If my car headlight is out, will an auto parts store salesperson put the bulb in for me, if I buy it there?

The Advance Auto store near me installed a headlight for me. They have also installed a battery and wiper blades.

Call first. (Are you OK? Weather related?)

Here at Napa Auto the guy installed my wiper blades and checked an unrelated problem also.

@gailcalled: Roads were fine. Car mat frozen solid like a plastic bowl (even after car was warmed up sufficiently) and slid over gas pedal. I was stopped behind a lady who was waiting to turn left. I depressed brake and the car was still moving slightly while the engine was racing, which I couldn’t figure out. My car was only about a foot away from hers when I tapped her. I couldn’t figure it out till I got home and looked at the car mat. The lady’s car probably has a few hundred dollars worth of damage to bumper, which I am responsible for – very minor, thankfully. Thanks for asking. :)

@jca some auto parts stores might, and I know your not, BUT play the helpless female up and they probably will install it for you, as for the lady you hit it would probably be well worth your while to make sure she knows that YOU will pay for the damage and leave the insurance company out of it.
You don’t need your rates to go up, over a minor fender bender.

@SQUEEKY2: Yes, the lady I hit is getting estimate and mailing it to me. I told her if it’s too high I’ll give it to my insurance company. She’s a very nice lady and we seem to be working well together.

I was also told to go to the Honda dealer to get light, but I don’t want to be paying “service rates” if they try to usher me to the service center.

Some bulbs are easy to replace, and some are awful. It can take anywhere from 5 seconds (my Tahoe) to an hour.
If Advance Auto Parts puts it in for you please tip the person doing the work even though it is not required. Most likely it will be cold outdoors and they will be working with no gloves. You will make their day.

^I didn’t even think of tipping. Now I feel bad. I will the next time.

@chyna They will install batteries and wipers for you, too. Free. I know someone who worked there years ago and the poor kid would replace batteries and get a little acid on his clothes and end up having to buy new pants that he paid for out of his own money.
He told me how much he appreciated the $2 or $5. Someone once gave him a $20 near Christmas and he was so touched he almost cried. Years later he can still tell you all about the incident and the customer’s generosity.
I figure the few bucks is not going to make a difference to me but will make a big difference to the recipient working under miserable conditions for minimum wage.

Update from the Update Lady:

I went to Auto Zone and I got a bulb for the headlight and a wiper blade. Bulb was about $11 and wiper blade was about $17. They said you may have to wait a few for the guy. I didn’t wait more than 5 minutes and the guy called me. He replaced both things, it took him about 10 minutes and I gave him $15 tip. He was probably in his early 30’s and he was really nice. I was very happy to have this taken care of effortlessly. If I didn’t get it done there, I was afraid I’d have to go to the dealer and have to pay for service charge.

After he put the bulb in and the blade on, he had me put the lights on to make sure they worked and he had me spray the washer fluid on to test the wipers.

I was concerned that it was not going to be something as simple as a lamp (bulb), but something more complex like the wiring or the lens, which could be a few hundred dollars unless I want to get a friend and go down to Hunts Point (Bronx), which is a trip and a hassle.

Very nice to know if you need auto parts, these parts places may replace them for you.

My car is once again the great road machine that it once was LOL.

It’s great to know some businesses still think service is a key part of their business,and you would highly recommend them to any of your friends right?
I just wonder in this day and age all businesses don’t realize that.

I already pm’d a friend on FB and told her about how great it was.

A lot of people might think that because they, personally, are not that mechanical, their only option is a dealer or repair shop. Really is great to know you can go to an auto parts store and get something simple replaced for no additional charge except a tip. I even asked this guy to show me how he replaced the wiper blade, so he took it off and put it back on and gave me a little lesson. It really was about a 30 second thing to put the blade on.

@jca You made the guy’s week! Nice!