Advance Auto Parts

Came on a Sun to buy a new car battery and have it installed. One nice thing about Advance Auto Parts is that they will test and install batteries for free. Located in the same shopping plaza as the Lidl and Hmart. So parking is ok.

Started off well, just told them my car make, model, year and they gave me some options. Though the employee didn't really help explain the differences among the battery types beyond just pointing out the prices. Good thing I researched beforehand (CCW, reserve capacity, size, etc). Note: that if you want to keep your old battery they will charge you a $22 core fee. Luckily I didn't want my old battery so I got that fee waived. Not sure why they would charge you extra to allow you to keep your own battery?...

But then they tried to remove my old battery. My positive terminal clamps are a little corroded so the bolt holding it tight was pretty stuck. The employee noticed when trying to twist, he was bending the copper to the point that the clamps might snap and they didn't carry them in their store. So he told me that I should bring it to a car shop to have them do it..Seeing that he only tried with a basic wrench and not even a ratchet and didn't try holding the other end with pliers or something, I decided it would be best to take to a professional.

But since it was Sun, very few shops were open. I ended up trying my luck at another Advance Auto Parts and had better success.

Bottomline - come here for parts, not for their 'expertise'

This is a decent location. Sure it's where busy intersections are, but that's under expected in northern Virginia. As a on and off car buff, you'll almost always find parts here. If you're a beginner or novice, take comfort knowing they'll help you with basics like windshield wipers and batteries. Also they have a diagnostic machine for free, that with a code, will help you understand what's going on with your vehicle. This is good for peace of mind.

Their prices have gone up, but at this point with inflation, that's just the way it is. Am disappointed car batteries are often from Saudi Arabia now, as they are a fair weathered ally of the US. You can get these and other parts, or customize your car with interior options. If you're looking for car wash liquids, it is much cheaper at Walmart. Very nice employees here, whom are courteous, and also are competent.

This Advance Auto Parts center was a very clean and organized location the shelves are organized and things do not seem to be misplaced. The employees there were very helpful and reliable in showing us what products to get. It is also very secure. I heard a
Security system go off when the door was opened; that is good. Overall this location was clean and the employees were helpful. I definitely recommend this location.

buy parts that are defective, and they are not responsible for changing them. Buy one month ago

Worst customer service. I bought the car battery there and supposed to have someone help me install it to my car. When I came, the lady was rude and didn't offer any help. I know the store might be short of staff at that moment but the lady got some attitude and wasn't polite at all. I'm not coming back to this store anymore.

Top notch service from Anthony and Francis (Manager)! They definitely went above & beyond in assisting me with my vehicle issue.

I needed specific oil for my Mercedes that i could not find at any other part store. Since i called byron the gm answered and was able to get the oil i needed ordered and delivered to the store in less than a week. When i went to pick it up byron was also able to get me a few more parts i needed. He answered my questions and gave me great advise to take care of my car. Great customer service and extremely knowledgeable.

His name Walter he is Hispanic and cannot freaking speak Spanish no mames the worse costumer service!!! I came here to buy a battery for car because the battery I have is death, so
I got death my car in the parking front of the store and he said I have to bring next to the store wtf, I already explained him the battery is death and he said I need to someone towing the in front wtf he cannot walking jus three meters?? No gente así inútil no debería trabajar en lugar que se nesecita servicios, he is not a person helpful.

Well..........if you go into a place more than once, and the employees dont even look your way but see you, and one of the employees is staring out of the window like he is in jail and waiting for his release, and the other is stocking shelves and looking on his phone, and none of them greet you or say a word to you and you look lost, its best to STAY AWAY.

This store will get none of my money ever again. EVER.

I could have robbed the store if i was that type because no one was behind the register and no one was paying attention.

The first visit, the guy was smug or curt.

I went in to buy a bunch of parts and brought a small item with me to return while I was there. I took the item to the employee to return for a gift card or store credit to apply to the purchase I was going to make. The employee told me that I couldn't make a return without the receipt and that they would not offer store credit. He told me this was not possible in any way shape or form. He told me that there was no way he would return the item since I didn't have the receipt. I left and called customer service, she told me this was not true and called the store directly. She came back on the line and said the employee was very unprofessional and sent a note to the district manager. He called me a short time later and apologized, told me I should have been able to return the part for store credit and asked me to drive back to the store to return the item. I already purchased what I needed from a different auto parts store. I have bought thousands of dollars worth of parts from them in the past, never going back again.