JM
Jessica Mcdowell
Nov 20, 2025
This was my second time being a customer here. The first time, about a year ago, I received immaculate service from an African American employee. I don’t live in this area, but I visit often because I work in the community. Today, I came in expecting the same level of service. I’ve purchased brake lights here before and had them replaced by a technician or representative without any issues.
When I arrived today, the store was full, yet the staff were still able to keep up with customer flow. I watched them help about several women Latina, mixed, and white by replacing windshield wipers, brake lights, headlights, fog lights, and even daytime running lights. These women were not turned away or told, “We don’t do that kind of work.” The employees even walked them out, held doors open, opened their trunks and hoods, and replaced everything that was purchased.
When it was my turn, I purchased my brake lights and then asked for assistance installing them. I had received this service before. My brake light housing only requires four screws to remove, and then the bulb twists out simple. Instead, I was given excuses. I was told they don’t provide these services for my car, or that they “don’t do that” anymore. Meanwhile, I had just watched them do the exact same work for multiple other women whose cars actually required more work than mine.
The manager, who is African American, looked me dead in my face an African American woman and told me he couldn’t help me. I found that extremely strange and honestly disrespectful. The rain didn’t stop them from helping the other customers, and it wasn’t an issue until it came to me. I wasn’t there to flirt, get anyone’s number, or make anyone uncomfortable. I simply needed assistance replacing my brake light for my safety because it was raining.
What I experienced felt blatantly disrespectful and discriminatory. They had no problem helping other minority or white women with the same service, yet when it came to me, suddenly they “don’t do that.” As I stood outside trying to do the work myself without tools they didn’t offer me a loaner tool, guidance, or even basic courtesy. Meanwhile, I watched them use store tools, equipment, and even electrical tape to help two other customers get their lights working.
As a Black woman, I was ignored, dismissed, and left standing there in the rain. I will never come back to this location. When did AutoZone implement a policy that they don’t assist with lights? And why was that “policy” only applied to me?
It was disgusting to see an African American man treat an African American woman, like a second class citizen. I will be reporting this experience to the Better Business Bureau for blatant disrespect, discrimination, and unequal treatment. The manager kept repeating that installing lights was a “courtesy service” and claiming customers need to “pay a technician” for it. Yet, at the same exact moment, employees were outside helping another customer with the same issue I asked for help with.
This is exactly why Black women in this community must speak up and report businesses and individuals who do not treat us equally. I have never been treated so unfairly by another Black man while other men from all different cultures stood by and watched.