Here's my experience.

AutoZone: They've had some of the best prices on parts, but the quality is sometimes questionable. I had a rear axle seal go bad on my Dodge diesel, so I went to AutoZone and picked up two new ones. One month after installation, one went bad.

NAPA: I bought a headlight switch from them for $27.00. The dealer wanted $40.00. Guess what, the one from NAPA was bad.

Kragen: Burned out bulb sold to me as new.

Final analysis: Careful examination of all parts IMMEDIATELY. Also, IMMEDIATE installation, no waiting for a couple of weeks or for that matter, even a couple of days. That way you can run back to the supplier and slam dunk them.

Tools? Tough to beat Sears (Proto or Snap-On.) Lifetime guarantee and right around the corner for Sears in most places in the U.S.

Sure, some of the stuff from Walmart, Target and others have lifetime guarantees, but that doesn't do you much good when you have a wheel off and you snap the head off of the only 3/8" socket you have in the set you just bought from Target to throw in the trunk. Of course, this didn't happen to me about a month ago when I......I mean a friend, was changing out the brakepads on my......I mean his, girlfriend's car.

83 300SD 172K