Serious Decline in Quality Knowledgeable Counter people at Parts stores...

I'm lucky enough to live near a small town that has a parts store that has been in business, owned by the same family, since the 20's. The current 3rd Generation owner has put the inventory and parts lists on the computer but he very seldom looks up a part #for any older american car. He just goes and gets it. If one of the younger guys is helping and he overhears what I want, he usually yells across the room with the part # so they can go get it. He still has all the old books so if I'm working on something non stock I can dig though them and find what I want. I guess it helped that one of the first real jobs I had in the early 70's was at a parts counter and machine shop. If I have to buy anything at the chain stores I at least look up what I need on their website and just go in with a part #. Of course sometimes i get someone that doesnt know how to look up a part with the part # alone then I have to go through the application BS. It pays to know the system before you go in.

 

When I was much younger we dealt with a family owned auto parts store, complete with wooden floors. The owners lived above the store. If at 10 PM you needed something, you rang their door bell, they would come down and sell you whatever you needed. If I wanted to find a family owned store now, I couldn't. They no longer exist in my area. I'm like everyone else, I dread the inevitable, "what year, make and model do you need that radiator hose for".

 

Bwahahaha! you guys living in Happymotorland.

Here in Germany we have ATU and that´s about it.
It´s like a Autozone with only 10% of the parts but twice the prices.

You can get parts if you have a car that is not older than 10 years and you need to have the title with you. The kid puts the number in the computer and brings what ever pops up.

I needed a water pump the kid brings a wheel cylinder.

me: "That´s not a water pump"
Kid: "but the number says it is one"

If you want a real thrill order something generic.

It goes like that:

me: "I need a fan belt 70cm long 2 cm wide"

kid: "Ah you have the title?"

me: "it´s a modifed setup, just gimme a fan belt 70cm long 2 cm wide"

kid: "what car ist it and what year"

me: "41 Chevy"

kid: "I don´t have that in the computer"

me: "aaaarghhh why don´t you just give me that dammed fan belt"

kid: "we don´t have fan belts for that year an model"

me: "yeah, but you have fan belts, lot´s a different fan belts right?"

kid: "yes sir"

me: "So why don´t you just gimme a fan belt 70cm long 2 cm wide"

kid: "do you have a the title?"

ahhh, you get the picture...


Muffler shops? Driveline shops? Haha - dream on.

Junkjards? not for cars older than 15 years.

Frank

 

Try radio shack on for size&#8230;try buying something from them while refusing to give them your name/address/phone number. It is comical.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
A motivational speaker was talking about it. He wanted batteries. He slid the batteries to the cashier with the exact amount of money. The cashier asked for his personal information. He told him it is not important. Just ring me up please. The counter guy said sorry he can not do that without his personal information. He said they went back and forth&#8230;then said let me talk to the manager. He went back and forth with the manager and finally the manager said he had a solution and rang him up and said have a nice day. He asked the manager what did he do? The manager said oh simple. I put in my information. Which just so happens to print out on the receipt. He joked that he keeps that information to use for all future purchases that want personal information.<o></o>
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I applied at parts stores a couple different times both before I went to college for auto technology and after. Put all my auto experience on the applications both times, followed up and so on. Never did get an interview; apparently having a clue made me overqualified for the job.

 

At the parts store that I work at, you can refuse to give us information and we'll type in the phone number 111-1111, and the the name will appear of "refuse, refuse." No BS, but good luck if you need a warranty exchange.

When someone comes in asking for an oil pan gasket for a SBC and I can tell that the motor's involved in a swap, I'll ask what they would like me to look the motor up under (i.e., '85 GMC, '67 Camaro...). It just makes my job easier, because the computer will just spit out the number.
In order to get the computer to say anything, you have to tell it year, make, model, and engine. Trannies and such are only for transmission specific parts on our system, like some starters, or... a clutch set.

We have about 30 binders under our counter with 3-6 books in each of them, but if the time doesn't need to be wasted going through them, than it's not worth it.

All the same, whatever part you need for whatever vehicle you have, I'll get it for you.

 

The $$ just isn't there. After high school, 15 yrs. ago I worked at Autoworks owned by checkers and Kragen. I started out at $6.00 a year later and after several performance reviews I was making $6.50. I told them that it wasn't enough of a raise to buy an extra roll of toilet paper at the end of the week. Retail chain stores just DON'T CARE about there staff or their lack of knowledge about an automobile.
On one occasion the DM got pissed at me because I had on comfortable sneakers and not "dressy" shoes. I replied, "is this a fashion show or am I here to sell parts". Meanwhile I MUST run the cash register up front putting thru up to $10,000 in my shift AND help the fellow parts guy moron with people. If my register is off buy more than $1.00 I get written up?!
It seems to me that the chain stores attract the average stupid ass public. On one occasion I was asked for a washer because her son needed one while working on his car. Or can't you look up what the type and size of bolt I need? WTF
It's reassuring to know around here not too far away in any direction there IS a REAL partsman that knows what they are talking about.

