There is an AutoZone located up the street from my shop. I have 2-3 people per week referred to me from AutoZone. Of course, after their free scan and part sales that have failed to repair the condition. When I explain to the vehicle owner the process, equipment & experience needed to complete an accurate diagnosis they usually understand. If not I use the analogy of would you hire contractor or a real estate agent to build your home? I then explain they are PARTS SPECIALIST and are quite good at it, however I am a DIAGNOSTIC & REPAIR SPECIALIST. I will then state it takes both of us to meet their needs and neither of us can replace the other in the process of repairing cars.
Another increasingly common problem I am finding is big box parts stores selling & installing batteries. I have several vehicles per month come in with strange odors from the car. Upon walking up to the car it is clearly a battery issue. I often find a new big box brand battery installed and the programming/battery reset procedures were ignored. In vehicles that are so electrically dependent with sensitive and very expensive electronics this will become a serious issue in the very near future. Not to mention the potential vehicle damage caused by acid boil over or possibility for battery fires and explosions, especially with batteries mounted on the cars interior.
It is a shame that due to corporate greed a persons second most expensive investment is put at risk by these stores.
