How many times do you go to "The Auto Parts Stores" and ask for a part.The first thing they say is "What's it for" Then I always say, "It doesn't matter" because I am usually using the parts form a different car year, make, or model. Just came to mind. lol
Auto Part Store Questions
- Thread starter Dustedu2
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dustermaniac
Senior Member
All the time.
DonnieLawson
68 Barracuda
Ive found that if your lucky enough to find an older motorhead behind the counter , he'll usually pull through. some of the younger guys will surprise me about finding some stuff, but not very often.
Ive had to go back home on a few occasions and look the part up on the web and go back.....
Now I try to know what I need before I go, on the odd stuff especially
I'm not knocking teenagers or anything like that , it's just that the people that's been there and done that know the ins and outs .
Donnie
Ive had to go back home on a few occasions and look the part up on the web and go back.....
Now I try to know what I need before I go, on the odd stuff especially
I'm not knocking teenagers or anything like that , it's just that the people that's been there and done that know the ins and outs .
Donnie
ramcharger
Dismember
I used to work at a parts store when I was a kid, so I know some of the stuff that these guys/gals have to go through. I try to make it easy on the both of us by:
A: Getting a part number first or make, model, year, engine etc. that the part would come from. We all know that engine size has nothing to do with an ignition switch or turn signal switch, but they have to have it or the part won't come up on the screen. Not their fault.
B: If it's going to take a some time to match something up, I bring the part and go on off hours when they are not slammed.
C: Be patient and be cool. You may just teach them something.
D: Keep your receipts and don't blame them if you matched up a part on your own, lol.
E: Clean up your cores a little bit and don't bring back your master cylinders full of fluid.
You have to keep in mind that the countermen are restricted by the computer and don't have access to books anymore which makes cross-referencing very difficult. Even the hookups on the alternator testers are shown by the part number they enter.
I spent some time with a young counterman one day and instucted him on how an alternator really works so he doesn't have to rely on the computer anymore. He was very appreciative and started telling me about his projects (rice, but a car is a car) and I now have "special priviliges" and am allowed free access to the stock room if I need it, lol. They also don't ***** if I bring in my big 5 gal waste oil container.
Just food for thought.
A: Getting a part number first or make, model, year, engine etc. that the part would come from. We all know that engine size has nothing to do with an ignition switch or turn signal switch, but they have to have it or the part won't come up on the screen. Not their fault.
B: If it's going to take a some time to match something up, I bring the part and go on off hours when they are not slammed.
C: Be patient and be cool. You may just teach them something.
D: Keep your receipts and don't blame them if you matched up a part on your own, lol.
E: Clean up your cores a little bit and don't bring back your master cylinders full of fluid.
You have to keep in mind that the countermen are restricted by the computer and don't have access to books anymore which makes cross-referencing very difficult. Even the hookups on the alternator testers are shown by the part number they enter.
I spent some time with a young counterman one day and instucted him on how an alternator really works so he doesn't have to rely on the computer anymore. He was very appreciative and started telling me about his projects (rice, but a car is a car) and I now have "special priviliges" and am allowed free access to the stock room if I need it, lol. They also don't ***** if I bring in my big 5 gal waste oil container.
Just food for thought.
Agreed, a lot of times it helps to explain what you are doing, and it's not always the young ones that do what they do. I have dealt with guys my age that are worse than the young ones and gives attitude doing their job. All because they lost their previous job and stuck in a job they don't like or care about.
abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
never knew why people played that stupid game. just say whatever car you know the parts are coming from instead of screwing with the kid on the other side of the counter.
I don't blame them for not knowing, I usually (now from experience) try to have what I need to find the part, but I just think it's funny cuz they always ask me what car is it for, and I always say "it doesn't matter, I am customizing it". Even some of the aftermarket stuff, like fuel pressure gauge. I asked if they had one and he said no, just the tester, as I looked at the very top of the rack, there is a fuel pressure gauge. Or the part that my throttle cable hooks to on the carb broke. Same thing, nope, we don't have those, and there she was hanging on the rack. Exactly the same part I needed. I just get a kick out of it. If I hang around there long enough I usually find what I need. LOL
I'm just thankful to have 3 parts store within a mile of my house!!!
I'm just thankful to have 3 parts store within a mile of my house!!!
chryslerfat
Well-Known Member
I enjoy being asked whats it for by the kid that works behind the counter. It gives me time to laugh while they look for a fuel pump for my 1941 Chrysler Windsor with a 440 but soon after finding a 440 not offered they are very confused and finally ask me what else he can look up to find it.
