Well yesterday my car was sick. I left work and my gauge never registered above 12v. I was pretty sure I was running on only battery.
But since my alternator has a lifetime warranty with Autozone no big deal. it’s the second one I’ve replaced since I bought the first several years ago.
Now, I have to rant a little bit. This is why I don’t want to deal with Autozone much.
First they didn’t have this one in stock. Its their duralast gold New (not reman) alt. Not a big deal and not uncommon really for parts houses but they should stock their top tier stuff IMO. I could have waited a day for it to come in I suppose. However I realized heading to autozone that my truck has a broken belt in the rear tire. I don’t want to put many miles on that until it’s replaced.
I asked them what were my other options. They decided that they would replace it with their reman version which is about 20 bucks less. I thought about it for a second. Since I don’t get but 3-4 year out of them anyway I’m not losing anything. It still has a lifetime warranty. They even mentioned that I get the 20 bucks. So, I’m like, why not.
So while I’m thinking about it I walk through the store just to let me think without them waiting on an answer. I walk back and say ok let’s do the reman. They at least have it in stock (and probably will in the future as well)
They have to do several overrides to get it replaced. One of the things they did was charge me for a core even though I brought my core. I noticed this while they were doing it. They talk back and forth and Saying”we have to charge the core”, “that will make it the same price as the one he bought”
So I don’t bother arguing even though they said I get that back. I didn’t come there to get cash but just to get an alternator. I ended up getting the 4 bucks that the core didn’t eat up.
Bottom line they shouldn’t charge a core just to keep their money. I should have asked for the old one back since I paid for a core charge. Something about they had to charge one but they should have refunded the core since I brought one. IDK and frankly IDC either.
They next time it fails I hope to have the money to take it and have it rebuilt locally with HD parts and maybe they can build it where it operates at lower rpms.
I got home and its back together and everything is good.
