Thread regarding Advance Auto Parts Inc. layoffs

Why would an independent hold on to this relationship when an obvious crisis to their livelihood is staring straight at them? Make a decision about your future before on your terms before AAP does it for you.

I just overheard a conference call about a multi-store CQ independent in the Midwest that is changing over to NAPA. Anyone know who it is? Those on the call kept referring to "Big Green". Who is this?

Congratulations to the independent store leadership on recruiting the good people from the CQ stores. Goons be some big shows to fill at many of the stores.

Has anyone heard about the new pricing to independent stores? Cost will be based solely on your quarterly volume and adjusted for the following period. Similar to the pricing program that the company stores use with their commercial customers. Looks like the reduction of independent stores has begun.

How can they just fire a jobber? Isn't it your store what you operate under a franchise/licensing agreement? Any details on independent CQ relationship is appreciated?

Not all the HD filters are from Baldwin,I lost a school bus fleet because 84669 came with no number on it.When I questioned this I got quite a run around from AAP,Baldwin and my filter rep who knows nothing.After almost two years Baldwin finally told me that AAP buys that filter from Donaldson and won't pay for labeling it.When my customer refused to use a blank filter they went to NAPA before I could source them elsewhere.I'll bet if I had a claim I would have screwed because of no number on the filter.I'm glad I'm out of this mess.

So what's the major line change here, not clear what you guys are talking about. Are filters or brakes changing to some other brand or something?

Had a labor claim on a purolator filter submitted last week. I immediately took care of my customer as there was a very obvious manufacturing defect. AAP product department told me I was SOL since I did not call the hotline first. NAPA keeps looking better!

Carquest truck filters are all Baldwin and car filters are Mann.

http://www.aftermarketnews.com/advance-auto-parts-and-mannhummel-strengthen-global-automotive-filter-partnership/

Tired of the hot and miss fill rate. I’m looking at Baldwin and wix both. Any idea how Baldwin does? I could gain a lot of hd sales

Advance does not care about Carquest branded filters.If you check Advance stores they stock a ton of Purolater and push them as their premium filter.Their original stores(not changed over JV stores) don't keep squat for HD filters.Before we left and went to NAPA we were buying WIX elsewhere. They pushed Purolater filters on us.The DC never kept more than a hand full of Carquest filters.

What are filters changing to?

I just got the word on filters late yesterday. Decided to change back to branded WIX from an independent WD. Anyone else done this? How is WIX's fill rate?

Why are filters changing again?

That amount would kill a large number of independents,where I'm from the indy stores are in small towns and rural areas that would not support a big box store.Good buy to a lot of Carquest stores

I heard in Roanoke about a new dis-association process that essentially fires an independent CQ store if they are below $1-1.6 million in sales annually. How many would this impact? I do not have access to independent sales numbers.

Time to move on

Just heard about some kind of Independent buyout being structured. Anyone heard anything in regard to this?

Very well stated. I left early this year and have no regrets. Although I felt bad leaving the CQ DC team that helped me grow over the years, I did not feel that continuing a relationship with a supplier that cared so little about their own people was in my best interest for the future. The continued degradation of product quality and instability with manufacturers tells me I made a good choice to leave the CQ family. Good luck to all.

We were an independent CARQUEST store and got axed by Advance who sent out salesmen immediately to go after our customers. It took us over 30 years to build up relationships and trust with our customers and tailor our inventory to their needs. It's been an honor to do business with them through that time but so much has changed over the years...cheap crap that we can't stand behind, internet competition and don't get me started on how our sales plummeted when Advance took over CARQUEST. Their poor decisions and being unwilling to listen to us on what needed to happen so that we could keep our customers left us more than unimpressed with Advance. In fact when we were raising red flags and trying to let them know what they were doing with their products was absolutely unacceptable to our customers they dropped us. We aren't the only ones they refused to listen to. We're out and we're glad and my advice to other independents is listen to your customers and do what you need to do to take care of their needs and then take another look at Advance and find another supplier.

How many are leaving?

What major line?

Well this isjust great...I get notified this morning about yet another key product line change and with it goes more of my customers.

As a fellow loyal CQ independent w/multiple locations, I've about had enough as well. I can't get a straight answer from my AE or sales manager. The latest is about filters. I find out through the grapevine that AAP is looking for a new supplier again. I want a quality filter line for my customers, not what happens to be the cheapest at the moment. My fleet customers have all gone elsewhere after we lost WIX filters. Enough. I'm out.

Go sell your junk at your retail stores.

Smart ones go NAPA and leave

Just got fired from AAP as a CQ independent. Their sales guys are blitzing my area already. All the years of my loyalty to CQ down the drain. Die you bastards!

I agree,that is why I left and became a true independent. I don't know how long we'll last but my new supplier is doing more and more with independent CQs in my area.I'm sure Advance would love to get rid of all the indy stores.

Guys and Gals. It is really simple. Even when you were with the (T3's) GPI. You were not valued as a business partner. Those days left with the father. Now, you are doing business with your competitor and sending your check to them each month. It is just a matter of time when they begin to dismantle your program i.e (AE's, FACTORY REPS, NIGHTLY DELIVERIES, LOCAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS) ANYONE from the company past or present telling you something different is just selling you down a long road nowhere. Your product is being sold in all of the Advance stores and will continue to be sold there after you have been frustrated and finally decide to leave. Sad but true. You have been loyal customers but, the loyalty is gone and you need to do what is best for you and your business. Best of luck to all. Sn

I've had enough of the Advance people. Hello NAPA.

What's the latest word? I can't get any answers from my DC.

Just got a call from my AE. Upcoming meeting regarding new independent program.

I was an independent til they dumped me to help the local Advance store,I never had any protection from the former "JV" stores.They were my competition from the time GPI took over till they told me so long s---er.The Advance store has tried to go after my former customers but they don't have knowledge,inventory or customer service.They also have told my customers how bad we were,and how they can do better.That got them nothing.

my ae called me about a meeting he attended this week. looks like the independents are being sorted for who stays and goes. company stores will be moving into areas that carquest used to protect from their company stores. this is bs. Ive invested my life in my business.

I agree....what's an AE? I have one assigned but he spends all of his time on "projects" for other independent stores. I've been a loyal jobber for a very long time, but now I feel I'm being taken for granted as a customer. Lack of leadership at advance corporate is apparent.

DC management does not have a clue regarding what is going on in the corporate store side. They are kept in the dark and told "just keep doing what you are doing". The independent owners will eventually be left holding the bag as they are disassociated with by AAP in favor of an owned location. Time to align with another group if that's an option. You've got no loyalty from the top and the guys you've worked with for years will have no say in the changes.

What's an AE? They hired a new one 17 months ago,he's never made a call on me.I'm out thank god,I'm waiting for it all to implode.