I find that if I already have all the info for the part I need, wether it fit my application or not it helps.
example: for my altenators, I used 78 d 200 3/4 ton pick up with a 360 and manual trans. This nets me either a 65 amp alt or 78 amp alt which fits nicely in my 64 Valiant.
I have found this is the best way to get what I want for what I need without all the confusion. :thumbup:
example: for my altenators, I used 78 d 200 3/4 ton pick up with a 360 and manual trans. This nets me either a 65 amp alt or 78 amp alt which fits nicely in my 64 Valiant.
I have found this is the best way to get what I want for what I need without all the confusion. :thumbup:
Dodge33
Well-Known Member
I totally agree with everything Ramcharger said ...... and it all makes very good sense. I deal alot with Napa cause I've been going there since I was a kid. I also have a buddy that is the assistant manager of the hill piston store in town, now called something else. He knows exactly what I'm doing , usually modifying something, and always gets me what I'm looking for, and very helpful everytime.:thumbup:
magnumdart
There is a bad moon on the rise.
They have a computer. Without any input they will stand by it for eight hours untill it's time to go home.
abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
yup.. thats the best bet. just don't get screwing around with the guy working there. i want to be in and out and not waste time sending the poor guy in a wild goose chase.
Dusterdude72
IN MOPAR MUSCLE MAGAZINE
Around here.....its mostly chevy or ford people.....it's rare to find anyone behind the counter that knows anything about cars let alone a mopar.....or a 72 at that.
I don't know how many times I have walked in to the parts store and said " I need this,for a 72 duster...yada yada yada" and kid,guy,woman behind the counter trys to look it up just to say they don't have what I need.....then I have to explain to them what exactly it is and what it is that they are doing wrong until they finally get it right and find it.
I have a radiator from a 58 amc rambler in my duster....I took in bent up coat hangers in the general shapes of the hoses I would need.....walk in a tell them " I need hoses shaped like this for my radiator" they say "what year,make,model car?" I say....."it doesnt matter" they then over hear me say something about it being a duster , and when they have trouble finding the hose I have requested they revert back to their computer and try looking up the stock one and I have to rexplain its not the factory style.
or like when ordering a crank for my 318 and a week later it shows up and I open the box to find its for a 4 cyclinder mid 90's duster and the kid that placed the order for me immediately went on break when he seen he messed up because he didnt want to handle his screw up and let someone else take over.
I could go on and on.
so ...I always look up part numbers on the internet,look online to see if the parts store has what I need in stock, walk into the store and say I need "this part number" ....they walk back, get it,done deal.
not that they don't all know about cars....because there are a few......but I have scene doofs behind the counter that would barely qualify to work as science lab test subjects let alone trust them to know what I am talking about when I come to buy parts lol.
I don't know how many times I have walked in to the parts store and said " I need this,for a 72 duster...yada yada yada" and kid,guy,woman behind the counter trys to look it up just to say they don't have what I need.....then I have to explain to them what exactly it is and what it is that they are doing wrong until they finally get it right and find it.
I have a radiator from a 58 amc rambler in my duster....I took in bent up coat hangers in the general shapes of the hoses I would need.....walk in a tell them " I need hoses shaped like this for my radiator" they say "what year,make,model car?" I say....."it doesnt matter" they then over hear me say something about it being a duster , and when they have trouble finding the hose I have requested they revert back to their computer and try looking up the stock one and I have to rexplain its not the factory style.
or like when ordering a crank for my 318 and a week later it shows up and I open the box to find its for a 4 cyclinder mid 90's duster and the kid that placed the order for me immediately went on break when he seen he messed up because he didnt want to handle his screw up and let someone else take over.
I could go on and on.
so ...I always look up part numbers on the internet,look online to see if the parts store has what I need in stock, walk into the store and say I need "this part number" ....they walk back, get it,done deal.
not that they don't all know about cars....because there are a few......but I have scene doofs behind the counter that would barely qualify to work as science lab test subjects let alone trust them to know what I am talking about when I come to buy parts lol.
I am horribly organized like that.. Thats why I teach Surgical Technology, it helps me with my research, answer and organization problem...
dusterglenn
Well-Known Member
Why do the guys at the parts stores ask all those annoying questions? Because they want to sell you the right part and send you on your way. What do we hate more than anything? Returns. It costs us both time & money. It takes me longer to do a credit for a return than a sale, during which time I'm not selling anything.
