Wrong terminology

I've been in the retail hardware (Truevalue store) business for over 35 years. I know every item that's in my store and can explain 99% of them to my customers. That's what keeps me in business with a Home Depot and a Lowes less than half a mile from me. People come for my knowledge and service. Now, when I'm not there, my clerks try their best, but they don't have the depth of knowledge I do, even the ones there 15-20 years as I have extensive experience in building and property maintenance too. I'm trying to work less these days and retire in the near future. I feel bad for my neighborhood and customers as I'm one of the last "mom and pop" stores around.

"I need a 1/4-20 screw.....

"What size engine do you have?"


Idiots. .....


Jeff

PlagueOfBadgers said:

No lectures here and not saying you were talking about my kid. You only found out my kid works at a part store because of my post. I'm just having a conversation with you and voicing my opinion about your opinion. I agree with you about the lack of knowledge and help from behind the counters anymore. Also for an employee to call a customer anything besides their name or sir is disrespectful. I called a part store to get a part for the 73 about a month ago and the person on the phone asked me for the VIN. Ha ha, I gave her the VIN and she said that's not the right number, the VIN is 17 letters and numbers long. I told her not with a car that was built in the 70's. She was not able to help me so I ordered it online and had it shipped to the house. Technology has destroyed brain cells for some people and if the computer can't find it it does not exist.


P.S. just saying, you did call THAT guy an asshole.

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yes i did and he was. if he didn't understand he could have reeled in his wise *** attitude and learned something

Back in the late 80's -early 90's during a break in service, I managed a Pep Boys in Charleston, SC. Had a ten bay repair facility and a big retail side. At the time we were switching over from books to computers. What a mess. The guys who knew the parts books by heart didn't want anything to do with computers, and the computer guys didn't like the books. I had tons o' fun trying to hire people who A; knew cars and parts, and B. could use a computer. I always told them . " If a person comes in here and asks for a part, and you say 'I don't know, or " anything but, okay let's see." your out of here." Part of my hiring process was to dump a small pile of old parts and things on a table and say, " Okay, what are these?" If they couldn't name them, they didn't get the job. I had a bunch of would be parts guys and gals that just looked at me and said, "Well, what are they?" " Hey, if you cant recognize these parts then you cant work for me," Hoses, dizzy caps, OX sensor, spark plugs, coils, trim fasteners and clips, carbs, brake shoes, wheel cylinders, cam, piston, timing chain, clutch plate....I also gave them a list of 15 vehicles and the parts I needed for them, and pointed at the computer and said, " Find them."

steve from staten island said:

yes i did and he was. if he didn't understand he could have reeled in his wise *** attitude and learned something

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Hey, Pops, were you taking your meds that day?

Just kidding, Steve. You are probably near my own age. People have not been taught to respect there elders since our generation. Your older salesman obviously missed class that day.

Ironbuilt said:

Next time Steve, just ask me.

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Damn Iron....you are MANAGEMENT MATERIAL if I ever saw it

Well it happened to me yesterday. WE were visiting our daughter family in Duluth Mn and I need some bumper bolts that I thought might be a larger parts store. I walk in and stopped at the counter and ask for 6- 7/16 x 1 3/4 bumper bolt. I was told Ya we have those. Next question what car are you working on. I knew I was in trouble. I said I just need the bolts and did not matter what car they went on. The young parts guy walks around the counter to a rack of misc parts in plastic bags. This is when I said he had no idea what I was looking for and just walked out. I am used to the small town parts stores here. They might not have all the parts I need but will try and have them on the parts runner or the next day. They also know what I am looking for when I ask.