 

I went to one of the chain stores here yesterday, and got everything I asked for, but it took about 45 mins. It's the only parts store that has been able...(and willing)... to actually look up the parts I need.
It baffles most of them when they here I've got a '52 Cadillac with a '77 Cad engine and tranny, with a '69 Impala rearend.
Hell, it's even hard on me trying to figure out what parts I need.

 

my father owns a NAPA and to be quite honest... he stocks close to a million parts in the two story building... One of the largest NAPA's in Kansas... (2nd, next to mcpherson) and to be trite.. everyone that works there.. there is close to 100 years of experience... with all eight guys! You can ask for anything and they already have the part in hand... Abilene Auto Parts.. you rock!

 

I have had real good luck with Napa but the quality of the parts isn't as good as it used to be. The counter guy here locally has been there 20+ years and is very knoledgeable. but I know about the autozone/kragen/etc.. computer guys...Points for a 64 dodge--forget it... I will find it myself online and have Rock Auto ship it....

 

I went to a HiLo store (now O'Reillys) in Houston looking for some 6 volt tail light bulbs. I went through 3 counter boys and the assistant night manager without luck (could not find it on the computer). Finally the manager had stopped in for something. He went in the back and in about 10 minutes produced a dusty box with five bulbs in it. I bought all five.

 

my father owns a NAPA and to be quite honest... he stocks close to a million parts in the two story building... One of the largest NAPA's in Kansas... (2nd, next to mcpherson) and to be trite.. everyone that works there.. there is close to 100 years of experience... with all eight guys! You can ask for anything and they already have the part in hand... Abilene Auto Parts.. you rock!

 

Yeah that happens from time to time. If anyone comes in like you I will try and get them in the door but my old SM wasnt a car guy. So he didnt look for car people, more on the customer service stuff than anything.

One other thing I will never forget is the day the DM told a bunch of us "We are in the customer service business, we just happen to sell auto parts" lol I guess.....

 

Scary thing is that computers are only as smart as the person using it. I could use a FDA sensor at my job.

 

I'm lucky--I've got an old-timer owned store about a mile from my house. Shop dog, greasy hands, counter-stools and a gouged up countertop--etc, etc. When I moved into my new house I saw this place and went in, asked him how much dealing he did with hard to find parts (thinking about my '51)...his reply? "I don't deal much with foreign shit" I knew then that I was home.

Jack

 

HEE!!! You think that's bad, I was working for an FBO/Contract Aircraft Maint. Company and I called our so called "Parts Department"
back @ HQ in CA... Asked for 6 ea. AN8-30 bolts
(1/2"and about 3" long)
parts guy: Uh, yeah... What's it fit???
me:What do you mean, what's it fit??? That's the P/N, do you have them or not???
pg: I need to know what they go on...
me: A frickin airplane, that's what they go on!!! Now go to the hardware bins and look for 6ea AN8-30 bolts...
LONG PAUSE... Foot steps...
You can't always give a part number and expect an intelligent answer.

 

Sounds to me like these parts stores need to modify their generic corporate computer databases to allow for two search options, 1) search by make, model, year, and engine; 2) search by Part Number. I've seen several people on this thread have the part number they wanted, only to get hit with the "make, model, year" question (which I too have experienced many, many times...). Unnecessary question if you already KNOW what the part number is! Problem comes in when one original A/C, FoMoCo, or Mopar part number can be cross-referenced with 10 different "offshore" part numbers.

Third option is to lie about what you need the part for. I needed a 12Si alternator for my '71 Chevelle I used to have. I just told him I had an '85 Caprice with a 350. No problems. Stop being so honest.

 

-Round here...I go to O'Reilly's when I have to have a part NOW... Auto Zone understaffs their stores, and then there will be a line 3-deep, and the counterperson chooses to answer the ringing phone, instead of taking the person next in line. I love to deal locally...but, the "mom and pop's" just don't exist around here...

