I hate auto parts chain stores

Lizooki

Lizooki

Samurai Frogger
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Stokes Co. NC
With my work schedule ( rotating nights ) a lot of times I ask my wife to call/look for/go pick up parts etc.
She is the smartest person I know ( really!) but just not a car person so when she goes and they don't have exactly what I'm looking for .....

"This is the same thing"

I've had them tell her this more than once ..... and it never is!
The latest was a spark plug checker tool for recessed plugs.
If you have ever need one you know it's practically impossible to use a regular plug tester on recessed plugs. Amazon to the rescue .... had it by 11 am the next day!

Are the parts store drones wanting the sale that bad ...... or just that dumb?
 
I used to like screwing with the dumbasses whenever I could.

"I need a distributor cap for a small block Chevy."

"Year, make and model?"

".....they're all the same (for first gen).....why does it matter?"

"So I know I've got the right one in stock."

"Ok - 1984 Jeep CJ7."

"Is that the 4.2 or 2.5?"

"Neither, I wanted a distributor cap for a small block C-H-E-V-Y."

"Um. We don't list that as an option."

So then it got to be that every time I needed a SBC part, I would list a different vehicle. One day was an 82 G10 van, another day I had a 71 Camaro, then an 85 El Camino...I got asked a couple times if I owned a bunch of different cars or worked at a shop. "Nah, these all go on my 84 CJ." The expression of complete bewilderment was well worth the headache.
 
You just need to deal with the right people at the parts store.. of course some stores help are completely entirely worthless some times... That's why I like my advance store.. the people makes the parts store - not the parts. Still trying to get the commercial parts pro properly broken in - I'd rather deal with most any one else at my store.. he doesn't think - that's the short version.
 
heh, try finding basic parts for a forklift, options are order part and wait 1-2days then return to customer, or know what you’re working on and cross it to an automotive platform.

Fan belts, i have old belt, it’s one piece and has a part number on it, just very worn.....

me: i need this belt please

them: what’s it on ?

me: you won’t be able to look it up, use the part number on the belt, cross it or measure the belt please

them: i have to look it up in the computer......

me: Combi Lift C6000 3.0L GM 4cyl AWD 3 wheel steer .....

them: blank stare.....

me: i still need the belt....

even more fun when you need parts for a Zamboni....
 
I'm lucky I've got an Oriellys right down the road that's way better than average. Same guys that work up there have seen me pull up in some awkward stuff (XJs on bastard half tons, Magnum v8 YJ, 6.0 TJ buggy, and a 5.3 YJ on SDs), so they're used to it. I might walk in and need parts for 6,7,8 vehicles at one time. They're all gearheads too, so it cuts down tremendously on bs questions lol.
I give them some major shit, but my passenger seat is always open for cool folks.
 
Believe it or not I actually want to retire and go work at oreillys, no kidding. I figure I’ll go insane sitting around, and I could actually offer some good service and help people like us get what they need without asking stupid questions.

I find it extremely aggravating to deal with those guys. Trying to get a brake caliper for my YJ was mind blowing for them a while back. It’s a ford axle with Chevy calipers. I just told them 85 Chevy truck or blazer and they acted like I just told them their dog died, staring me and finally asked “which one sir it can’t be both” and then I explained I have a custom Jeep with a Ford F-250 front axle with Chevy brakes, you just need to look up any late 70s to mid 80s half ton 4x4 Chevy to get it. Dude was glazed over like he was in a trance.
Next question: what’s a “half ton” I don’t see that as an option under Chevrolet, would it be under GMC?
 
Most of them are like that, I order online and pick up now so I don't have to deal with them. There is an Advance/CarQuest by me that is really good though, they don't do stupid stuff like that. They know me there.
"So, what are you working on today?"
"I need a 1996 Dodge Avenger Brake rotor to go on the 1961 Ford F100 axle in my 1956 Pontiac Chieftain."
"I hate when you come in here"
"I know"
"OK, let's go back and see what we can find for you"
 
I can’t remember the last time I was in a parts store...knock on wood. I buy everything online...bulbs, ball joints, gas tanks, radiators, car wash supplies...doesn’t matter. This allows me to avoid their little dance.

E4ACF676-A291-4FE3-985C-A855C3FD1BC4.jpeg
 
You guy s are all doing it wrong.
There is almost no need to ever talk to a chain store clerk for a part if you know what you need.
Virtually all of the major chains now let you order online and pick up in the store, AND most of them then allow using online coupon codes so it's cheaper.
I always look up what I need, order it online, then walk out the door to go pick it up.
I've even sat IN the store and ordered parts, then walked up to the counter to get them.

@Lizooki this would have been the solution for you.
 
UTfball68 said:
I can’t remember the last time I was in a parts store...knock on wood. I buy everything online...bulbs, ball joints, gas tanks, radiators, car wash supplies...doesn’t matter. This allows me to avoid their little dance.

View attachment 296916
Click to expand...
This is my #1 step. Amazon can get almost anything here the next day.
#2 is ordering online from the chain and picking it up locally, IF I need it NOW.
 
RatLabGuy said:
You guy s are all doing it wrong.
There is almost no need to ever talk to a chain store clerk for a part if you know what you need.
Virtually all of the major chains now let you order online and pick up in the store, AND most of them then allow using online coupon codes so it's cheaper.
I always look up what I need, order it online, then walk out the door to go pick it up.
I've even sat IN the store and ordered parts, then walked up to the counter to get them.

@Lizooki this would have been the solution for you.
Click to expand...

Except I have to purchase on PO which adds yet another dimension of idiocy

My own parts I by online, work stuff I have to use local vendors if possible.

I pick my battles when I’m in an area I know the stores.
 
