I just had to share...

I was looking for connecting rod bolts for a project car and I decided to check with a Chevy dealer to see if stock bolts were cheaper than ARP. The phone conversation with the "Dealer Parts Guy" went something like this:

SOFAKING: I need connecting rod bolts for a 2000 Camaro.

Dealer Parts Guy: What engine?

SOFAKING: LS1

Dealer Parts Guy: Huh?

SOFAKING: It's an LS1!

Dealer Parts Guy: That doesn't mean anything to me!

SOFAKING: Huh?

Dealer Parts Guy: I don't know what that is!

SOFAKING: You're kidding right?

Dealer Parts Guy: I have a listing for a 3.8 and a 5.7!

SOFAKING (shaking my head): It's a 5.7. ... This is a Chevy Dealer right?

This is obviously at least a Level 2 Parts Guy. I can tell because he didn't ask if the car had air conditioning.

And that is why CompNine was so nice.....

I dare you to call a Mazda dealer and ask for parts for a B6-ZE. Or call a Honda dealer and ask for parts for a K24A2. Not everyone uses the car nerd codes, even the dealer.

You don't have to make it difficult, just answer the poor guy's question and say V8 instead of showing how much smarter you are.

In reply to Keith:

But that is the thing, GM's catalog tells you the RPO code!!! The parts guy is a dense mouthbreather.

In reply to Keith:

Usually I would agree with you Keith, but I know for a fact that GM uses the RPO code for everything (and that is where LS1 came from) and his screen likely said: "LS1 - 5.7L V8" as the option. Every single part is known by it's code at GM.

Never been behind the wheel of a GM computer although I do know what an RPO code is. Still, it's easy enough to answer the question. I never use RPO codes or any other sort of codes when I'm ordering parts. If I want to get the right stuff, I make it as easy as possible for the guy on the other end to get me the right stuff.

In reply to Keith:

I don't think you understand Keith. When I go to the GM dealer for parts and say "Grand Prix V6" the parts guys SAYS "what RPO"? If I tell him 3.8L N/A, he'll look at me like I'm a dumbass, tell me that doesn't do him any good, and repeat "what RPO code?".

Stealthtercel wrote: This is obviously at least a Level 2 Parts Guy. I can tell because he didn't ask if the car had air conditioning.

"So is the top of the windshield tinted or not?"

Sorry Keith, gotta disagree with you. You have no business in a GM dealership not knowing what an LS1 is. Unless maybe your the porter or the receptionist. Certainly, in the service part of the business, you should know that much.

I was a parts guy BEFORE microfilm. Everlything was books. I also have socks older than most of you.

Try to make a friend at every place you buy parts - a friend will work the system to find an answer. The guy you just pissed off will shine you on.

Having said that, there is always a guy that is just clueless. Hi, Charles was tryling to cross a number for a (mustang something - I have to say that because because) Parts guy says: can't help you without a car make and year. At this point I know he can't or won't help me. OK, 91 MIata. Fine what do you need. Its got a 302 ford and i need . . . . . . Well I can't help you with that!
Charles would help me.

Now, try to get parts for a '73 Pantera . . . .

Anyway, try to make a friend. We all know that a GRM wanker knows the secret codes THAT DON'T HELP ANYONE!

As a parts guy you should know the common names of the engine your service. I don't think that's too much to ask, it's your job to be knowledgable of your products. I don't think the consumer should be asked to dumb questions down.

I had a guy on the phone yesterday who wanted to know what would be involved in putting a BP2 in his Miata. What the hell's a BP2? I mean, that sounds like a Mazda 1.8 engine code, but I don't know the details of it. I'm pretty familiar with Mazdas.

As soon as he told me it was the engine from a Familia GT-R, I was able to give him just the sort of info he needed. Sure, I know the engine and the original application. Just not the secret code, which is actually a different secret code than is usually used for that engine. Did he go on his secret club society page and mock the Mazda "expert" who didn't know what a BP2 was? Maybe. I couldn't care less. But because he gave me the information I needed so I could identify what he was talking about, he got the information he needed to do what he needed to do.