 

My local NAPA is great, bunch of hard core car guys who are willing to look through their books to find me an oddball part that will fit the weird job that I am trying to cobble up out of multiple maunfacturer parts.Like the H-D powered street dragster with the Toyota pick up trans and rear end and a Chevy geared starter working a Toyota flywheel ring gear.
When they are closed and I need stuff I have to resort to the Autozone. Needed a gasket for a 9" third member so the conversation goes: "Year and model?"
'58 Ford wagon
"Our computer does not go that far back"
OK, try a 69 Mach 1 Mustang with a stick.
" Sorry, still to old"
Me, trying to remember what late model Fords used a 9"--Try a Lincoln Town Car, any year.
"Oh yes we have that in stock"

They don't know any better so you have to lead them by the hand. Now if I go in with a part number from their system and they start the year, make, model crap I am ready to kill somebody.

Roo

 

Give my buddy Jim a try at the Carquest in Bouckville.

 

In Richmond, VA the only answer is Greyline, a family outfit. They can rebuild an old reverse rotation marine starter in 2 days and call your cell to tell you its been tested and ready. They can grab a machined block off the rebuild line and sell it to you as-is. Good folks. Advance built a store 250 feet away. They are pure idiots. No danger to Greyline, with cheaper prices and better service.

 

If this tells you anything.....When all of the Autoworks "chain" stores closed up in Michigan, probably in other states too, guess where all of their managers, district managers and regional managers went to? Managing/running greeting card shops! Straight from the parts biz to the card biz???? It's true, I know one of them. He now is a department manager at ANOTHER BOX store.... Lowes.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

 

I manage a parts store. It's not going to be getting much better with the amount of money we usually are allowed to offer people. It's a shame, really. 10 years ago everyone that worked in a store I was at had some sort of classic or project. Out of the 11 people at my store now, there is me, and my assistant manager. It's just a job to the others.

 

my biggest problem with parts houses is they give me what I ask for, not what I need.

 

I work for Oreillys they pay good we train but most people want a job but dont wont to work. I am 50 years old a old school hotrodder and i try to teach my guys to look in the book or call tech support for what they cant find or just dont know . i also teach them not to bs a custmor if they dont know get someone that knows. my rule is you cant buy parts from someone that aint a car person. or pereformance part if hes not a hotrodder so i take care of the hotrodders dragracers etc cause no one else can and then they learn by example i drive my 30 ford truck to work and park it out front so the locals know i am there .but i specilize in speed eqpt .and the hotrod stuff cause no else does . to work like we do you have to have a passion for the hotrod culture. like i said the pays good but i love what i do and i give a shit our area is eat up with other chain stores that could care less. so i feel like you do i want some one that gives a shit an knows something i work to hard for my money and can go anywhere and get a dumbass counter man and get treated like shit. so i theach my guys to know what both sides of the counter feel like and not to rely on the computer we have had 2 upgrades to our system and they are obselete with a 3rd coming but if i dont have it and i cant get it you dont need it. i refuse to tell a custmor no.

 

Damn, dude- WTF? I know the mgr. at my Napa quite well and today he sold me a $100.00+ battery for what "the Zone" quoted me for their comparable POS battery- $59.00. 8yr. warranty. this place appreciates it's long-time customers... -Betruger-

 

For the record, the AutoZone catalog goes back to 1930. Some of you guys must've been thinking of a different store. Either that, or you got a hardcore idiot working the counter.

 

"If you only pay peanuts, you get monkeys".

What I don't understand, is the phrase B-Mojo and (I hear) others say: "people want a job, but don't want to work".

I think I'm up on economics, and demographics, and psychology, and all else that comes with employment problems, from both employee and employer sides.

I'm not being sarcastic here. What does that really mean? Seriously.

 

Yeah, ours go back to 42...

 

This comment is so true. Lets talk burgers for a second. I assume there are some of us here that like burgers and have had a share of bad service at burger places. I know that I have. Now lets talk In and Out Burgers. Have you ever had a bad experience at an In and Out Burger? I have not and all the times I have been in an In and Out Burger I have not noticed anybody else have a bad experience.

Why? Because In and Out Burgers are paid more and thus take more pride in the work they do. With most people if they are not getting paid what they feel they are worth there are a few things that can happen. They might steal to make what they feel they are worth...they might slack off on the job and give the effort they think they are being paid for and some do both and other things too.

I just saw a you tube video of some wacko screaming about illegials being in the US and how they are stealing all the jobs and this and that. The part that stuck out was when he said "I would not mind working in the fields picking food if I was getting paid what I am worth" that is the problem. low paying jobs = teenagers and immigrants doing the work and you have to have low paying jobs or we will be paying $10 bucks or more per gallon for milk (it already is around $5 bucks a gallon now). What I was getting at is the saying should be people want a job, but don't want to work at the wages being offered".