O'Reilly Auto Parts — Local services in South Lake Tahoe

I cannot say enough good about this place!! The fuel pump on my 04 Ford Explorer died and since I basically live right across the street from Auto Zone I went there to get a new one. They didn't have a new one in stocks (no big deal) so they had to order it. Cost me$350 to just get a whole new fuel sending unit. When I picked it up a couple days later it was the wrong part ( still not that big of a deal... it happens) I take my part back to Auto Zone and tell them I need a different one, there is nothing wrong with the new part itself but the electrical plug on the new part does not match the plug on my Explorer. The guy looks on his computer for a couple minutes then tells the particular fuel sending unit that I just received (with the plugs that don't match up) is the only one that they are able to get for me!! I re explain how the plug coming from my Explorer's wire harness does not match the socket on the new fuel sending unit.... the guy actually shrugged his shoulders at me and told me there is nothing else he can do!?!?! So, I have him just return the part and refund me. The next day I go to O'Reilly. I order the part. I get the same exact incorrect part that I got from Auto Zone.... So I take the part back in and tell them its the wrong one. I also explain my whole experience with Auto Zone. The guy working behind the counter looks on his computer, he also is only able to order that one particular fuel sending unit. He tells me that then tells me to wait a minute while he looks into it. After a good 15-20 minutes of looking on his computer and making a couple phone calls he calls me back to the counter and tells me that although he is only able to order that one fuel sending unit there is a fuel sending unit rebuild kit that I can get and its about $100 cheaper than buying the whole unit. I bought it and it worked great! I can't thank these guys enough!! Because the guy at O'Reilly helping me that day cared enough to do the extra research to find a solution to my problem I was able to fix my car, and for that reason alone... the guy at Auto Zone told me I was S.O.L. I will buy all my car parts at O'Reilly ONLY from now on. Thank you O'Reilly... the other guys could learn a thing or two from the way O'Reilly conducts business and treats...

TLDR if you need parts in SLT these guys are amazing. Shoutout to Matt for saving me today. Thank you so much!

But long story: My car wouldn’t start and I had no idea what was wrong. Roadside assistance finally arrived and they were able to jumpstart my car and told me I needed a new battery but that they did not have my battery type in stock. So I called around to Napa, AutoZone, Les Schwab etc. and none of them would help install a new battery. When I called O’Reilly, they told me they could install if it wasn’t too complicated. I got to the store and Matt wasn’t sure if he could change my battery but he told me he’d give it a shot and if he couldn’t, he’d give me a refund and help me jumpstart to head somewhere else that could install. Lo and behold, Matt is a godsend and gets my battery changed out. They didn’t even charge for installation. My insurance was quoting me $250 for just the install not including the price of the new battery. Anyways, Matt was amazing and his coworkers very much agreed. If you’re like me and clueless about cars the guys at O’Reilly will patiently help you....

Giving these guys 4 stars is a gift. I'm probably just moved in a negative way the the manager bcuz the help was actually helpful and understanding. A balance between rigidity of rules & guidelines and that occasionallity when it's best to break the rules a little. Homelessness is rampant in calif today and no public restrooms is policy. That said, I drive an hour to this parts store in am hours and desperately needed a restroom. Being denied and using best part of an hour making and looking up my order, I still spent $600 on a few parts. Leaving the O'Reilly went nearby store w same policy but they broke the rules for me after learning the situation. The difference between a good manager exercising judgement and a poor manager trying to do a good job. Sorry, O'Reilly's, but you're now last on my list now. And I'm a commercial acct...