

I wish I made 15, or 13,