Frustrating trip to NAPA yesterday

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I think the biggest difference in the level of knowledge at the now parts stores is in the past motor heads would seek a job at a Parts store. Today? It's full of computer geeks that have been drinking the Kool Aid that "education is everything" !!!!!!
 
There have bern several new part stores opening in my area which I found somewhat strange given that newer cars are becoming less DIY friendly over the years.

But what I can see from these new stores is that they are more retail stores than "parts" stores. Most of the building is retail space with a small parts storage area.
 
toolmanmike said:
Well I gave NAPA a chance. I needed a fan clutch. O Reillys and NAPA were about $100. RockAuto was $60 shipped for the same exact part.
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O'Reilly can match Rock Auto all day long. Most of their employees don't know that. The only places we cannot match are places like Sams where you have to pay for membership.
 
toolmanmike said:
One thing you will find, The parts stores that are open from 7am-10pm daily and on the weekends usually can't staff their stores with top notch partsmen. The smart guys work 8-5 M-F and a occasional Saturday.
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Not me. My schedule mirrors that of my manager. I work 12-9 during the week and weekends......I usually have a day or two if I am lucky off during the week, but if it's a night or weekend, I am probably on the job. I just got home tonight after a six day stretch of 12-9. I have the next two days off, but I damn well worked for um.
 
RustyRatRod said:
O'Reilly can match Rock Auto all day long. Most of their employees don't know that. The only places we cannot match are places like Sams where you have to pay for membership.
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How do you go about doing that? Most of the chain stores will match any "advertised" prices. As in a sale ad. I like buying thru Rock Auto as they sell close outs cheap.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
How do you go about doing that? Most of the chain stores will match any "advertised" prices. As in a sale ad. I like buying thru Rock Auto as they sell close outs cheap.
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We have to see the ad price. So, if you have a smartphone, show the price to your salesperson and they are supposed to match it. We also match printed ads too of course.
 
GeorgeH said:
I had a good friend working at an Advance Auto. That particular store had parts books, Keystone, Action crash, and whatever else. He would take time to pull books, look up, and order stuff for me. He was getting Spectra gas tanks, rebuilt transmissions, and other oddball stuff for me. Man, I miss him working there. They have the capability. At that point in time Advance would send certain employees for ASE cert. I guess to give them some kind of background. He was one of them, but he was a gearhead long before.
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That's a proper parts man, with pride in helping others....:)
 
I agree, ceramic brake lube is a fine product. But $35 for a few ounces is a little rich.

9 years in the parts industry,automotive insustrial farm and commercial. Almost every day something went over the counter that i have never seen. Had to deal with great customers and not so great ones too. I left because my concience wouldnt let me sell parts that were ridiculously overpriced.

Got into pulling wrenches fir a living. Buying tools and learning whatever someone was willing to teach. So nearly 20 years later i am at home running my small shop and looking after my part needs myself.
Same business i worked for,changed hands a couple times and now i deal with them daily. No brainer as manager is a good friend. Set me up with online account can look up my own parts and check the stock.
My monthly returns are near nil aside from warranty and core returns.
A good parts guy is a rare thing, if im in winnipeg and need something, it becomes very frustrating. Dealer parts are out of the question.

A good parts guy will not only save the store money,he will make them money as well.

New guy on counter, dont treat him like hes an idiot. He already knows it and doesent like to be reminded. I was there once too.

I find the new guy likes to think he knows something and its my job to remind him he has lots to learn. I try to be polite. I said try.
 
A slight follow up...........went to the DEALER (which I didn't know even had a local parts counter............) and picked up the infamous super duper 727/ 46RE pan gasket for 37 bucks before tax. I haven't found it on the internet "much cheaper" by the time it's shipped. Part no. 2464324AC

The did NOT have 5.2/ 5.9 OEM VC gaskets in stock which are the better part of FORTY BUCKS EACH. They are part no. 53006695, which..............................

...............................................gets back to the .........

...............original question...................

Who has these at a good price and what are the aftermarket equivalents?

On a side note they had a 70 Superbird in the showroom.
 
Well I think I've told this one before but just read has the right Vibe for telling it again. About 4 months ago I go into our local Baxter's Auto Parts and there's a new kid there and he asked me if I need help? I said yes I'm looking for a four and a quarter inch Dingle ball hone? He shoots me a look kind of puts his hand in the air stutters a- a-a- and exclaims "I just started here!" LOL!
Oh good times! LOL
Never seen him since.....
 
seabee said:
Are these the same?
RockAuto

RockAuto
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Doubt it. If you note on that page below it is "original Mopar for 25 bucks each. THOSE are probably what I'm looking for. Once you see these, they look nothing like any gasket I've seen. They almost look "plastic" not rubber or cork. But even now this engine has 180--200K, they are seeping some, but not really "leaking"
 
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