After leaving a late afternoon meeting today, I remembered that the wipers on my RX 300 were squeeking and scraping the last time I used them during some light rain showers.  I’ve been to several auto parts stores in Des Moines, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I pulled into AutoZone at 7900 Douglas Blvd in Urbandale, Iowa.  My first impression was positive.  The store was bright and clean, there seemed to be several people working in case I needed help, and at the time all of them were busy with other customers, which I thought was a good sign.

I found the windshield wiper section of the store and began sizing up my options.  This Auto Zone store carried several brands of wiper blades and refills, including Bosch, Duralast, Pylon, Anco, and a couple of others.  Once I located the two sizes I needed, I grabbed a pair and was heading for the checkout when an employee asked me if I needed any help.  I told her that I thought I had the right set, but she immediately punched my vehicle specs into her computer.  She confirmed that I had the right sizes, but she also said the she wouldn’t necessarily recommend the brand I chose.  Together, we went back to the wiper blades/refills aisle and she pointed me to the Anco options.

As I was paying for my blades (about $20 for the pair), this same employee asked me if I’d like to have her install the blades.  I told her that would be great and she followed me out to my suv, where she quickly proceeded to pop off one of my old blades and put on the new one.  I did the same on the passenger side, and the job was done in about 2 minutes.

I was really impressed with the initiative she took, as well as the great customer service.  I’d love to mention her name here, so if anyone knows - please add a comment (otherwise I’ll call sometime to get it).  This Auto Zone gets my vote as a great place in the Des Moines metro to get your car parts, especially if they also happen to be wiper blades!  As Arnold would say…I’ll be back.

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