AutoZone

[Fredr500]

My situation, and opinion, exactly.

A lot of big companies and government agencies have silly "zero tolerance" policies on various things, driven by fear of litigation and by the death of common sense. Thus they rigidly follow their policies, with no thinking required.

Cynically, I doubt that writing to Auto Zone or leaving a customer comment will do the slightest amount of good, because most companies don't actually pay any attention to that stuff - at best it is collected and summarized by low-level employees and rarely makes its way to any decision-maker unless it is a high-profile, public-sympathy item.

You're probably right but it depends on the company. I know where I work e dry customer comment is reviewed by several people. But we sell multi-million dollar software. Retail probably not the case.

[LorenzoB]

QuercusMax, I also don't think corporate will ever read these comments. They are meant to spread the word (bad publicity). If it weren't for people spreading the word here, I may not have seen or heard anything about it. If enough bad publicity spreads on this, Autozone corporate will regret they did the wrong thing, AND other companies might think twice when faced with a similar circumstance knowing there may be national backlash. It is also good for non-gun people to hear about this, because even they will know this was a good situation to have and use a gun. Stories like this remind people that guns aren't bad, cold non-thinking corporate policies are... and in the end... common sense wins another point even though McLain got fired.

[AJBert]

QuercusMax, I also don't think corporate will ever read these comments. They are meant to spread the word (bad publicity). If it weren't for people spreading the word here, I may not have seen or heard anything about it. If enough bad publicity spreads on this, Autozone corporate will regret they did the wrong thing, AND other companies might think twice when faced with a similar circumstance knowing there may be national backlash. It is also good for non-gun people to hear about this, because even they will know this was a good situation to have and use a gun. Stories like this remind people that guns aren't bad, cold non-thinking corporate policies are... and in the end... common sense wins another point even though McLain got fired.

This has already made the national news (as seen on the local news). Autozone will feel a backslash, though I couldn't say what the result will be.

[LorenzoB]

At least part of the result will be that gun ownership and the proper use of guns will be presented in a good light at a national level. That guns can stop crime and potentially save lives when used as a tool in the proper hands. Maybe, just maybe, some anti-gun person will realize not all guns are bad and gun people are bad. And it gives an opportunity to speak to others about this incident in a good light. McLean already has some opportunities of his own now, so I think he will be ok. The sheriff is planning on giving him an award for service too. He did the right thing and said he wouldn't do it any differently if he could do it over.

[Fredr500]

I won't patronize them any more, but I did have a good experience there last time.

Went in for wiper blades, only person working was a 16 year old girl. Asked me what I needed as soon as I walked in, told her blades, she took me to the aisle, give me pros and cons on each style, asked what vehicle I drove and got out the right size.

After ringing me up she offered to install them. I said sure, she walked out and changed them one-handed! No fumbling, no forcing, just snap off, click on, have a good day.

I was impressed with the whole experience.