O'Reilly Auto Parts — Attraction in Punta Gorda

I've been visiting this store since they opened up, never had an issue and have spent hundreds of dollars here. Last night was a different story, I go there to purchase some brake pads for my wife's car and ask the worker at the desk who's name is Kenny, to pull up a quote for OEM Front Brake Dads. He asks the car make, model, and trim package to which I tell him, then he asks me the rim size. Firstly, this threw me off because for this specific make, model, and trim package comes with only ONE size of rim. So, I brush it off and walk outside to verify the rim size. I come back inside and he's already moved on to another customer, even though there is another clerk standing by at his station doing absolutely nothing.

Okay, no big deal there. I wait and am patient for him to finish with his newly acquired customer. Then he prints out a receipt and hands it to me, tells me its the quote for brake pads. I look at the paper and see there are only two types of brake pads listed,($100 a pair and $200 a pair) both of which are Ceramic. I then ask Kenny, where are the other types of pads? He says "types?" and looks at me dumbfounded as I have no clue what I am saying. So I explain to him I am a mechanic and just here to pick up parts that I need. I do not need Ceramic brake pads. I know the difference between Ceramic and Organic, and that I specifically asked for OEM. He then goes on to try and explain how much better ceramic is, basically trying his hardest to convince me that I need $200 Brake Pads.

Again, I ask where are the other types? He just keeps on pressing the issue about ceramic pads being better and that I should know that with me being a mechanic. I've used Organic Brake Pads since I started working on cars over 20 years ago, I've never had a single issue. I asked him again if these were the only two options he has for brake pads, and he said "yes thats all we have".

At this point, I'm becoming frustrated because prior to even coming to this specific store, I went online to see the choices they had for brake pads, to which there ARE MANY. Now, not every one available online is available in the store, I get that. But to stand there and basically try to steal money from me by means of deception is COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL. I left in disgust feeling like Kenny was trying his hardest to take advantage of me and assuming I have no experience with automotive parts.

I'm never going to shop there again, I'll take my business across the street to Advanced Auto where the Clerks don't try to rip off their loyal customers and tell you the prices of ALL their products available, not just the...

When I'm looking for parts,I always check O'Reilly's first. Sometimes the counter help can find it, sometimes they just don't know how to properly use the computer. I tossed a sealed wheel bearing across the counter, nobody else could find it. Paul took a few minutes and found it at a local store that has previously told me they didn't have it. He called, had them actually go to the shelf and put eyes on it. I paid for it and it was ready when I got there. That's not the most impressive part though. After securing the new one for me, he gave it back and told me exactly what it was, though I know I hadn't told him the usual year make model,etc... If nobody else can find your part, I know O'Reilly's in Punta Gorda will try their...

This store looses business everyday with their arrogant attitude when calling. Every time we call for a part they tell us to bring it in or they can't look it up. They tried to tell me my vehicle took three different sizes of a particular part. While sometimes this may be true in this case it was not. He wouldn't even try and search the part to see if they had it, he'd rather argue and degrade a competitor. Not cool at all. Needless to say Autozone was extremely helpful and glad to look it up with out the Hassel of driving there for no reason and had the part by the start of the next business day. Good luck in dealing with these guys, I have given them their last chance....