People at autozone don't know shit

When I worked at NAPA (ten years ago), I was told the there were only a handful of company owned stores. The rest were all franchises. Not sure if that's changed or not, but a family owned business is always a better bet than a corporate chain store. Autozone, Kragen, Oreilys, all chain stores. Carquest may have franchises.

For the most part, the local NAPA seems to have well trained people working there. The chain stores, not so much. The customer service varies between our local Oreily's and the Autozone. I won't go in the Oreily's at all anymore, they just suck to deal with. The Autozone guys at least try.

Interestingly enough, the NAPA seems to attract the smarter, more polite customers. When I went from NAPA to Kragen, I noticed immediately that many of there customers were rude as hell, and most didn't know shit about what they were doing. And they all complained about the attitudes the guys at the NAPA had. My attitude towards ALL the customers was influenced by the 50 percent or so that were super rude to me. It was not unheard of to have an employee get assaulted in that place either. The place just attracted the scum of the earth for some reason. So I'm not surprised at all to hear stories about employees that don't give a shit. I used to keep a hammer under the counter just in case I had to defend myself. It's hard to be Mr Friendly and helpful when you're constantly having to watch for trouble. NAPA just had a no bullshit type atmosphere. Customers generally didn't cop an attitude with me, and I treated them accordingly, with respect.

Figure out where the locally owned stores are and deal with them. Even if it costs you more. And be polite until someone gives you a reason not to be. NAPA gives a 5% AAA discount.

 

To answer your question, I believe there is only one size for optimas. A group 34/78 if I remember right. 34 is top terminal, 78 is side post, optima will have both on it. I think 34 is slightly wider than a 35. Physical size has nothing to do with CCA rating.