Losing faith in local parts store

For those of you who have worked at the big chain parts stores. How much of the dumbing down has to do with liability? Sure, most of the guys on this board know how a car works and exactly what we need, but that's a very small percentage of the populace.

Could they be sticklers about make/model/year so somebody doesn't come in, ask for a certain part, install it on their car and the sue when it breaks the car (or worse)? In today's world, I could definitely see some kid asking for the turbo off an ecoboost truck to install in his Civic cause a buddy told him it'll "make mad power, yo!". When he blows up said Civic and daddy is looking to pay for his kids mistake (because, of course, the KID shouldn't be blamed), he'd come straight after the parts shop.

BTW, thinking through a scenario like this makes me sad......

-Rob

logdog wrote: Sounds like the key to success is to have a brick and morter parts store staffed with highly skilled employees* selling inventory for under rockauto/internet prices. *bonus points if employees will install parts for free in the parking lot or can diagnose any issue over the phone with incomplete information.

Hey, that sounds like where I work!

Esoteric Nixon wrote: OP, you sound like what I car a Saturday guy. Without fail, every Saturday I get guys coming in looking for stuff that, while once common, aren't exactly in high demand anymore. Take for instance this one gentleman who came in looking for a starter for his '51 Flathead-equipped Ford. He looked exhausted, having already been to the other parts stores with no luck. After a bit of sleuthing using our extensive collection of paper catalogs (NAPA,) we finally found the part number. Guess what? It was obsolete. NLA. The guy then proclaims his utter confusion. "It was used in all sorts of applications!" Well, yeah, fifty years ago, buddy. Even stuff for cars that were once commonplace are getting a little tougher to find. Also, don't be "that guy" who just comes in like a stale-cigarette smelling wrecking ball and throws the part on the counter. I feel I know a bit about cars, but if you set freeze plugs on the counter without any context, I am not exactly going to know right away what it is. And if you get sassy with my lack of Rain Man skills, I am less inclined to go that extra mile or give you a break on price.

Guy didn't know what a frost plug was. period. Even after I told him. He said "I've never heard of such a thing"

Also did the typical, what make/model/color thing. Well, this engine isn't in your computer. I still like the NAPA by me, but they close too darn early.

In reply to Grtechguy:

That's just sad.

When you set your expectation low enough and you find a competent person behind the parts counter, it feels good.

I have to give my local Advance a plug. I purchased a K&N oil filter that turned out to be packaged wrong. They gave me a discount On another brand an a refund. When I left they were pulling all of the K&Ns off the shelf.

I never had a problem with my NAPA.

I want my part now, not three days from now.

In reply to Grtechguy:

That's why when in doubt I used either the 24hr AZ on 28th St or the Napa distribution warehouse on Patterson.

I order all my stuff from Advance online, throw in a discount code, then pick it up at the store 2 miles away (which is also a warehouse). Done and done.

My Dad was one of the old guys at AutoZone that everyone lined up to speak with. No waiting for the other two sales people, a line in front of my Dad. He just chuckled and tried to teach the new guys, but there are some things that only decades in the business can teach. Dad also didn't care for the management B.S. and had no problem speaking his mind. More than once he got yelled at for having overtime, so he started clocking out no matter what was going on. Sometimes he'd be the only employee in the whole store when the next shift didn't show up. He'd clock out and leave the place unlocked and empty. Eventually they realized he was the most dependable employee in the whole place and started giving him slack on the overtime. Don't threaten a 67 year old man who can retire at any second, he doesn't need your crap.

slefain wrote: My Dad was one of the old guys at AutoZone that everyone lined up to speak with.

This. So much this.

If I was in middle management at any of these chains, I would be actively recruiting the older mechanics at the shops that my chain delivered to.

Maybe their body is getting too old to be wrenching 40 hours a week, but they're not quite ready to retire. Maybe they're ready to retire, but they fear getting bored, or having altogether too much time with the wife.

"Hey, come work for me. I'll give you as many or as few hours as you'd like. Sure, I can't pay you what you're making now, but it's much less hard on your body, and it will put a few bucks in your pocket until you're totally ready to quit working."

Ranger50 wrote: Even online, certain parts are impossible to find. Try finding bulk 3/4" heater hose.

First hit on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Gates-28492-Inch-Polybag-Heater/dp/B000C2SCDS/

Our local advanced used to be really good, but they replaced the car guys with cheap labor. When the oriellys first opened a good friend of mine worked there and knew what he was doing so i went there. Corperate politics drove him away so now the only place with any knowledge is Napa. I just order my parts through the corporate account at work and let my boss deal with it.

I actually start working at orielleys next weekend. Make a little extra money to get out of debt, and I miss the parts buisness. If the pay had been better, I would have taken the commercial manager position they offered me last year.

The hiring manager has called me on multiple occasions because someone brought in something that no one had any clue about. While I was running the shop, the unofficial motto was "I specialize in what the berkeley is THAT! ?"

Im excited. I unfortunately have been out of the parts game since they brought in the computer. Gonna have a hard time learning that. But this store still has a full parts catalog in paper. Ive taught half the guys there how to use them. as a customer.

I had a small panic attack when the nearby Carquest turned into an Advance overnight. I was greatly relieved that The One Guy Who Knows Stuff was still there. Honestly, I don't depend on the place, but it's just such a relief to see someone who can discuss what part might be in order based on dimensions or specifications rather than just year/make/model...