AutoZone Auto Parts

I've spent countless hours in this place since it opened and the local place went out of business. It is a mighty poor replacement for the old independent parts store we used to have in town, but by today's standards, it's pretty decent and much better than many Autozones I've been to. If you're not familiar with the Autozone chain, they sell mostly garbage Mexican-made parts, but I guess the stuff is about as good as you're likely to find among the big Wal-Mart style autoparts chains. They do offer several helpful policies such as some free diagnostic work and the free (with deposit) loan-a-tool program (although the tools loaned are the same cheap Chinese junk they sell in the store).



Unfortunately, the Princeton store has recently had a big staffing shuffle, and the place doesn't run as smoothly as it used to (though that will likely improve). If you are looking for parts for a normal vehicle, I guess it really doesn't matter which counter person you deal with, but if you are looking for rare/unusual/older-vehicle parts, you'd better get the big guy (I can't remember his name but you'll know him when you see him). He's highly competent with the computer, and he is friendly, patient, and helpful. He actually knows something about cars but also posses the rare quality of realizing that he doesn't know it all, so he won't try to tell you your business. All around great guy and a damned fine parts man. The younger kids are just kids, but the only person you REALLY don't want to deal with is the middle-aged woman. She is arrogant, controlling, bossy, unpleasant, and unable to deal with anything out of the ordinary. If you are looking for something unusual or if, God forbid, the damned computer disagrees with you, you'll have your hands full with this woman. She is one of the "the computer can't be wrong" types, and can really make life difficult if you're getting creative with parts swapping. She can run the computer well enough, but knows just enough about cars to be "dangerous" (and acts like she's the third Tappet Brother). Don't say I didn't warn you. I REALLY hate to say it given the quality of the parts, but this is probably the best place to go for parts in Princeton.