AutoZone Worker Refuses To Change Woman’s Battery. Then She Asks An O’Reilly Employee: ‘They Lost'

A woman says O’Reilly Auto Parts saved the day after she claims AutoZone was unable to help install her new car battery.

User @farmers_laughter2021, a content creator who typically does not post car-related videos, shared her experience after getting help replacing her vehicle’s battery.

“Thank goodness for O’Reilly! AutoZone had no idea how to put the battery in, so they lost that $286.00 sale,” she wrote in the text overlay of her clip.

In the video, @farmers_laughter2021 showed an O’Reilly employee working under the seat of her vehicle while praising the store for helping her.

The clip sparked a discussion in the comments section about what customers should expect from auto parts stores.

Several viewers pointed out that stores like AutoZone and O’Reilly are retailers, meaning employees may not be able to perform every type of vehicle service. As of this writing, the video has more than 2 million views.

Do Auto Parts Stores Install Batteries? 

In general, many auto parts stores offer battery installation, but that does not mean every vehicle will qualify.

Both O’Reilly and AutoZone advertise free battery testing and installation services for customers who buy a new battery at their stores. However, according to Redditors, the service can depend on the vehicle and whether employees can safely access and replace the battery.

That’s because not every battery is sitting directly under the hood. Some vehicles have batteries located in hard-to-reach spots that may require additional steps, tools, or the removal of other components.

In those cases, employees may be unable to complete the installation, and a customer may need to take the vehicle to a repair shop instead.

@farmers_laughter2021’s situation sparked a discussion over this phenomenon. While she praised the helpful O’Reilly worker, some viewers pointed out that most auto parts employees are not mechanics and, as a result, should not be expected to perform even seemingly simple mechanical tasks, such as a battery replacement.

Indeed, if you need a new battery, the safest bet is to check with your local store beforehand and tell them your vehicle’s make and model. That way, employees can let you know whether it is something they can install or if it needs to go to a mechanic.

‘Do You Expect Walmart To Come Install Your TV For Free?’

While @farmers_laughter2021 praised O’Reilly for helping her, many commenters pushed back, arguing that customers should not expect auto parts employees to perform every type of installation.

“They aren’t a mechanic shop. They’re a retail store. Do you expect Walmart to come install your TV for free?” one person wrote.

“Reminder.. when u go to the parts store, you are the mechanic. They are parts guys,” another said.

Some commenters suggested there may have been a reason AutoZone employees did not install the battery, with several claiming workers have limits on what they are allowed to do.

“It’s against policy, we’re not gonna get fired over a battery… also we couldn’t care less about a lost sale, we get nothing out of it,” one person wrote.

“Technically neither [store is] supposed to work on anything that is inside of the car for safety and insurance purposes,” another added.

“If it’s not under the hood, they won’t touch it,” a third claimed.

Others said employees are paid hourly and are not necessarily affected by missing one sale.

“They’re not commission. They don’t gaf about your battery,” one commenter said.

“As a parts person, we don’t care. Trust me lol,” another added.

Some viewers also questioned why the customer could not install the battery herself.

“It’s two wires, why couldn’t u do it?” one asked.

“Ok, and you couldn’t do it?” another echoed.

Others joked that a major retailer wouldn’t be upset about losing a single purchase.

“Target refused to cook my meals. They just lost my $2 ramen sale,” one person joked.

“I don’t think a billion-dollar company gives a [expletive] tbh,” another added.

Motor1 has reached out to @farmers_laughter2021 via direct message on TikTok and to O’Reilly and AutoZone via email. We’ll update this story if we hear back.