Years ago I lost a tire, left the truck in the ditch, jumped on my motorcycle, hit the parts store,

-I need some 1/2" lug nuts......
* What make?
-It doesn't matter, I just need 9/16" lug nuts!
* I don't know how to look those up without year/make/model....
-Fine..1970 GMC K20!
* What size engine?
-Are you fawking kidding me right now?
 
I stopped in the Advance Auto the other week in South Boston, VA and they had a computer turned around for the customers to look stuff up with. Was great.


I stopped to get wiper blades at Auto Zone. Had the old ones in my hand. Guy asked me what they went on (Fleetwood RV). He was confused by the simplest challenge. While he fumbled his way through the computer I simply took the old one and paired it up with one on the shelf and was good to go.
 
Blkvoodoo said:
Except I have to purchase on PO which adds yet another dimension of idiocy

My own parts I by online, work stuff I have to use local vendors if possible.

I pick my battles when I’m in an area I know the stores.
Click to expand...
Yes, but you can still look it up online yourself, write down the part number, and walk in and say, "Give me part #XYZ."
 
RatLabGuy said:
This is my #1 step. Amazon can get almost anything here the next day.
#2 is ordering online from the chain and picking it up locally, IF I need it NOW.
Click to expand...



I'm telling AOC on you..... she will be SO mad at you supporting that capitalistic Amazon. :)
 
Scooter402 said:
I used to like screwing with the dumbasses whenever I could.

"I need a distributor cap for a small block Chevy."

"Year, make and model?"

".....they're all the same (for first gen).....why does it matter?"

"So I know I've got the right one in stock."

"Ok - 1984 Jeep CJ7."

"Is that the 4.2 or 2.5?"

"Neither, I wanted a distributor cap for a small block C-H-E-V-Y."

"Um. We don't list that as an option."

So then it got to be that every time I needed a SBC part, I would list a different vehicle. One day was an 82 G10 van, another day I had a 71 Camaro, then an 85 El Camino...I got asked a couple times if I owned a bunch of different cars or worked at a shop. "Nah, these all go on my 84 CJ." The expression of complete bewilderment was well worth the headache.
Click to expand...

Me: I need a transfer case seal for an 87 samurai, serpentine belt for a 95 sidekick, and axle ujoints for a 79 grand wagoneer.

Parts guy: lots of projects huh?

Me: no, just one.
 
I worked in a part store through college... Dealing with stupid customers was worse than stupid employees... The lookup questions are bad going into one... it was really bad when the customer had no clue what kind of car they drove.

But being able to browse a catalog to look for the obscure part to fit your offroad rig was great.... to be able to walk over to the shelf and grab something and measure it to see if it would fit. I mostly order online, esp seeing as most of the stores dont have paper catalogs to look through anymore.
 
I used to hate and bash on parts store guys as well until I got a taste when I worked for Cummins.

That's just one engine manufacturer, but Cummins cataloged 4.2 million parts. And it didnt matter who you were you just werent going to remember really, any of them by number.
Guy comes in and says "I got a B and I need a set of valve cover gaskets."...
You got your serial number?
Nah just need a damn VC gasket set for a Mechanical B.
Dude...I am looking at a screen. I cant even go to the next screen without inputting a serial number. But let me try and help. Greg sold a wood chipper with a B in it two weeks ago, let me dig that work order up and pull that serial number. Ok now I am in and here is a VC gasket set. Lets go pull those.
Here ya go
"No this wont fawking work. Mine dont have no holes they are held in by o rings and press fit."
But sir you said any mechanical B would work, thats for a mechanical B. If you can get me a serial number I can dig up exactly what you need.


Here is the truth...we all know more about our particular project than anyone at the parts store. Heck we may know more about everything than them. But if you arent willing to take their job for their pay, then embrace them and help them help you.
Tell them what they need to know to get you what you want. Dont trick the $10/hr guy and think you accomplished something. Just be a human being and help him do his job.

Here is what the computer programmers know that many here dont get.

In 1978 Volvo used a different alternator on A/C cars and on A/C cars. This alternator used a wider pulley and necessitated a wider water pup pulley and belt. So we get it you just need a P/S pump...but we need to know if you have A/C to select the right P/S pump. When we code that in it will ask that question for every year of every car. Multiply this made up example by every auto makers every quirk....and you have what we have today.

Use rock auto, find what you need. right down the part number, walk into advance and ahnd them the part number and say I need 1 of these. They can do it. When they ask what vehicle say "I dont know, I mentioned I was coming up here to get some beef jerky and the boss asked me to pick this up for him."...sure you dont look like king ding a ling expert to the parts kid...but you get what you need and get on your way.

That guy you are giving shit to has zero ability to alter the corporate policy and process of a billion dollar company. Its like the bitch I just watch degrade a waitress because this restaurant carries pepsi and not coke. Like this high school girl had any say in the contract negotiations...

'Here comes that Rainbow again'
 
And Pepsi is better than coke anyway.
 
Ron's right. I did the advance Auto thing in college. The computer asks the question so they have to ask you to get to the next page usually, even if they don't it's usually better to ask because half the time the customer has no idea what year car they even own, but you can be damn sure if the parts wrong they'll be back bitching YOU sold them the wrong part.

Fwiw I look up my own parts then shop around online to see if I can get it local anywhere, then I go in and hand them a post it note with the number. The only issue I have with that is the local AutoZone who still demands a year, make and model and tries to look it up themselves. Of course I've now vowed to never darken the door of an AutoZone again since my power tour experience, that's a whole nother story, so that should never be an issue again.
 
Usually they loooove when I walk in with a part number. They look up location and inventory status, grab it, and ring it up. Easy sale. I don't think anyone has ever asked what vehicle I have if I have a part number.

Last year I went to buy brake parts that fit a 97 Kia Sephia. They asked what car it was for, and I got to say "boat trailer".
 
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