Parts guy i worked with, would ask every customer”what do you need that for?” Guy replies “i collect them!”
Part store strike out
- Thread starter Princess Valiant
- Start date
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pishta
I know I'm right....
My Autozone is decent, had lapping compound! They also had an aisle of plastic chrome TURBO signs and janky tuner lug bolts....? Best thing is their regional hub is 15 minutes across town and open 24Hrs! I needed a water pump on a Sunday night 8:30 and they had one at their hub, I went and got it at 9:30 PM. But best one around here is Hub Auto, no one behind the counter is under 50 and they all know cars. This autozone can get you an order by 1100 if you order before 10, or by 6pm that night. If I have to special order a part, I'm looking at Rockauto, I had no issues with them yet.
Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
Yea, I think I'm very close to your age.
I started auto school classes in late 03 into 04 out of high school. I didn't know anything at the time and accepted how things were at that point in time as "normal"
By 2009/10 I had really become a car fanatic and was buying them up whenever I found them. I remember in summer of 08 and 09 l was daily driving a 74 duster and I could walk into auto zone and get an electronic ignition distributor for a slant six and they had it in stock. No ordering, walk in and carry out.
Seems like after 2010 they stated gradually changing and now I never find anything I need in auto zone. They used to cater to old cars as of the 2010 era, but I'm not even sure what they cater to now because nothing makes sense in auto zone anymore. They even got rid of their electronic ignition module tester, they used to let me use that tester on my own and I got to know some of the older knowledgeable people in ther . All gone now.
O'Reilly does charge shipping on special order items that are ordered straight from the manufacturer. That means they have to use FedEx, UPS or USPS. They get charged, so you get charged.
What I find distressing is the amount of normal stocking items they no longer keep in the store that they should have on the shelf. That was one of my biggest complaints. The big for instance I gave was rear wheel drive vehicles have two spindle nuts. How many of each size do the stores stock? You guessed it. One. I got laughed at on a regular basis whenever I brought up the lack of stock. Laughed at. They don't give a ****. One tube of locktite that's been opened, used and taped up. That's totally unacceptable and yet, that's the bullshit run chains that put GOOD mom and pop stores out of business that stocked everything under the sun. Sad, really.
What I find distressing is the amount of normal stocking items they no longer keep in the store that they should have on the shelf. That was one of my biggest complaints. The big for instance I gave was rear wheel drive vehicles have two spindle nuts. How many of each size do the stores stock? You guessed it. One. I got laughed at on a regular basis whenever I brought up the lack of stock. Laughed at. They don't give a ****. One tube of locktite that's been opened, used and taped up. That's totally unacceptable and yet, that's the bullshit run chains that put GOOD mom and pop stores out of business that stocked everything under the sun. Sad, really.
Charrlie_S
Well-Known Member
I refuse to deal with Advance auto parts. I have/had a commercial account with them. But found I get a better price by ordering online and picking up the part in the store. This after spending over $100,000 in the one store alone. My store is only 2 miles from me, but I drive 12 miles to the next nearest store (O'riellys)
O'riellys also has a "hub" store in town, and doesn't charge a fee unless the ordered part has to come from the manufacturer, and gives me a better discount then any other store. Even though I'm retired and don't buy much at all.
O'riellys also has a "hub" store in town, and doesn't charge a fee unless the ordered part has to come from the manufacturer, and gives me a better discount then any other store. Even though I'm retired and don't buy much at all.
The best of the bunch in my world is NAPA. Mostly they are pretty good.
My O'Reilly's stinks. (Sorry, RRR, but it's the truth.) Two different times they had one person at the counter, multiple customers waiting, and no one came to help. You can clearly see and hear other employees in the store, but the clerk isn't smart enough to call for more counter help, and doesn't give a ****. I walked out both times and won't go back. I called the corporate office to talk to the district manager, could not get through (fair enough), left two messages, and never heard back.
