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Rant: Auto parts store employees can really be useless sometimes

Basket case said:
I worked for nine years at an IH truck parts department. We would get guys that would need a certain part, and when you would ask them questions, they would cop an attitude and say you don't need to know that, they're all the same. One of the old timers got this guy, so he went back and grabbed a part off the shelf, and the customer asked him if it was the right one, the partsman said "it has to be, you said they're all the same"
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I did that exact thing years ago when an "old guy" at the time said they are all the same. Pulled part off the shelve and he yelled at me. Told him you said they are all the same so make it fit you SOB!. He never said that again and he was in there every week. There are differences, but todays counter folk don't really care to learn, they just want their pay check. Even my local NAPA manager & asst mgr are clueless, just warm bodies to fill the spot. Company owned NAPA by the way. There is a huge difference between independently owned and corp owned store and you can tell when you walk in.
 
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AlexUSMC0311 said:
As I was getting my 2012 Mopar Miller lite #2 nascar ready to show, i needed new spark plugs and a new bleed screw for the hydraulic clutch as the old one was stripped, so off i went to 7 different stores, O'Reillys Autozone, Napa, Advance, all of them, more than one each of some and each time the clueless teenager at the computer and Myself's conversation went like this:

Me:"Hi there I need 8 spark plugs for a Mopar 360 Smallblock, iridium if you got it, and a new brake bleed screw thats 3/8-24 x 1 3/16 inches"
Clerk: "Um... sir let me put it in the computer what make model year is it?"
Me: "Its not in the system its a custom purpose built setup, do you have a rack with packets of different bleed screws you can point me to please by chance?"
Clerk:"Um... sir I need to get a part number from the computer to make sure I know what to get you, are you sure we cant try that?"
Me: "Ok have it your way, it's the 2012 #2 Miller Lite Nascar, original engine is on display in my garage so its got a 360 in it now, the screw actually isn't for a brake bleeder, its for a clutch, but its the same deal, same part"
Clerk: "Sir I don't really know too much about engines all i can do is look up the car and get the part number"
repeat conversation about it not being in the system...
Every time these idiots look dumbfounded that their computer system has been beat, but I bet the parts are within all the stores somewhere, they just don't know how to find them without their computer. If you don't even attempt to learn at least a little bit about these things as you go along, then maybe you shouldn't work at a car parts store.

Anyone else have to go through the Autozone Odyssey for Parts? Also nigh impossible to get plugs for my 69 charger's 440 cause the computer didn't know.

View attachment 1075580
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I see USMC in your handle. Lighten up Marine. You should already have all that information for a 2012 #2 Miller Lite Nascar. Honestly, the idiot here may be you for not knowing which plugs are for a 360 Mopar. I've come to find that the majority of the time the customers shopping at these stores are dumb as rocks when it comes to there OWN vehicle. Give that kid some info to work with and he will find what you need. And the color of your car won't help!
 
Just call your Parts store and ask them about this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3E692AE8-EA25-4D90-8F8C-37077B488269.jpeg.jpg
 
Here's how my AZ conversation goes. " I need a radiator hose for a 1974 Dodge 440 Charger." The kid says, "What year?' I say again , 1974. Then kid asks how many liters is that ? And I say 7.4. Then I tell him the radiator is from 1974, but the engine is from 1971. The kid can't type fast enough and after a few minutes simply let's me go in the stock room and look for myself. They are super nice and try to be helpful, but many are clueless.
 
451 Big Block said:
Here's how my AZ conversation goes. " I need a radiator hose for a 1974 Dodge 440 Charger." The kid says, "What year?' I say again , 1974. Then kid asks how many liters is that ? And I say 7.4. Then I tell him the radiator is from 1974, but the engine is from 1971. The kid can't type fast enough and after a few minutes simply let's me go in the stock room and look for myself. They are super nice and try to be helpful, but many are clueless.
Click to expand...
And then some times the public are clueless.
The computer wouldn't have known if you used the 74 radiator and water pump or not. The year of engine would have been immaterial.
 
AlexUSMC0311 said:
As I was getting my 2012 Mopar Miller lite #2 nascar ready to show, i needed new spark plugs and a new bleed screw for the hydraulic clutch as the old one was stripped, so off i went to 7 different stores, O'Reillys Autozone, Napa, Advance, all of them, more than one each of some and each time the clueless teenager at the computer and Myself's conversation went like this:

Me:"Hi there I need 8 spark plugs for a Mopar 360 Smallblock, iridium if you got it, and a new brake bleed screw thats 3/8-24 x 1 3/16 inches"
Clerk: "Um... sir let me put it in the computer what make model year is it?"
Me: "Its not in the system its a custom purpose built setup, do you have a rack with packets of different bleed screws you can point me to please by chance?"
Clerk:"Um... sir I need to get a part number from the computer to make sure I know what to get you, are you sure we cant try that?"
Me: "Ok have it your way, it's the 2012 #2 Miller Lite Nascar, original engine is on display in my garage so its got a 360 in it now, the screw actually isn't for a brake bleeder, its for a clutch, but its the same deal, same part"
Clerk: "Sir I don't really know too much about engines all i can do is look up the car and get the part number"
repeat conversation about it not being in the system...
Every time these idiots look dumbfounded that their computer system has been beat, but I bet the parts are within all the stores somewhere, they just don't know how to find them without their computer. If you don't even attempt to learn at least a little bit about these things as you go along, then maybe you shouldn't work at a car parts store.