Play along. Answer the questions. Help the guy/girl out, they really just want to sell you something. Is the few seconds it takes to explain going to cost lest time than a second trip, or a trip to another store? Think about it.
Play along. Answer the questions. Help the guy/girl out, they really just want to sell you something. Is the few seconds it takes to explain going to cost lest time than a second trip, or a trip to another store? Think about it.
bvt69dart
Technically Challenged!
Great advice ramcharger!
Dart_Doctor
Asa style
Well i uesd to havr trouble now the The Auto Parts Stores i use here. They see m walk in they call for bert i think thats his name.. He gets a pin and paper and its all good he dont ask me what year is the car ur workin. He asks what car is the part off of lol
67Dart273
Well-Known Member
I used to sell parts and I can tell you that you don't make ANY points when you pull that "they're all the same" crap.
I REMEMBER a local guy WHO IS STILL IN BUSINESS came in one time wanted an clutch for "an early Ford."
Then got mad when I didn't "know" what "HE" meant by "early Ford."
DO YOU KNOW what an "early Ford" is?
Is it 28-34? 46-49? 50-54?
"All chivvy fuel pumps are the same," right? Yup, they will "all" bolt to the engine and pump gas, but not very many will fit some of the chassis, and if you are talking about some 'Vettes, they won't even fit in there.
Speaking of 'Vettes, did you know that you used to be able to buy a Delco dist. cap with TWO windows for dual points, AND a special "short" cap to fit under the radio shielding?
The front wheel seals on my 70 Plymouth RR were different because it was a six-pack car, or maybe because it had single piston brakes. NO body ever stocked 'em back then.
Back in the late 70's / 80's did you know that if you had a Toy pickup with BLACK WIPER BLADES that the pinion seal was different? Know why? IT HAD THE SPORT PACKAGE, and along with black chrome, 5 speed, bucket seats, it had a heavier duty rear axle
I sold parts for nearly 17 years and it's amazing that IF THEY ARE ALL THE SAME why we needed so many catatalogs, why so many parts always came back, and why we needed such a huge building to house all those "all the same" parts.
One of my pet peeves is folks that provide as little information possible and sit back and watch folks struggle to help them. Does it really take making someone look silly to make you feel smarter or does it show that you did not come prepared with enough information to make your visit to the parts store a 10 minute visit versus a 1 hour long visit only to get the wrong part and have to make a repeat visit to cuss the kid behind the counter?
I doubt I could walk over the the part shelf and grab the correct set of spark plugs for a 1948 Crosley without looking it up. Compound it with the fact the motor was replaced with something out of a 60's era car ( say a 1968 Bizzarrini GT America) that was built 20 years before the kid behind the counter was born.
We need to understand that we are stewards of the old car hobby and should be trying to educate folks on our hobby, not making think we are a bunch of bassholes trying to make them look stupid.
I personally write down the year, make, model, and part number of every part I put on my car so that my visit tot he part store is as short and productive as possible.
I doubt I could walk over the the part shelf and grab the correct set of spark plugs for a 1948 Crosley without looking it up. Compound it with the fact the motor was replaced with something out of a 60's era car ( say a 1968 Bizzarrini GT America) that was built 20 years before the kid behind the counter was born.
We need to understand that we are stewards of the old car hobby and should be trying to educate folks on our hobby, not making think we are a bunch of bassholes trying to make them look stupid.
I personally write down the year, make, model, and part number of every part I put on my car so that my visit tot he part store is as short and productive as possible.
Colohusker
Well-Known Member
I only say the year and model of the Duster if I want to confuse the ladies at my preferred parts store and they have time and aren't busy. If they're busy I'll tell them a year and model that will work. As often as I'm in there, half the time if they are busy they'll wave me to a computer to look up my own stuff and have me pull the parts from the shelves.
Cameron1038
Well-Known Member
The other thing is that we're (yes I work at an auto parts store) getting paid minimum wage. Although I know a thing or two about cars.. what do you expect from someone in an entry level position?
Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
When you come in with the "part number" and they ask what car is this for is when it gets kind of funny. "Dude, I just gave you the part number".
But I agree with everyone else who said to help them help you.
But I agree with everyone else who said to help them help you.
I've got one for the FABO masses, my good friend of 40 years has a '51 Henry J with a 340/727 in it. We haunted the local NAPA looking for pieces after the motor and trans were in it. Most of the counter help had no clue as to what a '51 Henry J was. And they dang sure couldn't look up parts for the drive train because they don't exist. We had tons of fun with them until we got it running and drove it up for them to look at.
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