On 8/17/2022 (Geraldine Zamora) a fellow AutoZone employee at store 5594 off of Marysville Boulevard in Sacramento, CA. Mr. Zamora called me a ni***r in spanish in front of multiple customers and a fellow manager (Crystil Linzsey). Mr. Zamora would continue to call me a ni***r each time he would see me even after I spoke to him explaining that to him that is not my name. The following day, I reported the situation to the store manager (Gregory Williams-Bivens). Since then, Mr. Zamora continued to work and created a hostile work environment until he chose to leave. There was not anything done, and the situation continued.

On 7/14/2022 (Crystil Linzsey) a fellow manager came to me while I was at lunch and asked me for my opinion on a personal matter. She asked me "how do you tell a guy that you don't want to be with them anymore because you found someone else"? I told her that it is not my place to give her counseling and the only thing I will say is just do not lead him on to believe in something that is not true. Three days later (Crystil Linzsey) came to work, I was in the back of the store she started speaking to me about how her ex-boyfriend (Anthony) is being crazy, and she is afraid. I explained to her at that point in time I did not want to be involved but she continued to explain to me ingrate detail of what was taking place. Over the next several months (Crystil Linzsey) showed me pictures on her phone of "ghost guns" and pictures of drugs. Gregory Williams-Bivens has also acknowledged that he has also seen those pictures from Crystil Linzsey phone. She would explain to me that this is the life of her ex-boyfriend (Anthony). I told her I do not care, and that crap needs to be left out of the workplace.

Around 8/17/2022 (Crystal Linzsey) calls me at 11PM at night to tell me that her gun was stolen by her (ex-Anthony). I never gave Crystil my phone number and I don't know how she got it, but she wanted to know what she should do so I told her she should call the cops and report it. The next several days at work she would talk about how her ex-boyfriend is that type that would shoot up the store and I told her she needs to stop. Around this time everyone in the store is on edge. We then find out that Crystil and Kevin are dating, and all this crap is because Anthony is mad, and Kevin does not want to be seen as a punk. For a while it got to the point people were coming to the store looking for Kevin with intent to fight him.

On 9/9/2022 I went to work and as I clocked in, I was on the phone with my girlfriend, at that moment Crystil and Kevin started talking to me and I told them enough is enough. I told them that if they do not stop that I was going to report it too corporate. Kevin then tells me that I am Whitewashed, and that is some white people $#*!, and that's why white people get wiped out because they put their nose in other people's business. This whole time Crystil is backing what Kevin is saying adding that if I go to corporate, they cannot guarantee my safety as well as Sarah's safety. Kevin then adds that it is easy to find people because of the internet, Facebook, Instagram, etc. At lunch time when I got home Sarah was crying in fear because of Kevins threats and she was on the phone with corporate filing a complaint and I did the same.

Every day after I filed my complaint with corporate on 9/9/2022, Crystal stands over me when I am working, she micromanages my every move and it is to the point I do not feel comfortable, and I have asked her to stop! Even told Gregory Williams- Bivens the store manager and his response is that she is not breaking any laws.

Before I filed any complaint, Gregory Williams- Bivens told me I would be looked at for a position as store manager soon. On 9/23/2022 I was told by Gregory William-Bivens that if the district manager called and asked if I were ready, he would say that I am not ready.

I have filed a complaint again because nothing was done. On 9/24/2022, The district manager over the phone asked me if HR called and I told him no. He went on to ask me yes and no question, making me feel as if this was my fault. He called me a liar telling me that I did not try to call him when I did.

I do not feel safe at the store I work at and I feal like I will be retaliated against if I move or stay. It seems like they just want to sweep this under the rug. I have already been told that If I leave, I will be demoted.

On Tuesday, September 27,2022, at 7:21AM, I James Bibb received a text message from Mr. Isaac Chavez the Human Resource Manager for AutoZone explaining to me that he would like to meet with me to further discuss the incident's that took place at store 5594 located at 3121 Marysville Boulevard, Sacramento, CA *******. Mr. Isaac further states that he would like to meet at store 5603 at 1:30 PM located at 3455 Watt Ave., Sacramento, CA ******* to discuss and to create a documented complaint about the events that took place at store 5594.