The local Auto Zone has one guy who knows his stuff, the rest are just plain ignorant. I went in for a set of universal plug wires with 90-degree boots, and the kid absolutely positively would not try to find them without year, make, and model. I told him it doesn't matter, I'm going to cut them to fit. He didn't care. When he failed to find them he asked the manager (that knows his stuff) and is told there are several dozen boxes right behind him at the counter. I understand everyone has a learning curve for a new job, for for Pete's Sake, if you're going to work in an auto parts store, learn something about cars!
Then there was the same Auto Zone kid above, who asked what car I was working on. 66 Valiant. Who makes a Valiant? Plymouth. Who makes a Plymouth?
I walked out, again.
My O'Reilly's stinks. (Sorry, RRR, but it's the truth.) Two different times they had one person at the counter, multiple customers waiting, and no one came to help. You can clearly see and hear other employees in the store, but the clerk isn't smart enough to call for more counter help, and doesn't give a ****. I walked out both times and won't go back. I called the corporate office to talk to the district manager, could not get through (fair enough), left two messages, and never heard back.
The local Auto Zone has one guy who knows his stuff, the rest are just plain ignorant. I went in for a set of universal plug wires with 90-degree boots, and the kid absolutely positively would not try to find them without year, make, and model. I told him it doesn't matter, I'm going to cut them to fit. He didn't care. When he failed to find them he asked the manager (that knows his stuff) and is told there are several dozen boxes right behind him at the counter. I understand everyone has a learning curve for a new job, for for Pete's Sake, if you're going to work in an auto parts store, learn something about cars!
Then there was the same Auto Zone kid above, who asked what car I was working on. 66 Valiant. Who makes a Valiant? Plymouth. Who makes a Plymouth?
I walked out, again.
bcschief
Well-Known Member
I used to work for Autozone if we did not have the part we could get it no charge for the customer from another local store on our hub run route, from our hub or from our mega hub with 2 deliveries per day. Or from the vendor usually 2 days with free FedEx shipping to the store and if you order on line ship to home free shipping on orders over $100.00.
Don't apologize to me I don't work for the bastards anymore.
bcschief
Well-Known Member
Hard to get good help these days
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
At least the rear end won't burn and itch...
famous bob
mopar misfit
I actually walked into the closest o riellies and bought a pair of the valve cover gaskets that I like , had them in stock.
First time I ever found anything for a 440 in stock !!
Speaking of Autozone, I have a new store being built a mile down the street. It could be handy and I'll give them some business.
Must be money in selling auto parts because we have a Autozone, Advance Auto across from each other and an Orilies just moved in a half a block away. I rarely hit that area after the Kmart, radio shack, Montgomery Wards, Penny’s, and “cleaner” Long Johns Fish closed.
My counterpoint.... Great experiences recently with vendors who don't have the overhead/expense of brick and mortar stores. I wanted only a new sock for dogs battery powered toy called Hyper Pet from one ( sold out at amazon, ebay, everywhere I looked).
I needed new wooden handles and wedges for a 30 year old wheel barrow from another. I spoke with representatives on the phone who said their warehouses are in Ohio and New Jersey. Skeleton crews in those warehouses for minimal hours.
Gracie got a entire new Hyper Pet for her birthday rather than a new sock only. Zero cost to me. Wheel barrow parts that should have cost 46.xx plus shipping were discounted to 34.10 and free shipping because delivery would take 3 to 4 weeks.
Next Saturday morning I'll go pick up 80 lbs of fresh boneless skinless chicken for only 85.00 ( direct from House Of Raeford).
I too have over payed for toilet paper, etc,,, at local brick and mortar stores. I'm sure there was a frown behind my mask. I don't do the math / weigh the good against the bad, I just roll with the punches. Good luck to all
I needed new wooden handles and wedges for a 30 year old wheel barrow from another. I spoke with representatives on the phone who said their warehouses are in Ohio and New Jersey. Skeleton crews in those warehouses for minimal hours.
Gracie got a entire new Hyper Pet for her birthday rather than a new sock only. Zero cost to me. Wheel barrow parts that should have cost 46.xx plus shipping were discounted to 34.10 and free shipping because delivery would take 3 to 4 weeks.
