auto parts store's

No, it's everywhere! I worked in management for close to 20 years for the second largest auto parts retail chain in the country. We were constantly forced to hire people who had no experience at all. Before I left I was told to hire a gentleman, who had been in manufacturing all his life, as an assistant manager. Reason being he had experience in doing paper work. Needless to say I finally got fed up with the corporate lifestyle and left. I called the store a few weeks after I left, trying to find an Edelbrock carb and this gentleman answered the call. When I told him what I was looking for (even giving him the part number) he asked me how to spell Edelbrock! Damn I'm glad I left! So the only way to fight this is to support your local speed shop and mom and pop parts stores or the only choices we will have left will be the "Walmarts" with stock clerks instead of parts techs who can actually help you in what you need.