I did arrive as expected at 1:30 PM to meet with Mr. Isaac Chavez where we did discuss the events at store 5594. At the end I requested a copy of the complaint for my records and Mr. Isaac Chavez explain to me that that complaint although I signed it his property of AutoZone and that he would not be able to provide me a copy. Mr. Isaac asked if I filed any complaints with any agencies outside of AutoZone. I told him I filed a complaint with the California Equal Housing and Employment Commission about two weeks before our meeting and his demeanor changed.

At the conclusion of our meeting Mr. Isaac told me I would be transferred only temporarily until their investigation of the situation and allegations was completed. He told me I would have to speak with the district manager, Mr. Jose!

When I contacted Mr. Jose, he said they can transfer me, but I would have to take a demotion in which I told him I would not accept. Mr. Jose further told me that I can transfer to store 5587 which is in Auburn or 4824 located in Roseville to include store 5546 located in Rocklin, all the stores are at least 20 miles away in one direction.

I James Bibb informed Mr. Jose that I cannot travel that far because of a motorcycle accident that I was in less than a year to date, and that I have been out of a wheelchair for just over a month and a half. Mr. Jose informed me that he will get back to me, which I have yet to hear from him and or Mr. Isaac the Human Resurce Manager.

On October 3,2022, at 4:57PM Mr. Walter the store manager at store 5603 located off Watt Ave, and Whitney sent me a text message informing me that I have foundations class at the hub store on Wednesday at 8 AM and that all I needed was my employee ID number, he informs me that I will be going to their store until further notice. I sent a response text to Mr. Walter asking him what day I am supposed to start working at store 5603 and if I can get the address for the hub store in which I never received a response.

Over the past three months, I have sent multiple text messages but mostly made phone calls to phone number *******215, which was provided by Isaac Chavez, Human Resurce Manager for AutoZone. Although all my attempts to communicate and understand my position and my employment with AutoZone, they have chosen to shut me out and ghost me.

It is clear as of today that I am no longer employed by AutoZone because of their zero response to my messages and/or calls. Because of their actions I have been forced to assume that my employment was terminated without verbal or written notification.

On Oct 4,2022, I sent a text message to Mr. Isaac and Mr. Walter explaining to them both that when I was on the phone with Mr. Jose the District Manager, he was extremely rude and unprofessional to me, making me feel as if this situation was my fault because I filed a complaint with Corporate. I also stated that I would have to resign my position with AutoZone if this hostility continued. In the text I sent, it did not send correctly.

I then received a call from Mr. Isaac, and I remembered explaining to him that I do not feel comfortable. I remember telling him that I am not quitting and that I need my start date at store 5603. Mr. Isaac wanted me to come in at 9am to speak more but he cancelled.

On Jan 24,2023, I was talking to Mr. Walter, and he told me that I resigned, and I explained that I did not and that I spoke to Mr. Isaac and cleared it up back on Oct 4,2022, regarding the incorrect text I sent. I have not heard anything from AutoZone about my employment. I have sent text messages and made calls to Mr. Isaac over the past several months to not receive a response back. I have been ghosted.

Thanks Kim, from Auto Zone #1295. You gave Excellent service & very polite to me! #URock #StaySafe

I used to work for Auto Zone. I was a low level manager for a time in Raleigh, North Carolina. Although sitejabber seems to be fairly happy with them, I've seen a million bad reviews on Auto Zone from different websites and I thought I could give one from the other side of the counter. I'm going to condense many of the complaints I've heard together to try to address as many as I can.

A big complaint flying around is that the employees generally don't know anything about cars, whether it be talking about them or actually putting their hands on them. Also there have been efforts to point out on other sites that there are an unusual number of Hispanics working in the company... These complaints are absolutely true.

