Pretty decent for your first job during highschool/college, certainly beats flipping burgers. - Parts Sales Manager AutoZone Employee Review

3.0
Dec 1, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you're not an idiot you can get promoted to Sales Manager pretty quickly, I did so at 19, meaning you can make roughly $10 an hour, which isn't much but that's a pretty big deal when your other options are minimum wage and you're trying to go to school. Breaking into management early in life is huge when you consider the leadership experience and resume potential that it has. At 19 I very often would be running the store by myself supervising thousands of dollars changing hands, maintaining inventory, solving problems, and calling all of the shots with 1 to 6 people underneath me. That's stressful but the responsibility and experience is cool. Hours are flexible; you can work mornings, evenings, and weekends so even during college you can essentially hold a full time job there. Also, you can start at Autozone knowing next to nothing about cars but after a year or two there you will actually be pretty handy under the hood. You won't be a mechanic but you get tons of free training. This will save you a lot of money later in life and women appreciate a guy who can get their car back on the road. It's retail so your job responsibilities vary and while never glamorous, at least you get a change of pace every few hours. Decent job security. If you don't like Autozone you can easily transition into one of the many similar jobs, Advance, Napa, Carquest, Pep Boys, etc. Sometimes you'll have someone desperate come in who's stranded in the middle of a road trip and Autozone gives you the tools and encourages you to go above and beyond to help them, which feels good. You hear lots of interesting stories too from old timers about various cars and projects and whatnot they've had over the years.

Cons

You're still talking about entry level retail, so the common stuff applies. Rude idiotic customers, rude idiotic coworkers, not much in terms of serious career advancement (after sales manager there is assistant store manager and store manager, but to acquire those positions you will usually have to move and theyre still pretty crappy jobs. Store managers are salaried but they work 50+ hours a week and the pay isn't much) and your pay generally sucks even though the guys at the top are making an absolute fortune. It's a mega corporation so you have to deal with the red tape and all of the irritating garbage that rides along with that. Autozone is also more "customer service oriented" than say a Napa or Carquest would be, so you get the majority of the idiots who expect you to provide them with parts but they don't even know the year or engine size of their car. Expect to go outside a lot (which is rough if you live in a winter climate) to change car batteries, wiper blades, light bulbs, etc. You will repeatedly have to attempt to explain simple concepts to some moron. You will be insulted by ignorant people on a fairly regular basis as with any other retail job. Etc. It's retail. Also, you see very few attractive women in an auto parts store haha. Sounds stupid but I would generally consider it a downside.

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5.0
Jun 9, 2026
Anonymous contractor
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Best place to work for New Grads

Cons

Good Work life balance with amazing location

3.0
Jun 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pros Automotive Knowledge & Skill Development: It is an excellent environment to expand your knowledge of vehicle components, diagnostic tools, and automotive troubleshooting.Customer Interaction: If you enjoy solving problems, the role offers regular opportunities to deliver high-impact customer service (what AutoZone calls "WOW!" customer service) by helping DIYers get their vehicles back on the road. Networking & Community Connection: You frequently interact with local mechanics, DIY hobbyists, and commercial accounts, building strong professional relationships within the regional automotive community. Clear Operational Structure: The store protocols, inventory systems, and safety compliance expectations are highly structured, making daily tasks predictable and organized. Employee Discount: Workers receive a company discount on parts, tools, and accessories, which is a major perk if you maintain your own fleet of vehicles.

Cons

ConsFast-Paced & Physically Demanding: The environment can be intense and requires significant physical stamina. Employees spend a lot of time standing, walking, and lifting heavy parts (like commercial batteries and brake rotors) throughout their shifts. Retail Hours & Scheduling: Retail schedules can be demanding, often requiring flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays to accommodate peak store hours.Handling Difficult Customer Situations: Because customers often come in stressed about their broken-down vehicles, employees must be skilled at de-escalating tense situations and managing complaints professionally. Split Responsibilities: Staff members frequently have to alternate between multiple distinct tasks—such as inventory auditing, commercial account delivery, and front-counter retail sales—requiring a strong ability to multi-task and switch gears quickly.

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