Advance Auto Parts in
Sterling (VA)

Review for Advance Auto Parts – July 9, 7 PM (Tuesday): I had a very disappointing and unprofessional experience at this location. I came in needing a specific tool bit to remove a TPMS sensor — something I’d only use once. I politely asked if I could quickly use the tool in the parking lot after buying it. The employee — a shorter Asian man working around 7 PM on Tuesday, July 9 — told me, “I do mind, actually.” I respected his answer and responded by saying I’d just buy the tool and return it in a few minutes. What he said next shocked me: “I hate customers like you,” and he repeated it more than once. I was stunned. I hadn’t been rude or demanding — I was simply trying to solve a problem and had been transparent about what I needed. He then added a condescending remark, suggesting every man should already have a full toolbox. I do own a toolbox — just not that particular bit. This kind of judgmental and aggressive attitude is completely uncalled for, especially in a customer service role. I hope management takes this seriously, because no one should be spoken to like that for asking a reasonable quest

Friendly staff...allowed me a lot of latitude with tools and exchanging of items to install battery and posts... would revisit...Bought replacement windshield wiper blade from the Sterling location and they were extremely helpful and will definitely return because of their very nice staff, but the location in Oxon Hill was the location one was where I purchased the Battery and they were exceptional....Sorry about the mixup....

Excellent costumer service, Mr Eric is really professional seller , and take his time to explain u everything related to ur parts!!

I stopped by to get my battery replaced, I was in and out of there in no time. Shout-out to Erik for being so friendly, yet, efficient and professional. He even recommended a product for my foggy head lights, which turned out to be a great advice.

Store manager would not honor an optima battery warranty because the battery wasn't bought at that particular location

I’ve heard about how unfriendly and unprofessional this location is but now I believe it is true. On Sept 8th I called ahead to make sure if I can get a battery replacement there and the guy said he could do it. I drove there and then the same guy told me they could not do it since there were only 2 employees at the moment. I looked around and there are only me and 1 other customer. The store was not busy at all so I assume he was just being lazy.

**Update: went in and spoke with the manager who apologized for the issue and stated that they were going to retrain staff on how to handle such issues. I appreciate the apology and the efforts being made to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. This location has absolutely TERRIBLE service. Picked up an online order, got it home to find the part number of the cabin air filter I received didn’t match the part number on the receipt. No big deal. I paid for the correct part number and mistakes happen, so I’ll just go in and swap it out for the correct part number. Their inventory remains correct, no exchanges or price differences were at play. I just needed to give them the filter which they erroneously gave me, part number FDC11776, let them know about the error and get the filter I already paid for, FDC11176. Having an automotive service background, I know how these systems work from years of dealing with them. It’s a simple swap and a handshake, since no inventory adjustments or refunds need to be made. The guy behind the counter proceeds to tell me that I cannot have the filter I already paid for and leave the one given to me by them in error and that only a manager can make that call. I explained again and got the same dumbfounding answer. After a bit of back and forth and protest, I was SOL, expressed my views on his customer service techniques and left… still with the wrong filter. All I need is the filter which I paid for and therefore rightfully own, which means I now have to take time out of my schedule to go back and deal with this idiocy again tomorrow. This is all for no other reason for this mess than to be an inconvenience to the customer, because there is ZERO logic to the entire thing. I’ve gone to Advance because it’s close and they usually have the basics I’m looking for, but never going back to the Sterling Blvd location again. Ridiculous waste of time and effort.

Brian Woo is a beast, excellent customer service and he explains things sooo well, thank you sir

False advertising! Giant sign out front that says “FREE battery testing and installation”. Came in to get my car battery tested and to buy a new one. and was given the run around that at least 3 people have to be on shift in order for them to come out and test it etc. Don’t waste your time here.

They went way above and beyond to assist us on 2/7 with a battery light and alternator belt that snapped. We can’t say enough kind things about both of them. They are also very knowledgeable.

The only Advance Audio Parts that doesn't do Engine Check diagnostics. They will only give you the gadget and its up to you to figure out how to use it!!!!. Very unhelpful and bad customer service!

Ryan and Marco are great! It's the only auto parts venue I shop at. Customer service is good, and management cares for their clients. Overall, it is a pleasant experience each time you go!

My husband & I went to this location today because the battery that was purchased just under a year still under warranty. I advised the only employee there that we charged it and it showed at 100% he checked it & it showed at 50% & he told us we used too high of amps to charge it yet my friend & Stepfather who are certified mechanics said the amps has nothing to do with charging the battery other than the length of time to charge it. He even refused to look at the receipts & added warranty info for the battery he acted as if we were wasting his time. So not going to that advance auto location again.

