One Stop Auto Parts

Wow. This is a great auto parts store! The people who help you are really knowledgeable and nice, and know their inventory cold. They have excellent quality parts and unbelievably fair prices. What a refreshing place to go into. There’s no snobby or stuffy attitude and on the other end of the spectrum, the parts they sell are well-​chosen and quality items, not cheap junky stuff. Yesterday I bought a battery here for my car. Other places were quoting me prices like $ 135 for in-​house-​brand batteries with an 18-​month swap out period. Here at One Stop Auto Parts they paid me $ 15 for my old battery and because of that, my new battery cost me just over $ 59 out the door. We’re talking about a Delco battery that’s excellent, top quality. The quality of the battery is reflected in the fact that Delco offers a 30 (yes, THIRTY) month swap-​out period if anything goes wrong with the battery. Amazing. One Stop doesn’t install but if you’d like someone to install your battery for you, the garage next door (literally 2 steps away, same parking lot) are extremely nice and will put the battery in for you for a very small charge. This battery is clearly great quality because I’ve been driving with it for 2 days now and my car hasn’t had pep like this since it was new. I’m glad I need a few small things for my car because I love going into this place and nosing through the shelves. Also, be sure to ask about items you don’t see because most of what they have is actually in rows behind the counter (just like an old-​fashioned hardware store). Thank you One Stop!

One Stop is my number one for the same reasons many others come here: honest, knowledgeable countermen, great pricing and the ability to get the parts. It’s not in stock? Is two hours OK with you? Impossible-​to-​get stuff takes four days in my experience.
To me this store is a refreshing change from those conceived by a room full of MBAs, and they can give solutions that don’t interest corporate MBAs. I do know *one* chain store with the green logo that repeatedly impresses me with their competency and depth. But One Stop can give you choices and tell you how they’re likely to turn out. They can get unusual stuff, maybe beat eBay prices and be reliable at the same time. Sure, image is important but if you peer over the counter back in the aisles you may be able to see considerably higher organization and cleanliness than in front. For bored-​looking guys, I suspect that if you and I knew we would both be amazed at the dollar volume these low-​key total professionals turn. It’s almost always one or two phone calls away — because they know who to call. And those old things in the yellowed packaging? They don’t make a lot of that stuff anymore, particularly the specialized tools and if you can use it, it’s gold.
I have to admit that I’m old school — my first real job was in a jobber like this one many decades ago. There aren’t many treasures like this left. So relax; ask and listen to what they tell you and ask some more if you need to. You don’t need to be perfect, if you want a «10» fuse maybe something about what kind of car it fits and what year would help you both succeed. They *are* friendly if you be, too, and they might even come alive if you ask nicely for their advice or recommendation that will be backed by mondo experience. If you have a car it is likely you’ll be back — why not introduce yourself? And yes, I’ve stood at the counter for what seemed like forever while they took the time needed to solve someone else’s problem, but I knew I’d get the same attention if I needed it. And while I was waiting I picked up a trade mag and learned about current tech on alternator overrun pulleys, another time found a tool I needed and they had the best price. No, I’m not still in the auto trade, just a geek with some old cars I’m very fond of. And anytime we undertake a repair on anything, isn’t it always against all odds? That’s why we’re here on Unilocal,right?

If I went to an auto parts store for ambiance, I wouldn’t go here.
Since honest and friendly service, while also having the parts I need, when I need them, is what I look for in an auto parts store, it’s easy to give this place 4 stars.

These are very nice people. They are highly skilled auto parts counter persons. They know their industry very well. So what if it is not nicely remodeled and spiffy. This is an old time old school auto parts store with staff that know their business. I really like doing business there.

People, of course the shelves are nearly bare, and of course they deal to people with old cars — look around the neighborhood! You’re not in Kansas anymore.

This place is tired and worn out. The shelves are nearly bare. There are abandoned vehicles in the parking lot. The stock on pegboards is dusty often with plastic packaging turned yellow by the passage of time. The employees look tired also. Nice. Knowledgeable. But tired, perhaps tired of saying «we’d have to order that». Really this place caters only to people with older domestic vehicles trying to keep them running against all odds.
While I yearn for an alternative to the apathy, sterility and cheaper-​than-​reasonable quality at Kragen/O’Reiley, that’s where I made my second stop. Maybe I’ll try CarQuest next time.

Ok. I’m already upset that my car isn’t starting, Kragen doesn’t have what I need. I call these guys just to make sure they have the correct fuse stocked. The conversation is as follows:
Guy: What’s up?
Me: Is this one stop auto?
Guy: Sure
Me: Do you carry fuses
Guy: Sure
Me: Well, can you make sure you have a 10?
Guy: Sure
Me…
Guy…
Ended call
Looks like I’ll be taking the bus all the way to East Oakland to General Auto parts.
Idiot

This place should be called «First Stop Auto Parts» The shelves are bare, and the place looks like it hasn’t been cleaned since the big earthquake. The guy I dealt with was nice enough, but you can’t sell anything that you don’t have.

Helpful, kind and knowledgeable people. They had what I needed at a good price and actually talked to me. It was so far above the frustrated, soul-​crushing experience of a Kragen or Auto Zone that I’m somewhat speechless. I’m kicking myself for not visiting here earlier.