Anyone else have to go through the Autozone Odyssey for Parts? Also nigh impossible to get plugs for my 69 charger's 440 cause the computer didn't know.

View attachment 1075580
Click to expand...
I actually run into the same thing on a regular basis. I too have a car that does not conform to any year, make and model category and have mixed and matched fabricated parts with store bought parts. I have the wrong brand engine in the wrong brand car and about the only things that fit the year, make, and model would be the fenders, hood and some of the body. That being said, this is a computer based world and finding trays of parts to rifle through are becoming more rare by the day. It's not the kids' fault at the parts store because that is the system and really, that's all they know. I found some O'Reilly's and Autozones that figured out that it's easier to let me go back behind the counter to pick through their belts, or even dig through all the radiator hoses on the wall to find ones that can be cut and mix matched to make all the bends that I need. Occasionally, I still get the year, make, and model from someone but I suppose that's the world we live in. Heck, the way it's going, we'll all be driving electric golf carts before you know it anyway.
 
Having read through all five pages, I agree with just about all the thoughts on this issue. My basic tenet is you should know something about your profession no matter what that is. If you are going to be a short order cook, you should know how to cook eggs however the customer wants them. Having said that........

A few years ago I walk into my local AutoZone. The exchange goes as follows:

Me to the pimple faced kid: I need a set of universal cut-to-fit spark plug wires for a V-8 with all 90-degree angled boots.

Kid: What year, make, and model?

Me: It doesn't make any difference, it's a universal part.

Kid: I have to look it up by year, make, and model.

Me: OK, it's a 69 Dart GT.

Kid: What engine?

Me: 340

Kid: What is that in liters?

Me (starting to get steamed): Who cares? Muscle cars are measured in cubic inches not liters.

Kid: OK, I found it. There are no 90-degree spark plug wires for a 69 Dart 340.

Me: I know that. That's why I want a universal kit I will cut to fit.

Kid: I can't help you if what you want isn't in the computer.

Me: If you can't help me, who can?

Kid: Let me get my manager.

Manager to kid, not batting an eye while helping someone else: Give him a set of #1500 wires, on the shelf right behind you.

And folks wonder why classic car guys get hacked at the parts store goons.



Story #2, totally true.

I walk into the local O'Reilly's and ask for an air filter for a 78 Volare slant with a super six, an oil pump for a 79 Dodge D100 slant, front brake disc pads for a 65 Barracuda, 10" rear brake shoes for a 69 RoadRunner, points-plugs-condenser for a 66 Valiant slant, and a clutch kit for a 82 Dodge D100 A833 OD.

The kid is flummoxed. How many cars are you working on he asks. One, I say. He starts getting all hazy-eyed trying to figure out what I'm telling him at which point I give up and laugh, hahaha, just kidding. I'm working on all six vehicles. He gets the parts and I leave, to install them all on the 66 Valiant.
 
I've got one from the other side of the counter. The last dealer I worked at, Worthington Dodge[ remember Cal and his dog Spot?] in Carlsbad. Older customer on the front counter is getting peeved because the assistant manager, who had a short fuse and was prissy anyway, could not get him the correct parts for his van. I take over and ask him what he needs and he says its for the "big van". That meant a B van to me and others. I ask him if its here so I could check something out because his request was odd. Go outside to see his van and low and behold its a SHORT WHEELBASE MINIVAN. So I politely let him know that the reason he's getting the wrong parts is because HE doesn't have a clue about what he's working on. I pointed out a B van on the lot for emphasis. Got him his stuff and never saw him again.
 
anyone remember Nationwise? The Auto Zone of the '80s. I walked into the local one on a weekend when my regular store was closed. I had a master cylinder in my hand and I said I need one of these for a '68 Dodge Charger 440 4 speed nonpower drum brakes. The guy behind the counter pointed at it and said "what's that?" I turned around and walked out.
 
Another vote for NAPA. Only place I go & it's only 10 minutes away. Never had a problem. One example - intake gasket set for a '66 318 poly, no problem. Also, water pump? "It will be here in the morning" Can't beat that.
 
walk in to Auto Zone and tell the kid you need a water pump for a '72 VW Beetle......with air of course.
 
Basket case said:
walk in to Auto Zone and tell the kid you need a water pump for a '72 VW Beetle......with air of course.
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We did that once. Told the kid it was for a Corvair.
Kid said he didn't list it so it must be a dealer item.
 
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