Auto Parts Stores

[Eddo Rogue]

I disagree with you on this. First it's the computer asking the questions, when you look up a part the computer asks you to select those options before moving on. So yea it probably doesn't matter but if im working the counter why not just answer it correctly instead of guessing? First of all I don't care who you are it's impossible to know every car so detailed that you know 100% for sure a certain trim level won't mean the part being asked for is different. Second customers would often start with something like a U-joint where that info is useless, but then ask for more parts after the fact where that info now is valid, so I'd have to back out of the screen and start the lookup over because I was too lazy to just ask if it was an XLT in the first place.

If you don't like being asked questions and think the counter person is a moron look up the part yourself before coming into the store...

+1, its usually the computer thats a moron. My parts guys are cool enough to tilt the screen and let me watch along. The computer asks stupid questions and will not offer some important ones. Best way usually is to just look up the VIN if/when possible.

 

[Dirtman]

I had a guy buy a U-joint for a early 90s F150. There were about 20 options on that truck that made a difference in the part number so I start rambling off questions. (2wd or 4wd, front or rear shaft, extended cab or regular cab, short bed or long, engine size, manual or auto etc etc). The guy was getting furious at me for asking questions and flipped out. He said "just give me a ****ing u-joint". So I picked the first one off the screen and handed it to him. He left in a huff calling me a moron. He came back later and threw that u-joint through the store window cause it didn't fit...

But I was the moron for asking questions to try and get him the right part.

 

[racsan]

I have looked up what I needed before, from that stores web page, printed it off and highlighted part #’s. Does save some time. I just hand it over & say “these”.

 

[Dirtman]

I have looked up what I needed before, from that stores web page, printed it off and highlighted part #’s. Does save some time. I just hand it over & say “these”.

I loved customers like that. Except when the website would say our store had the parts but it really didn't and then the argument over "THE WEBSITE SAYS THE PART IS HERE!" Would start. Like I'm purposely hiding the parts from people?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I had a guy buy a U-joint for a early 90s F150. There were about 20 options on that truck that made a difference in the part number so I start rambling off questions. (2wd or 4wd, front or rear shaft, extended cab or regular cab, short bed or long, engine size, manual or auto etc etc). The guy was getting furious at me for asking questions and flipped out. He said "just give me a ****ing u-joint". So I picked the first one off the screen and handed it to him. He left in a huff calling me a moron. He came back later and threw that u-joint through the store window cause it didn't fit...

But I was the moron for asking questions to try and get him the right part.

Reasons I will never move to Jersey for $800, Alex.

 

[cbxer55]

thats why NAPA is really a acronym:
Need
Another
Part
A$$hole
lol. (but that is a good joke). actually ive had less issues with napa then other parts places, autozone is the worst in my book.

I go to NAPA before I go anywhere else. Mostly because it's the closest. But yeah, never had to return anything I bought there. Next would be Slo'Reilly's. Then Advance Auto. Lastly, Vato Zone.

 

[sgtsandman]

Even with all the questions, the computer can get it wrong. When replacing the u-joints on the ‘98, the wrong parts were listed. After two trips, I had to bring the old u-joint in to match up with what they had. It wasn’t the counter person’s fault the computer was wrong.

 

[Curious Hound]

When possible, I will look the part up on the stores website and order and pay for it. Then walk into the store with my receipt and say "I'm here to pick this up."

Still not 100% foolproof. But helps a lot.

 

[sheep herder]

Like I'm purposely hiding the parts from people?

Sounds like something you'd do.

 

[Dirtman]

Sounds like something you'd do.

Only if they were parts I intended on buying after my shift and knew it would take forever to re-order them. I barely made over minimum wage, first dibs on parts was the only perk of the job.


That and when the core batteries never got picked up the manager would let us take them to the scrap yard to cash them in.

 

[MikeG]

Every time I change plugs in my car, AZ gives the wrong ones. Every time!!!!

I have taken to bringing one of the old ones in (drove truck of course) to save time.

Oh and when you ask for a gasket for a 8.8 rear end or a 9 inch, well, back in the day that was all you have to do. Now they want to know what the paint color is on your toenails.......

The world is getting dumber, not smarter, with computers.

 

[Dirtman]

Every time I change plugs in my car, AZ gives the wrong ones. Every time!!!!

I have taken to bringing one of the old ones in (drove truck of course) to save time.

Oh and when you ask for a gasket for a 8.8 rear end or a 9 inch, well, back in the day that was all you have to do. Now they want to know what the paint color is on your toenails.......

The world is getting dumber, not smarter, with computers.

Whats the part number for a felpro 8.8 differential cover gasket?

If you know it, why bother asking the guy at the parts store? If you don't, then why would you expect them to know without looking it up?

 

[MikeG]

Back in the day, they'd walk in the back, KNEW where everything was, and bring you your part. Now when you go to the grocery store and ask where the green beans are, they have to look it up on their phone app. Like I said, technology is making us dumber, not smarter.

Ever see a kid who couldn't read a map, or didn't know there were signs over exit ramps telling you the highway numbers???? If it isn't on a screen, it doesn't exist.

 

[Curious Hound]

Differential cover gaskets are in the Permatex aisle.

 

[Dirtman]

So you can memorize every part number for every part ever made for every vehicle? Neat...