Yesterday afternoon the wife and I were out running a few errands. It started to rain. Our windshield wiper rubber disintegrated. We happened to be near the AutoZone Auto Parts Store at 8003 Vineland Ave, Sun Valley, CA 91352, +18187670142. I opted to stop at the store and get a new set of wiper blades. We live in the Shadow Hills area which is adjacent to the Pacoima auto parts store. When we arrived at the store there were several homeless people wondering about. The wife strongly suggested I lock the car doors while I was in the store. She was prayerfully hoping our dog Dolly would keep her safe in my absence. I assured her all would be fine and locked the car door to enter the store.
Upon entering the store, I noticed there was a group of people hanging out by the cash register. I now knew my short mission would be longer than planned and got in line behind a man with a long gray beard. After waiting a minute, he turned to tell me that his line was closed, and I should go to another line. This is evidence of Murphy's law wherein the line one enters is always the wrong line. I looked around and started for another line when a nice lady behind the counter beckoned to me, "Stay here Mr., I will serve you". She motioned for the bearded man to move aside and let me up to the cash register. She was surrounded by about a dozen people. I asked the lady what type of windshield wiper blade should I get for our Rav4. With an air of authority she cheerfully said, "There are three type of blades for your Rav4, I will show you". She looked around at the group I now surmised to be an entourage of newer store trainees. She motioned me and the trainees to follower her to the windshield wiper display. She proceeded to show me and explain the three types of wiper blades I might need. Her assistant trainer stepped forward and pointed to the correct blade. A 26" Blade designed for the Toyota Rav4. Then he indicated the need for a second shorter 16" Blade. I said, "Thank you as the gray bearded guy handed me the wiper blades. I thought I was finished and was ready to pay when she said, "We will have to go look at your car and make sure these are the exact blades you will need, please follow me". With that the Boss lady led me and the group out the door to the parking lot to my car. Meanwhile my wife is looking out the window of our car along with Dolly the Dog. You might imagine their incredulous looks at the parade following me over for an inspection of our vehicle.
The nice boss lady waved her assistant over to commence operations on our wiper blades. They had chosen the right blades. He quickly removed the old blade and snapped a new one in place. The second blade also cooperated, and the blades were installed before Dolly the Dog could register even the smallest alarm. At this point I again thought we were finished but boss lady again intervened. She said to me, "Please pop your hood." Another young man trainee appeared with a bottle of windshield wiper fluid and proceeded to fill my washer canister. As the young man pressed by hood back into place, I managed to thank the group for turning my otherwise mundane chore into a blessing. I followed the boss lady with her group back into the store to pay. She comped me for the bottle of washer fluid and even gave me a discount on the blades. As long as I live in the area, this store will certainly get my business. read more