Technical Can I Get A Witness

Several years ago for a project I needed some Olds Alero rear brake calipers. I was in a hurry and didn’t look up the part numbers figuring they could do that at the store. Went to parts store and asked about them. Of course was asked what year and I said it doesn’t matter, asked what engine I said it doesn’t matter. Finally I said the calipers are nor for an Alero but a project car. The guy looked at me and said what kind of car and what year. I again told him it didn’t matter. Finally the guy looked at me and said “if the car your working on is not here in this computer the parts are not going to fit or work” I told him never mind I’ll go home and come back with the actual part numbers and he shrugged his shoulders like I must be the stupidest guy in the world.

 

Don't be so hard on the parts guys. Remember we are from a parallel universe where pictures are black and white and antifreeze is green.

 

A few weeks ago I was helping a cousin get his son in law's car back on the road. We go to the nearest parts store, get a counter guy & he asks us what are you working on ? We answer, a 55 Chevy with a 350. He punches that into the devil box & replies " they never made one". OK how about a 69 Camaro with a 350 ? " YUP WE HAVE THAT." We got some Chevy parts & headed back to the garage.

 

THIS is a hill I am well prepared to die on.

Dude, when it comes to brake calipers there are a myriad of differences depending on anti-lock brakes, whether or not there's a towing package, whether or not it's a fleet vehicle with heavy duty brakes, etc.

Do you understand that from a partsman's standpoint, what you were asking with vague information was damned near impossible without ******* you off and making it so you had to make umpteen trips to and from the parts store?

You being in "a hurry" and not getting all the info DOES NOT cons***ute an emergency or any liability on my part.

So... when I read your post, I was reminded of a transaction I had a long time ago.

I had a customer just like that once. He used to come in and give us vague info then got pissed when we couldn't help him. Remember, this was before the "computer inventory and invoicing" thing, so the questions I was asking were coming straight from a parts catalog.

He came in one day and wanted a trans filter and gasket kit for a (I'll never forget this) '89 Chevy K20. Now, the "K" in 20 that year designates four wheel drive. And the "20" is 3/4 ton.

Well, you have a choice of transmissions for that particular truck. I asked him what trans he had and he said "It doesn't matter, they're ALL THE SAME, dammit!" like he ALWAYS did.

Well... just for reference, there is a HUGE difference between filters and pan gaskets for say a 700-R4 and a TH350.

I had had enough of this jack*** because EVERY ******* TIME he came into the store it was just one issue after another coming from his end.

I closed my catalog, went to the isle where we kept our trans filters, didn't even look at the number, and grabbed the first one I saw. I have no idea what it fit. Took it up front, slapped it on the counter, and rung him up.

Two hours later, this dude shows back up dirty, greasy, and covered in ATF, madder than hell. He started cussing as he walked through the door.

From halfway across the sales floor he threw this greasy pan gasket and filter on the counter and demanded a refund.

I told him "I dunno what happened. They're all the same, right?". I was 20-something and full of piss and vinegar. So, I followed it up with something to the effect of "look, I don't come to where you work and knock the sailors ****s out of your mouth, so don't tell me how to do my damned job!".

From that point on, he had ALL his info ready BEFORE he came to the store. We actually became good friends after that. Some people just need a good, old fashioned object lesson.

What I'm reading here is that there is a ALWAYS lack of info going across the counter to the partsman, yet you guys all feel like the counter guy should know what you're thinking. We never have nor ever will have a damned crystal ball.

I never wore the Zoltar turban behind the counter, so I don't know why people thought I was a mind reader or something. .

Be kind to these folks because they deal with WAY more idiots ALL DAY LONG than you can imagine. And don't think for one second they won't remember you and give you the service you "deserve" the next time you come in.

Things got worse when I went to work at the dealership. Try dealing with car salesmen, the general public, AND problematic, service writers. Jeesh!

I couldn't be a counterman today. I'd tell you all to go to hell.

 

When I was growing up, 75% of autos on the road around here were from the Big 3, a smattering of foreign cars. But there were Foreign Auto Parts places as well.
Much easier back then for your Napa/etc, for the counter person to know by experience what part would fit.
Not the case now.

 

Sounds like @anthony myrick and I have the same sort of parts stores, they have called me looking for parts, if they are busy I go in the back and help myself and leave a list. They like the challenge of looking for obscure stuff for me.

They are like extended family.

 

Slow day, I guess. No other rod and custom topics to cover.

This has been beaten to death. Modern auto parts stores are not the problem.