I definitely understand your frustration, but thank the customer. When stores had the books hanging there on the shelf by a chain, people would be rough with and tear it up, or were too stupid to figure out how to use it (not sure how they managed to change the oil). When they went to the little screen, same thing happened, and they just plain sucked.
I could make a list of filters, but part numbers vary by brand, brands (and inventory) vary by store, and I've got several vehicles, so it would be a long list. If I just carried one P/N around for each, I'd still have to ask for the counter guy(/girl) to cross reference to their inventory, so I have no problem asking what their system lists. Yes, I would rather have the book sitting there on the shelf, but asking isn't really a big deal. In my case it's usually the newbie manning the counter, so it gives them practice navigating their computer systems. They're being paid to do something anyway.
My issue is when the person running the register then tries to go grab it off the shelf for me. No, give me the part numbers and I'll go get it myself along with the other items I'm grabbing for the day.
As for the carrington event, EMP, or what ever other causes you can think of for computers not working... Most stores still have a paper catalog somewhere in the store. The employees might not know how to use it, but its there somewhere. Of course looking up the parts is hardly going to mater when they won't be able to make financial transactions. Considering that such an event would also take out 75% or better of the vehicles on the road today, none of it really matters anyway.
