Pros
Advance is a good starting point for young adults interested in the automotive industry. It is the job that a young gear head would take instead of working at McDonalds. Most of their retail associates actually made exactly that choice when they started working for Advance. They are paid that way and receive minimal training. Customers of Advance appreciate when they are serviced by someone like myself with extensive automotive knowledge and great customer service skills.
Cons
Advance does not compensate well for experienced employees. The stores are intentionally understaffed, Managers are abused with constant pressure to make numbers when they barely are able to staff enough people to keep customers from simply walking out, many of whom do. You can and will lose potential bonus that you have earned as a Commercial Parts Professional because you have not sold enough of the "Featured Item of the Month" which is usually something such as a 4oz bottle of Lucas Fuel Injection Cleaner that no shop would ever purchase in such a small quantity.