Thread regarding Advance Auto Parts Inc. layoffs

Don't be afraid to speak your mind

I worked in Corp Finance for 3 years. I moved from Austin, TX to Roanoke, VA for the position. I left a few months ago and it was such a great decision.

So many issues going on that I could go on rants for days.

  1. Chairman of the Board. He wants AAP to be sold, plain and simple. He would like it if AAP were bought by a competitor and he earn his ~100M. That is what he does as an activist investor.

  2. P&L. No oversight at all with finance. I complained all the time about spending from certain Directors and VP's and was ignored. There is a contractor from one department who makes 250K a year as a CONSULTANT for AAP. That is insane and everyone knows who it is but won't say anything about it. I am young, so I wouldn't let fear cloud my judgement and left after being begged to stay.

  3. Acquisition of Carquest. What a joke. So many failures for this buy. DJ was a horrible CEO and should have been terminated years ago this acquisition was the straw the broke the camel's back for DJ.

  4. Headquarters. We get it, Roanoke is not a hotbed for talent and it is difficult to recruit to the area(not sure how I was convinced). Within three years, it will be completely removed from Roanoke and everything will be in Raleigh. So, if you work in Roanoke, get the hell out of the company or get something in writing that you're moving to Raleigh.

Don't be afraid to speak your mind people, it makes you look weak.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @OP+NW9eNFC
Comment! It's anonymous!

5 replies (most recent on top)

It's tough to speak up but I'm glad you did. It's people like you who keep people like me from making career mistakes.

I interviewed there a few years ago for a Finance position when they opened their Raleigh offices. I could tell it was not a great place to work based on how I was treated during the interview process. The hiring manager and HR person I dealt with were rather condescending and treated me as if they were doing me a favor by interviewing me. Also, HR called me for an interview and wanted me to be there that day after work, even pushing me to leave my office early to get to their office by 5:30 or just forget it. I had no time to prepare or even print off a copy of my resume. I showed up to the interview in the clothes I wore to my casual job and no resume. It was humiliating!

Naturally I did terribly in the interview. I wondered if they do this on purpose to see how people handle sudden changes to their daily routine. There are better ways to do that without having to set people up for failure on their first interview. Only sadistic employers pull that kind of BS.

by Parker
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Post ID: @4rmn+NW9eNFC

Don't forget the crossroads location was auctioned today 6/27 under a trustee sale. Depending on the purchaser, that could move AAPs departure from Roanoke sooner than 2019

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @4dgr+NW9eNFC

Hello,

I am a reporter with WFXR, Fox in Roanoke, and we are doing a story about the layoffs. Might you or anyone else in the Roanoke area be willing to speak with us for our story? We're willing to keep sources anonymous, if needed. If interested, please e-mail me at keskow@virginiafirst.com.

Thank you!

Kristen Eskow

WFXR News (Fox)

by Kristen Eskow
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Post ID: @3ldl+NW9eNFC

I also heard advance is leaving Roanoke va. The lease runs out on the building the end of December 2019, so they have already started their exit strategy. Raleigh will be the new corporate headquarters.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @2slt+NW9eNFC

Speak up = get hurt

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @jjp+NW9eNFC

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