Next Saturday morning I'll go pick up 80 lbs of fresh boneless skinless chicken for only 85.00 ( direct from House Of Raeford).
I too have over payed for toilet paper, etc,,, at local brick and mortar stores. I'm sure there was a frown behind my mask. I don't do the math / weigh the good against the bad, I just roll with the punches. Good luck to all
69FBCuda
Stand back 10' for your viewing pleasure & Safety
I think part of the problem is that stores will accept most any return open, damaged or half eaten. The "by the numbers clerks" don't want to sell you a part that will only be returned a short time later, not every customer knows what their talking about.
And yes Rainy Tractor supply has International Harvester Red and if it's not in stock they will ship free to the store.
Rust-Oleum Rust-Oleum Specialty Farm & Implement Spray Paint, Gloss, International Harvester Red, 12 oz., 280127 at Tractor Supply Co.
And yes Rainy Tractor supply has International Harvester Red and if it's not in stock they will ship free to the store.
Rust-Oleum Rust-Oleum Specialty Farm & Implement Spray Paint, Gloss, International Harvester Red, 12 oz., 280127 at Tractor Supply Co.
crvtec90
Well-Known Member
None of the big chains here will charge to move parts store to store. Thats ridiculous! However if you dont pre- pay for the item it might get sent back because the employees that show up after shift change do not understand why the parts is there.
Of course I live in a big city with lots of competition and you can throw a stone in any direction to hit a big chain parts store.
Its big business now and they like there profit. Yes its hard to find an employee that knows their stuff but when I do find them I stick with them. I always tell friends to try and order from a store instead of online because if the parts is wrong/ bad/ doesnt fit ( which happens every day) then you just go back to the store and dont have to worry about returning stuff in the mail and losing days.
Im 40 and I remember the Bennett auto supply in my home town. Pretty sure they got bought out by Advanced ( which used to be called Discount). They had a machine shop in the back and It always smelled like car parts. The whole entire counter was full of books to look up parts.
Of course I live in a big city with lots of competition and you can throw a stone in any direction to hit a big chain parts store.
Its big business now and they like there profit. Yes its hard to find an employee that knows their stuff but when I do find them I stick with them. I always tell friends to try and order from a store instead of online because if the parts is wrong/ bad/ doesnt fit ( which happens every day) then you just go back to the store and dont have to worry about returning stuff in the mail and losing days.
Im 40 and I remember the Bennett auto supply in my home town. Pretty sure they got bought out by Advanced ( which used to be called Discount). They had a machine shop in the back and It always smelled like car parts. The whole entire counter was full of books to look up parts.
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
I did a brief stint delivering parts to a local chain of parts stores.
It's a local deal...I believe they have 7 stores in NE WI and one in Michigan's UP. I worked out of the main warehouse and did overnight deliveries. I really liked the idea of getting out of the big truck driving biz but my old body couldn't cash the checks my mouth was writing.
This chain is kinda of a family run deal... but they haven't updated any of their systems or stores in decades.
I'd deliver 30 batteries to a store using a hand cart that I had to push up a home made ramp then carry them into the back room because the cart was too wide for the aisles. My delivery van had a lift gate that was only an inch or two wider than the "cages" that contained the small parts... maybe 300 lbs of weight. One push too much and the whole deal falls off the tailgate!
A lot of extra effort was required that I just couldn't muster up every night. My start time was 8PM and I was usually done about 6AM... sometimes earlier. Not often in my 50+ years of working that I tapped out but I did... lasted two weeks.
Back to the Kenworth...
It's a local deal...I believe they have 7 stores in NE WI and one in Michigan's UP. I worked out of the main warehouse and did overnight deliveries. I really liked the idea of getting out of the big truck driving biz but my old body couldn't cash the checks my mouth was writing.
This chain is kinda of a family run deal... but they haven't updated any of their systems or stores in decades.