When I go to my local GM dealer, I give the year, model and engine. It's never been a problem getting parts even without an RPO. Nobody considers anyone else a dumbass, I get the parts I need, it all works. I don't play the game of "I need a set of plug wires for an MGB...oh, and it has a V8", because that's just being a dick for no reason.

Sure, LS1 is a pretty well-known engine code. And maybe the parts guy didn't realize that the RPO was displayed on his screen for some reason. But if you keep yelling "LS1! What's wrong with you, idiot???" instead of saying "oh, sorry, the 5.7 V8" then what's the benefit?

The parts guy should have said "do you have the last eight of the VIN?"

I just ordered a divertor valve (smog valve) for my LS1 swapped 944 from the dealer.

Me: I need the smog valve for a 2002 Camaro V8

Parts guy: It's $47 and I'll have it for you in 3 days

Me: Cool, thanks!

I agree with Keith. Don't make it difficult and throw around a bunch of lingo. I could've said I needed an LS1 part for my Porsche swapped car, but why bother?

Also agreed, having worked at a non-dealer parts store. I'm a foreign car guy. I can tell you every engine code for Volvos, plus some Hondas, Nissans and Mazdas. But couldn't tell you off the top of my head the difference between a 5MGTE and 7MGTE Toyota engine, or any specific differences between any of the LS GM V8s.

It's Wheaton's Law: Don't Be A Dick.

I agree with Keith.

rallymodeller wrote: Also agreed, having worked at a non-dealer parts store. I'm a foreign car guy. I can tell you every engine code for Volvos, plus some Hondas, Nissans and Mazdas. But couldn't tell you off the top of my head the difference between a 5MGTE and 7MGTE Toyota engine, or any specific differences between any of the LS GM V8s. It's Wheaton's Law: Don't Be A Dick.

i want to agree with keith. i do agree with keith, in principle. but a gm counterperson who doesn't know what an LS1 is, that inexcusable.

belteshazzar wrote: i want to agree with keith. i do agree with keith, in principle. but a gm counterperson who doesn't know what an LS1 is, that inexcusable.

My wife knows what an LS1 is and she refers to 80% of the stuff under the hood as a "thingy"

It sounds like the OP was just confused when the parts guy told him that he didn't understand what he was saying. He probably wasn't actually being a dick.

Now that being said, I'm going to agree with the the guys on the RPO codes. When it is your job to know the RPO codes and don't know or can't see what the computer screen says, then you have no business being answering the phones let alone trying to help someone find a part at a GM dealer.

I just asked my wife "do you know what an LS1 is". She said, " is it a type of ship?"

I lolled then told her it was a GM motor. We both then laughed. It was kinda fun.

Then she looked at me wondering why I even asked her. I didn't tell her why.

I'm not sure who's side that supports, but it was good for a laugh with my wife. ( with, not at )

EricM wrote: I just asked my wife "do you know what an LS1 is". She said, " is it a type of ship?"

change the 1 to a T and you'd have thought her pretty darn smart

My recent favorite in part ordering is tire rack/discount/etc's system of not being able to browse and order wheels by bolt pattern and offset.
Have to go by application.
They don't have anything listed for a 75 datsun 280z, though they sell universal 4 lug wheels which fit both 4x100 and 4x114.3 with rwd type offsets.
Why can't they add my car to the system so I can order some cheap enkeis?!? lol

corytate wrote: My recent favorite in part ordering is tire rack/discount/etc's system of not being able to browse and order wheels by bolt pattern and offset. Have to go by application. They don't have anything listed for a 75 datsun 280z, though they sell universal 4 lug wheels which fit both 4x100 and 4x114.3 with rwd type offsets. Why can't they add my car to the system so I can order some cheap enkeis?!? lol

I kind of give TR a break on that because they honestly just want to make sure what you are ordering will fit on your car. If you call and talk to someone there is a very good chance they will actually know what they are doing and be able to help you.