I had recently bought an '89 IROC-Z Camaro as a project. I rebuilt lots of things on the car using parts from numerous auto parts places. The air conditioning system needed to be fixed, and I wanted parts that were reliable.
Based on the reputation NAPA has, I chose them as the supplier from where I would purchase my needed components. I bougt a remanufactured compressor from them, an orifice tube, and an accumulator. All of these are necessary for the system to work properly, and to fulfill the warranty requirements set forth by NAPA. I put the parts on the car, then drove to a licensed A/C repair shop where the system was converted to R134a refrigerant.
After two weeks, the front bearing on the compressor destroyed itself. The NAPA shop in Minocqua, Wisconsin wouldn't give me only a new front clutch, they would only replace the compressor as a whole. So, I removed the old compressor, and returned it for a new one accompanied by all the reciepts and proof of work. Reluctantly, they supplied me with a new compressor. I had to buy a new orifice tube and accumulator to go along with these to keep the warrany on the replacement. Back to the repair shop I went, where the work was performed for a second time.
I then moved to Las Vegas. After being here for two weeks, the A/C had noticeably poor cooling, and the compressor was constantly cycling on and off. I noticed refrigerant seeping out of the compressor at numerous points. I took the car to an A/C shop here, where they verified the inside of the compressor was destroyed.
I contacted NAPA in Henderson on Boulder Highway, explained to them where I had bought the original compressor and was told to bring in the old one with the receipts. They have a replacement waiting for me. I went back to the A/C shop with the Camaro and had them remove the old compressor, and took it to the NAPA I spoke with. The kid behind the counter said they would have to order one from Los Angeles, and it wouldn't be here until tomorrow. I asked where the one they had for me went, and couldn't get an answer.
I spoke with the sales rep I had talked to on the phone. He said they would have to order one because he'd made a mistake on part numbers. So now I've got the car on the rack at a repair shop, and can't get a replacement part. Fine. Next, I ask for the money back ONLY on the compressor. They refused, saying I'd have to contact the NAPA I bought the compressor from.
I didn't have time to track people down, and fight over a couple thousand miles over it, since my car was still on the rack at the repair shop. I went accross the street to Autozone and got a new compressor. The repair shop supplied me with the rest of the components.
Once the work was completed, I contacted the store in Minocqua, Wisconsin to see how I could return the compressor and recover my money. They refused, saying they would only give me a replacement compressor. They ignored my response that I didn't need one since I had bought one from Autozone because of the position NAPA had put me in, and simply stated, "That's all we can do." I emailed NAPA Corporate numerous times about the problem, and couldn't get a phone number to call them.
Neither the website or the NAPA parts stores would help me. The NAPA in Henderson even went so far as to tell me they had no idea who the "regional manager" was, and had no way to contact the corporate office.
So, I've paid out nearly $1400 in parts and labor, and finally have a system that has been working fairly well. I can't contact NAPA, and no branch will help me, or give me the money for the compressor. I'll NEVER use NAPA for anything again, and strongly recommend to anyone to never set foot in their stores.
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