I'd deliver 30 batteries to a store using a hand cart that I had to push up a home made ramp then carry them into the back room because the cart was too wide for the aisles. My delivery van had a lift gate that was only an inch or two wider than the "cages" that contained the small parts... maybe 300 lbs of weight. One push too much and the whole deal falls off the tailgate!
A lot of extra effort was required that I just couldn't muster up every night. My start time was 8PM and I was usually done about 6AM... sometimes earlier. Not often in my 50+ years of working that I tapped out but I did... lasted two weeks.
Back to the Kenworth...
Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
Much better experience with Advance Auto Parts today.
I walk in and the dudes in there were friendly, they have a very good selection of engine paints, all right there in stock. The only thing with them is they put the paints on a really tall shelf. Out of my reach, but there was a really tall fellow customer who started a conversation with me so it was easy to ask him to get a few cans of red down to me lol.
They have a bigger variety of silicones, and gasket makers. nothing was opened previously, all new and crisp.
Advance auto is going to be my standard now, even signed up for speed points perks.
I walk in and the dudes in there were friendly, they have a very good selection of engine paints, all right there in stock. The only thing with them is they put the paints on a really tall shelf. Out of my reach, but there was a really tall fellow customer who started a conversation with me so it was easy to ask him to get a few cans of red down to me lol.
They have a bigger variety of silicones, and gasket makers. nothing was opened previously, all new and crisp.
Advance auto is going to be my standard now, even signed up for speed points perks.
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Northern Grit
Well-Known Member
The town I work in has a population of 10k. They already had Napa, AutoZone, and Auto Value parts stores. One day an Orileys rep showed up at the shop to tell us they were building a store and giving promo rates if you "start a commercial account now". We asked why they were moving into an already oversaturated market for our area and he told us "if there is an AutoZone then Oriley will move in as close as possible even if the stores lose money because it's the main goal of the investors to simply put AutoZone out of business". For the first year I didn't believe him but I've noticed that every AutoZone around here does in fact have an Orileys near by.
adriver
Blazing Apostle
Good counter help can "cover a multitude of sins" and shortcomings in other areas.
My way of doing it:
I always try to have the part number in hand from research before I go in a store.
What we use on the old cars is hit and miss and I don't want to burn time at the counters.
If I can't find that they carry a particular part from checking on line, I sometime check with the store since their systems don't always jive and sometimes it turns out they CAN get it.
(Since Covid I use the phone and don't go in nearly as much anyway).
What I really want to know is why people feel the need to empty their mouths of various contents in the parking places.
My way of doing it:
I always try to have the part number in hand from research before I go in a store.
What we use on the old cars is hit and miss and I don't want to burn time at the counters.
If I can't find that they carry a particular part from checking on line, I sometime check with the store since their systems don't always jive and sometimes it turns out they CAN get it.
(Since Covid I use the phone and don't go in nearly as much anyway).
What I really want to know is why people feel the need to empty their mouths of various contents in the parking places.
First time here on fabo that anyone has mentioned auto value. Thats my major parts supplier. I have manager’s cell number,and the owner’s cell number. I can get anyhing i need 24/7. But i never go that far,would be an emergency situation only. Can have parts delivered if i want as well,but i need to get out of shop from time to time.
i am very fortunate to have good parts guys at my disposal, but i will say they arent the cheapest on the block. I pay for service.
i do work for both stores,and they cut me deals on parts for my personal projects.
i am very fortunate to have good parts guys at my disposal, but i will say they arent the cheapest on the block. I pay for service.
i do work for both stores,and they cut me deals on parts for my personal projects.
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
Every Walgreens has a CVS nearby. Dollar Tree is across the street from Family Dollar...remember shopping malls? Just good business...
Often it's store by store. I don't have anything against Auto Zone, but I quit going to my closest one because of the help.
Theres good and bad. I wonder how many make minimum wage?
Also on the flip side, I wonder what kind of stories parts counter staff have about customers?
Also on the flip side, I wonder what kind of stories parts counter staff have about customers?
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