One thing you have to understand is that Auto Zone is a business; and just like any business the point is to make money. Obviously Auto Zone wants people who can do that for them. Specifically, Hispanics are often employed simply because they speak Spanish. A Spanish speaker opens the door for customers who do not know English. I can't tell you how many bilingual people I saw gain employment despite being completely incompetent. Actually knowing how cars work? That's not important. In fact, there's an unwritten motto behind the counter... it's "We are salesmen, not mechanics."

And I totally agree with these complaints. Auto Zone is advertised as a place for reliable information. It even says on the sign outside the store: Auto Zone. Auto Parts. ADVICE and very few employees really know a lot about engines.

In all fairness though, efforts are made to educate their employees on certain car systems through computerized presentations and tests, although labor is so cut back, any test taking is often interrupted because the employee needs to help up front (more on that later) and anything learned is often forgotten. What's worse is that in a lot of these cases, an entire store's worth of education is actually done by the store manager because he can't spare the hours it takes for everyone to do their training. Bottom line: money comes first, knowledge of the craft second.

A lot of people seem to have a problem with the quality of Auto Zone's parts. First let me clarify something: Auto Zone and Duralast are the same thing. Duralast is an in-house brand. Personally I have a number of Duralast parts in my car right now, and I typically don't have a problem with them. However I know very well that no retailer can have a 100% success rate with their parts... which leads me to my next point: labor claims. Most stores are separated into two departments: DIY (Do It Yourself) which is simply the store that you walk into and buy products, and the commercial department which deals with delivering parts to local shops like Precision Tune and Firestone.

A labor claim is when a commercial client receives a defective part and is reimbursed for having to install the part twice after the part is replaced. It is actually a very complicated process and most of them get denied anyway. In reality, it's only ever actually implemented to cater to the highest paying commercial clients to keep their business. But DIY? A walk-in customer like you? It's unheard of. DIY labor claims do not exist under any circumstances. So the Duralast timing belt you bought broke and the pistons bent your valves? You're wasting your breath and time going after Auto Zone. Honestly, you're not giving them enough money for them to entertain not letting you walk out the door. Unless you're prepared to take them to court, forget it.

More than a few people have commented on the length of time it takes to get certain parts. Based on what I've read, I'm fairly certain they're referring to Vendor Direct Parts. Certain products can only come from vendors because Auto Zone doesn't stock them in stores or warehouses. The complaints usually say the part is supposed to arrive in about three or four days, but it ends up taking two weeks or more. I've seen it happen a million times, but that ETA that they quote you when you originally buy the part? Yeah, that's a FedEx estimate; Auto Zone has nothing to do with it. So if you're ordering a part in North Carolina, and the part is coming from Ohio, and an earthquake hits Oregon, it's a safe bet that your part is going to be late... it's all about how FedEx works. How many times have you sent a package via UPS or FedEx only to have it arrive late because of a holiday or weekend or inclement weather? The real problem is that the employees aren't trained to explain this to you, the customer; they are trained to always guarantee you that "we have the right part (literally)!"

Long lines have appeared a number of times also. Let me cut to the chase: the shifts are so shorthanded that if one person gets sick and calls out, the whole system comes down. Bad labor coverage was a plague the whole two years I worked for them. With very few exceptions (mostly HUB stores and truck night), most stores are only manned by two people at a given time: a manager (gray shirt) and a low level red shirt. And this is what is going on at any given time: there's a manager and a red shirt. The red shirt is outside changing a battery... He will be indisposed for at least twenty minutes... IF he knows what he's doing. There are four people waiting in line inside. The phone is ringing. The guy on aisle two is stealing. The manager is supposed to have two planograms and online training all done by the time he leaves today. Online orders are coming in. Yep, sure enough, the guy on aisle two just walked out the door and the theft sensor went off... There's no time to go after him. The labor shortage is all about cutting costs just like any other retail store in the United States of America. And speaking of the phone...

