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

This thread is pretty entertaining for me, I've been a parts guy for most of the last 25 years. Started working part-time after school at Canadian Tire, then full-time. It was funny to have people question me when I walked to the shelf in the stockroom to grab them common parts like rocker cover gaskets, brake pads, etc., without looking them up on the microfiche reader. Can't say that I blame them, I was 15, short, had glasses, pretty geeky looking ... how would I know anything?

Anyway, as a Ford dealership parts guy for the last 17+ years, I've got to hear a lot of strange and difficult requests. The people who are absolutely ingidnant about not being able to buy a part for their 25+ year old vehicle make me chuckle sometimes, but I can certainly see their side of the story. Usually what they're after is a mechanical part that can be found from the aftermarket easily enough, the OEs have no interest in supporting it any more ... they just want you to buy a whole new vehicle instead!


cheers
Ed N.

 

(removed)

 

Bingo! We're here (so we're on the internet) and so their sites should be (and are) childsplay. I use O'Reilly, Autozone and NAPA and their websites have all the info that I need to fix the cars I have.

Sometimes, you need something odd and then you go the place that has the best counterpeople. Usually, that person just lets you walk through the parts rack (belts and mufflers come to mind).

I don't have any complaints about the counterfolk anymore, there's just no way ANYBODY can know what they stock. Though it would be helpful if they could direct me around the sales floor a little better

 

My favorite story....
So I stop by the local Advance Auto (knowing better... wasn't my first issue at this store, but it'll be my last) to see if they have a fuel pump rebuild kit for a '65 Mustang. OK, at this point I expect to get "Is that electric?" .... but nope.... the kid asks "Who makes the Mustang?"
What?

I have a friend who manages the one across town, and the guys there are pretty helpful. This one, not so much.

Prior to this the manager at this store, when I tried to exchange my junk $85 platinum series battery, told me "It's not supposed to hold a charge for more than a day, because it's made of platinum"
He was serious as can be....
I don't go there anymore.
Kamp

 

Thats why I am glad I grew up in a small redneck town in Texas. First thing I learned, "MEchanic will screw you." Not only did our school offer auto mechanics, we also had the option of auto body. I took all the car classes I could get. It pays to live in a small town.

 

thats why back in the 60's and 50's and even the early 70's we were our own mechanics..hence the MEchanic..meaning ME did the tune up..Me changed the shocks..ME changed the points etc..

 

Why'd you have to mention In-N-Out? Sigh. I could go for a double double right now...

 

mmmm burgers

 

I've been to In-N-Out...You want some good eatin'? Try Whataburger.

 

how bout Hot N Now? havent seen them in a while

 

It just ain't the same. P. Terry's is close, but still not there. But we're getting OT. Back to blasting counter people. The guy at O'reilleys here lets me dig around in the back. As long as I don't make a mess it's cool.

 

this thread is getting borring..hahaha now its off on Burgers and its nearing diner time..mmm doughnuts

 

Ive been dealing with the same parts guys at car quest ,,all the way back to when i was a kid with no money and a car i wanted to look cool and go fast. they know their stuff..and sometimes they even ask me for my opinion. it was an old mom and pop joint but the son who took over felt he needed to compete in todays economy and bought into the carquest line. They can get anything i need..and its because of his old roots not anything to do with carquest or who is sponsoring them..I have the ability and privlage to look thru all his suff and pick out what ever i need to modify or make work for any of my projects. Definetly helps to have people in the buisness you can trust and that trust you. I will miss this little shop if he ever decides to throw in the towel or retire.

 

Guys...I wasn't looking for "old stuff", what got my rant going was a clutch kit for an 88 Honda..You guys that are slugging it out in those stores trying to do the right thing and make a living at it, Right On and God Speed, we need more like ya...

