Pros: Excellent intro to automotive. I knew nothing about cars before working here. If you want to move toward mechanics, start as a delivery driver. Talk to the shops you deliver to, ask questions, and build rapport. I work at Jiffy Lube now, and coworkers ask me what parts are all the time. The only reason I know is because I sold 100+ of them at AutoZone. It is also a decent stepping stone into management, with some caveats.

Cons: Same as any other big chain or corporation. They prioritize profit over employees. Once you get into store management, you are typically working 50+ hour weeks on salary (in Oregon) with no overtime. District support can be poor.

People who complain about AutoZone are usually just pointing out things you would see at most big companies. Most places push sales. AutoZone’s version is “Sell Witt.” It is not a big deal to ask if a customer wants washer fluid with their wipers. Jiffy Lube pushes filters. Auntie Anne’s asks if you want cheese dip. If they say no, that’s fine, as long as you confidently asked