One review I've read in particular noted the excessive importance of the phone. He's right and let me tell you why: corporate management has created a strict script (yes, a script) that they want all calls to be handled by. They enforce this by having district managers call stores of neighboring districts (so nobody recognizes their voices) pretending to be customers and grading the store based on this call. Rule #1? The phone must be answered within two rings. Take too long to answer the phone and you automatically fail and get chewed out. Put that call on hold and you automatically fail too. The importance of the phone became so great when I was there, that some employees resorted to giving fake names over the phone to make it harder to reprimand them if they didn't follow the script exactly. Expect no less from a company that thinks reciting a script qualifies as good customer service. So picture this: you've been waiting in line for a half hour (because of the aforementioned labor shortage), and you finally get to the counter. You just get done telling the employee what kind of car you have while he enters it into the computer, and then the phone rings. The employee has to answer it. As he takes the call, he hits the New Customer button and wipes out all the information you just told him. Three minutes later, the call ends and you have to tell the employee what kind of car you have again... and then the phone rings again. Rinse and repeat.

Allow me to give you a few tips in helping dealing with this company. For those of you who want to submit a complaint to corporate office, you have a few options. The most obvious of which is to simply go online or call the customer service number on the receipt and issue a complaint. Less well known is the sign that is on or near the door to every Auto Zone store. The sign is read from the outside and has three phone numbers on it. The first of which is the store manager, and for the record, the phone number next to the store manager's name is the phone number to the store. In many cases this is actually the most effective. A store manager will be more sensitive to the customers in their own store. The downside is that usually these complaints go undocumented.

If you're not getting results (or if the store manager is the one you have a problem with) you may try the next number: the district manager. First off: good luck trying to get this guy to answer his phone. If you simply have a "rudeness" complaint, most likely he will just document it and assure you he will look into it and really do nothing. It will take a number of complaints about the same store before he will really do anything. The third number, the regional manager, is even worse. This guy is in charge of upwards of a hundred stores in multiple states... He doesn't entertain a million calls about low level employees being rude. If you want his attention, your complaint better not be anything short of "your employee sexually harassed me". He only listens to the most extreme of grievances.

Another common issue seems to be the honoring of warranties. The warranty database is shared company wide, so no matter what store you bought the part from, you should be able to access that warranty at any other store nationwide. The greatest tip? When you buy the part, make sure EVERYTHING is accurate. People don't get to cash in their rightful warranty because they change their phone numbers, a woman gets married and changes her last name, they move and change their zip codes, things like that. There has been more than one time when I had to get creative and dig deep to find out that the customer's name was misspelled. When you get the part: Make. Sure. Your. Information. Is. Right... and then remember when you change that information. The best thing you can do is take your receipt and scan it into a computer, preserving all information including a transaction number.

Not satisfied with them still? Wanna make them mad? I'll give you a tip: walk in the store... and buy a soda. Seriously. You see, Auto Zone is just another one of those corporate retail chains that care more about their shareholders than their customers and employees. And every year the managers at the top have to explain to them the status of the company, and of course they want to hear good things. Basically the executives have come up with a series of ridiculous numbers to track growth in the company. In reality they're manipulated numbers meant to distract the shareholders from a potentially dismal bottom line. One such number is "average ticket". It tracks how much the average customer spends by dividing the total day's sales by the number of transactions done for that day. So if the total money (you know, the whole reason a business is a business) is not up to the right projections, the executives distract the shareholders by telling/whining to them that "the average customer is spending twenty percent more than they were last year." So what do you think walking in and buying an item worth a dollar and fifty cents does to that ticket (when the goal is usually about $20 to $25 average ticket)? What do you think it does when you turn around and walk right back in and do it again? Store managers would rather have that soda grow legs and walk out the door than ring it up by itself and actually make the dollar it's worth.

Allow me to leave you with an anecdote from my experience: we had a low level manager who was caught stealing four hundred dollars (that's how much she was actually caught with at least). Was this manager fired? No, not even demoted. She was transferred. Rumors have circulated that Auto Zone didn't want to risk a potential lawsuit or having to pay her unemployment benefits so she got transferred to another store where the manager is going to be hard on her in the hopes of making her quit of her own free will... That's the kind of company I worked for.