 

The problem is all these cheepo parts stores. They just won't pay an experienced person enough to actually live on. So, they hire the fucking kids with no experience that live at home. In the 70's, there were real talented people behind the counter. I mean you could pick their brain to fix your car as well as getting the right parts. I remember as a kid, this guy Mel at L&M Auto Parts. Good dude. Knew his shit. Everytime i was stumped, he'd go for a ride and diagnose my junk, and sell me just the parts needed for the job. THANKS Mel

 

i worked counter duty for a few years at an old time auto parts store that was also a stocking warehouse. in all the time i worked there i dont think i ever took home a full pay check,cause i always had parts to pay for. i buy at auto zone most of the time now , i like the low prices and the life time replacement on most of their stuff. if you know what you need they can still get the older parts .but i tell you what i realy miss about the old stores is the Dorman cabinets filled with every manner of nut ,bolt and washer,wheel studs freeze plugs, grommets etc.and i miss the good old Weatherhead cabinet brimming with all forms of brass fittings. right out front for me to search and ponder what i could find to make a project work.i also miss the counter people that actually gave a damn about what you were building and were willing to check out the parts interchange specs in the back of the catalogs ! YES ! i sure miss "The Good Old Days"

 

I pay a bit more for my parts just to keep my version of what you describe in business. The place i go has all that you describe. I'd rather pay more than deal with numbnuts at he "other" place. If "my guy" hits the bricks (hope not), then i'll really consider retiring. Between my parts guy, and my long time, know-all machinist, i couldn't do this without them

 

Serious decline in EVERY business and industry for quality knowlegable
employees

 

I have put multiple apps in, at both places. Always been nice to the people, I am in a LOT and sometimes don't know what will work other than what it came off of, but I always have the info they ask for and I tend to get the majority of my parts. Then again, I haven't needed anything "odd". Either way, I have yet to be called back, never once.

 

Im a parts counter manager at an Autozone, I make $9.69 an hour. I got a $.19 raise last year.... that was the highest in the store. I do most all my own work, and have ALOT of customers that come to me for help with parts. We have another younger guy that is really good with parts too. But as has been stated before, do you really expect most people who are into cars enough to do the job right to work for less than $15+ an hour? It sucks bad when they would rather hire someone who has "retail" experience and no clue how to even change their own oil than pay a few more dollars for the guy\girl that knows their shit. The best thing ANYONE could ever do, instead of posting a rant about how dumb the underpaid guy behind the counter is, would be to send a phone call or email or letter to the corporate office asking them why they insist on hiring people who dont know jack about cars? Ask those corporate office people why they wont shell out another couple bucks an hour to get people who know their stuff? Maybe because those people that know how to make it work would end up selling someone a $2 part instead of a $50 part? or maybe they would just tell them a way to fix it free.... even less money for the company...... I'm dumb for staying for the peanuts their giving this monkey but its work and its close to home........

 

This is nothing new...... this "decline" has been going on for years......

 

I gotta give credit to the guy at my NAPA
There were some older guys and I was waiting my turn.
There was one yo9ung guy, about 20. When it was my turn I got him. Oh crap, I thought, he's never even heard of an Edsel.
I told him what I needed and guess what?- He's an Edsel geek. Him and his dad each have them and he just got back from th 50th anniversary party in Dearborn.
I told him what I thought before he helped me, and I happily ate crow.

 

ok they want a job and want to get paid but do not want to do anything like help a custmor or ..... damn you made me sayit do a little leg work go to the books and use their brain to try and help someone out or even better theirself with training to helpthem be more knowledgeableto be able to do more than look at a puter and say no cant get it or our puteronly goes back to 67or have the knowledge to comprehind what is needed for a new vehicle it hurts us all on both sides and i guess bothers me more cause i give a shit and love what i do .

 

SALT LAKE AREA HAMBER'S, COME AND SEE ME AT THE CHECKER AUTO @ 4401 S. STATE TO FIND A PARTS GUY WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT OLD CARS!! ASK FOR PATRICK <!-- / sig -->
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We're lucky in SLC. Patrick goes out of his way to help out us hambers. I'll drive a few extra miles to his store to get real help. Even when he's not there, the rest of the guys in the store are pretty good too.

