Pros
I have flexibility of schedule, we don't maintain late night hours that are just to "Keep up with the Jones's" We are off on holidays as we should be. We don't have mass layoffs to placate shareholders. We are paid above average wages, our benefits and company match for our 401k beats the competition. We are rewarded for training and they pay for my ASE Certifications. We are leaders in the auto parts industry for a reason. We take care of our own which translates to we take care of our customers. THAT is how American companies should be.
Cons
They make 65% of their business from shops on their jobber side on a razor thin margin and worse yet deliver for free. They would make more money if they improved the retail experience for their over the counter business.Margins would increase 40% The stores pale in comparison to an O'Reilly's or Pep Boys. If this changed then customers would spend money there on high margin products other than starters and alternators. It is especially helpful that a large number of the counter help are ASE certified, crushing the "Dumb counter guy" stigma. They really do not have a decent retail sales floor but do have parts at more competitive prices. If they were to buy O'Reilly's and convert their $7.50 and hour counter guys to their $15.00 an hour counter guys they would have a winner. Staying open until 10:00 pm does not make more money in the auto parts business. In fact in Sacramento this past year a counter guy got murdered at O'Reilly's.