Customer Insists on Accompanying Mechanic to AutoZone for Parts, Sparking Controversy

Recently, Dallas-based mobile auto technician @habibi_mobileautoservice shared an experience on TikTok: after a customer agreed to her repair quote, he insisted on accompanying her to AutoZone to purchase the parts himself, claiming he wanted to “monitor” the costs. The technician explained that she had already offered two options—either the customer could buy the parts himself or she could purchase them on his behalf—but she refused to go shopping together as a group. She clarified that parts purchased by her come with dual protection: not only the manufacturer’s warranty but also a labor warranty. If the customer buys the parts himself and issues arise later, it becomes difficult to assign responsibility and could compromise the quality of the repair. The video sparked heated discussion online. Many fellow technicians and viewers supported her stance, calling the customer’s request overreaching, while others questioned why AutoZone was involved in the first place. In reality, retail stores like AutoZone are commonly used for urgent or common parts, whereas high-end or specialized components are typically sourced directly from OEM (original equipment manufacturer) channels. The video has now garnered over 38,000 views.