Thanks Patrick!

Tom

 

Thanks for the kind words Tom! I have been fortunet to work with some great "parts guys" through out my career. I really miss the old Corbett-Middlen (speed shop) days! Thanks again Chad

 

Shit man theres a serious decline in AMERICA today..every where and in every walk of life and buisness..just see what our government allows into this country and there is the start of all these problems..friggen lead based painted toys, chicken shit eating fish. can you say contamination?. cheap rap that breaks the next day..auto parts that dont fit their applications, very low if non existant Q.C. and our government is allowing and selling us down the river..and we are all allowing it because were not all standing up and saying f.ing knock it off! Vote but be careful who you vote for! and if there is no one to vote for thats who we should vote for..No one!..let us get the point across were sick of this crap. ok rant over..For Now!

 

Yeah, Chad the Corbett-Middlen days were yesterday, weren't they? We still have it good in town today.

 

Damn. There's a lot of bitching and whining on this thread. But here's what has me pissed enough to post on this thread. A lot of guys are saying that they patronize the big, dumb chain stores for oil and easy to find parts. But they have a good old time Mom & Pop place that helps them when they need hard parts. What's wrong with some of you? Let the good old time stores make a few cents on your oil and other easy to get purchases. It helps them stay in business. What ever you might save by buying wax, oil, sparkplugs and other stuff like that at Auto Ozone or O' Really? Auto parts doesn't amount to a six pack of cheap PBR beer on the ticket. Let the small shop stay in business by supporting them. In the Long Beach area he have Hap's Auto Parts. There's a guy named Ernie there who knows what he's doing. Kind of grouchy, but a real old school parts guy. And I don't have to wait to talk to him. I ask any guy on the counter for what I need and if they don't know they go ask Ernie. That's called on the job training. The next time that guy is asked that question he doesn't have to ask Ernie. 'Cause Ernie already told him and he remembers. My point here is that I buy all my shit at Hap's. That way they can keep their doors open. The good people NEED our support. Same with shops that fix things. I always take my old cars to Miller's Alignment in Long Beach. They know what they're doing. But, even if it costs a little more to use them for my wife's late model, I take it to Miller's. Because I want them to stay in business. When you get stuck dealing with dumb, unmotivated bozos because there are no more small shops who care, remember the $1.00 you saved at Auto Ozone. Take a long look at that buck in your hand as you wait for the kid at the big chain store to ask what kind of car your engine is in, if it has AC, power brakes, stuff like that. After he takes a half hour to get that info before he can hand you a fanbelt, realize it cost you a bunch of time. And that dollar doesn't seem like much of a savings, does it?

All I want to say is: Support good small businesses. Walmart, Lowes and the big chain parts stores will survive anyway. But the good people who make working on a hot rod less of a pain in the ass need your money to stay open. Think about it, OK?

Phil

 

You get what you pay for. Sorry to dredge up an older thread, but things are slow at work at the moment.

Although there are a lot of members on the HAMB, I bet we make up a tiny fraction of the people that shop at auto parts stores. I worked at Autozone while i was going to college (and living at home) and most of the people that came in there could easily be helped by using the year/make/model routine. When I came across somebody with a hod rod, boat, tractor, or whatever, I'd go through the paper catalogs as much as I could to help them. Oddly enough, despite being car guys/hot rodders/whatever, often times these guys were the rudest customers of all.

Basically, the thinking of the upper management of these stores is probably something like this: If we create a computer database that parts can be looked up on by somebody with little experience, we won't have to pay them as much. That is exactly what you have. Unfortunately, it creates problems for people like us with modified cars, but for a good percentage of the people out there the system works. Besides, one thing I learned by working at that parts store - NOBODY knows everything.