Beware if you believe they will install your car battery as they advertise. I purposely bought my car battery from this Advance Auto store because their advertisements claim they will install your battery. I purchased on-line, using my account, which clearly indicated what model car I own. When I went to the store for pick-up / install, they asked what model car it is. Then they said because it would take more than 30 minutes, they would not install it. (On his computer screen it clearly stated less than 30-minute install). Anyway, I had to go somewhere else, at a moment's notice for the install, which costed me A LOT of money (and that place got it done in 23 minutes, by the way). Since free battery installation is advertised on their website, and in huge letters on the outside of this store (22360 S. Sterling, Blvd, Sterling, VA), I would like Advance to issue me a refund on part of the total cost. * Bottom line: before you make the mistake of buying a battery from Advance Auto, you had better call the store ahead to make sure they will honor their "free battery installation" promise on your car.

Very poor customer service from an older Hispanic gentleman. I purchased a battery from this location in 2014. They tested my battery, I purchased a new one, then they had me pull around back and changed it. The process took all of 20 minutes. This time I go to the same location, the employee pulls up my vehicle and says that they aren't allowed to change the battery and he can sell it to me and I have to install it. The sign on THEIR window states "FREE BATTERY TESTING AND INSTALLATION ". Not my words, theirs. He is trying to convince me that they are not allowed to install the batteries and this is the store policy. He also says that his computer told him not to change it. I asked him if I could see were it states that they are not allowed to do it and it only says that it could take greater than 45 minutes. This is not true either based on prior results. He was lying and I am very disappointed in how I was treated when I visited this store. I will not revisit this location. Update: My son went to Autozone, bought a battery and changed it in 10 minutes. This Advanced Auto Parts location is useless.

I was sold the the wrong spark plugs for my 2018 mustang ecoboost. They sold me sp-537 but the correct ones are SP-550. I went in the store knowing it's not any associates fault but still. I talked to the store manager Ozzie he was super helpful and nice. He refunded me my money back. I'm still mad at advance auto part for recommending the wrong part which lead my coils to break, but the associates at that location are super nice.

I would not go back into the store. Employees had me waiting for over 10 minutes while they were not helping other customers then when someone finally greeted me they refused to assist me in reading the car computer. When I asked if they were saying they would not do it they said I could use the machine and do it myself. Absolutely unacceptable customer service.

It just depends which day, what shift which customer service Rep you come across. Mostly OK but couple of people there are just busy going out to smoke for over half hour every 15 to 20 minutes. They are not intetested to help maybe some particular kind of people.

Advance Auto Parts is not staying up with current market pricing. If you can wait a day you can get almost anything they sell on Amazon for cheaper. Nice for emergencies though.

Very typical store, but I had a bad experience with their phone system. I called this store 3 times before going there to see if they have a wiper blade for my car. Every time, I was being put on hold, and during the hold time, I was disconnected.

I don't usually go to Advanced auto. But they have good tool lending program. It saves you money buying specialty tools. Sometimes they have good oil and filter specials.

GREAT customer service. The gentleman behind the counter saw me walking to the wiperblade section and before I could start shopping he asked if I wanted wiperblade help, he note the make and model of my car they the window and came around the counter to pick out the proper blades. Awesome!

Normally stocked well with a wide array of parts for most cars. I've worked on 3 cars using parts from this location and using the discounts available on the site the prices where unbeatable compared to other auto part stores

I accidentally left my phone while shopping. The employees accessed it and left a Facebook post in my account letting people know I should call them to get my phone. I consider this quite unethical, even if well meaning, and I had a flurry of people call family members on my behalf. Will not be shopping here again.

Worst employees ever. This employee literally told me that I could come back and return 30 day guarantee. He gave me the wrong sensor and then two days later I came back and they said no we can't take it . We argued and spoke with manger there , and the other employee was ridiculously rude and disrespectful. The mangers name was bobby, he was rude and he didn't even try to understand. I understand if you can't return but if your employee said you can there needs to be some responsibility taken. They didn't even apologize they told us "I'm not going to discuss or negotiate with you" in a very rude manner . There was no "customer first policy" what so ever. When we first arrived the manager told us to talk to the employee then employee told us to go back to the manager, it was ridiculous. No one knew what they were doing and they were probably being disrespectful because we are young adults. Never have I been more disrespected than here.

I had a part covered under warranty from another store. Everyone was very nice and helpful, and provided Quick Service. They exchanged my part and got me on my way. Thank you very much.

Customer service here is surprisingly good. The guy who was helping me made me feel like my issue was important and didn't dismiss my problem or give up. I really appreciated this level of customer service in a place where it is very easy to get frustrated and dismissive of customers who can be overbearing and impatient.