Talk:ADVANCE AUTO PARTS (AAP)

From ValueWiki

Launch Chat Window 

NYSE \ Services \ Auto Parts Stores

First Post

What do you think about this company? If you have general comments, add a reply to this section by clicking the [edit] link here ----->

ValueSpider 18:54, 27 November 2006 (PST)

Advance Auto Database Error

I wanted to share with everyone a problem I encountered with Advance's database. The problem isn't necessarily with the error itself, but with the company dragging their feet in getting it corrected.

I recently needed to purchase an upflow oxygen sensor for my 2002 Kia Spectra. I have made purchases from Advance in the past, and didn't think twice about making the purchase from them. I went to a store, had them order it, and returned the next day to the store to pick it up. After I installed the sensor, the Check Engine light was still coming on, so I returned again to the store. This time, rather than an error message stating that there was a slow response from the sensor, it said there was no response. The guy reset my light and told me to drive it around for 40 or 50 miles and see if it came back on again. I went home and started researching on the internet, and found that Advance was the only company that listed the upflow sensor for my vehicle as a Bosch 13394. Everyone else, including Bosch's own parts finder, had it listed as a Bosch 13404. I returned again to the store, ordered the correct part, and the next day removed the incorrect part, returned again to the store, exchanged it, and re-installed the correct part, and I have had no issues with the car since.

Now, I know mistakes happen, and I would not be writing if Advance had made an effort to correct the information in their database. Not only did I ask the store worker to inform corporate of the error, I also sent an e-mail to their customer service department. I provided all of the information, and even a link directly to Bosch's part finder where they could verify the info. I waited 2 weeks, and the info had not been corrected. I e-mailed again, and they said it could take up to 3-4 weeks to get the corrections made. 7 weeks after my initial e-mail, still no correction, so I e-mailed again. This time the response was something to the effect of 'we update the website once a month, so there's no guarantee of a time frame in getting these errors resolved...' It's now been about 10 weeks, and the errors are still on the site. Both the upflow and downflow sensors had been listed incorrectly, and the only thing they have done is add the correct downflow sensor. So now, they have 2 downflow sensors listed, only one being correct. The incorrect one is actually the correct upflow sensor, and what they have listed as upflow is incorrect. If, indeed, the site is for whatever reason only updated on a monthly basis, a time frame in excess of 2 months should be plenty of time to get the corrections made, especially given that I already did the research for them.

Anyway, like I said, the issue is not that there was a mistake in their database, because these things happen. They have made no effort to correct the mistake, and that's why I won't return to them for future purchases. Who knows what other mistakes exist in regards to my vehicle or future vehicles I may own, and I don't desire to make multiple trips to the store and spend extra time removing and reinstalling parts due to being given the wrong part.

Wow. That sounds pretty frustrating. I just searched the Better Business Bureau and they seem to have over 200 reports on Advance Auto Parts stores. That's a lot of complaints. I didn't dig very deep, but it seems like useful information to have before investing. Jonathan Stokes 22:22, 13 March 2007 (PDT)

PE Target?

Mmm. After reading the comment above, I dug in a bit. A company with a lot of room to improve operationally, have been underperforming vs. peers, low debt (466 million long term debt according to google finance vs. 3+ billion market cap), OK revenue stream. I thought I smelled Private Equity buyout target. Well then, I found out I wasn't the only one thinking about it. Bill Sims, a Citi analyst thinks that there's 25% chance of PE buyout. For more just read here. --khartand 10:36, 14 March 2007 (PDT)

Khartand, nice work starting the AAP Page! Jonathan Stokes 23:35, 14 March 2007 (PDT)