Auto Parts Places and Stupidity

"Cherokee-Ltd" > wrote in message
...
> Those that can't achieve the minimum level of stupidity at parts stores
are
> referred to Home Depot.Those surpassing the minimum level of stupidity are
> then fast tracked into management positions.
>
> A few years ago NAPA spent millions of dollars in training. There were
sent
> to training facilities across the continent and you'll probably find that
> they can say "it's not in the computer" with the same level of confidence
as
> in the old days when they'd say "There's nothing in the book".
>
> With that said, I don't expect these people to know everything about every
> part on every vehicle. I just wish they could acknowledge that for
whatever
> reason the part isn't available through them instead of saying that the
part
> you have in your hand doesn't exist at all.
>
> Have you ever had this conversation?
>
> Me: Hi, I need a 2" ball and receiver for a Class 3 hitch.
> NAPA: What year is the vehicle?
> Me: '92 Suburban, like that matters.
> NAPA: Air conditioning?
> Me: Let me go check.
> ...I still wonder if the guy was thinking "what an idiot, he doesn't even
> know if he has air conditioning" while I drove off to another store.
>
> -Brian


I can't help but wonder why you would need the guy behind the counter to
help you find a Class 3 receiver and a 2" ball.

Just thought I mention most these kids we see a Home Depot have a
stock/annuity plan exceeding one million dollars.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
http://www.billhughes.com/

Cherokee-Ltd wrote:
>
> Those that can't achieve the minimum level of stupidity at parts stores are
> referred to Home Depot.Those surpassing the minimum level of stupidity are
> then fast tracked into management positions.
>
> A few years ago NAPA spent millions of dollars in training. There were sent
> to training facilities across the continent and you'll probably find that
> they can say "it's not in the computer" with the same level of confidence as
> in the old days when they'd say "There's nothing in the book".
>
> With that said, I don't expect these people to know everything about every
> part on every vehicle. I just wish they could acknowledge that for whatever
> reason the part isn't available through them instead of saying that the part
> you have in your hand doesn't exist at all.
>
> Have you ever had this conversation?
>
> Me: Hi, I need a 2" ball and receiver for a Class 3 hitch.
> NAPA: What year is the vehicle?
> Me: '92 Suburban, like that matters.
> NAPA: Air conditioning?
> Me: Let me go check.
> ...I still wonder if the guy was thinking "what an idiot, he doesn't even
> know if he has air conditioning" while I drove off to another store.
>
> -Brian

"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
>
>
> I can't help but wonder why you would need the guy behind the counter to
> help you find a Class 3 receiver and a 2" ball.
>

Most NAPA's here are just 3 or 4 aisles of product and 60 feet of counter
for 2 or 3 employees. I'm sure if I had stuck around the parts guy would
have said "we don't have it in stock but we can order it". The only reason I
continue to go there is for prices (I get dealer discount) and it's across
the street from work.

-Brian

Hey... hold your breath... and count to ten. Exhale slowly. You have to
remember that the folks down at the local auto store are not MIT
graduates. You'll have to do the thinking and do as much as you can to
get the parts you need.

Professor
www.telstar-electronics.com
Got LEDs?

You ever try to buy a rad for an '89 Caprice Wagon at Cambodian Tire????
the one dude was insisting that there was now way I needed a rad for a 307,
since the Chevy 5 litre is a 305... I knew he was wrong but he insisted the
305 rad was what I wanted and needed, So I let him order it, then went back
after lunch to pick it up. Guess what???? wrong rad (LMAO). This time I
had a different guy but the "know-it-all" was still there behind the
counter. The parts manager asked me why I had ordered the rad for a 305 and
not a 307 (they were attempting to charge me the 10% re-stocking fee). I
told the manager that if he cared to check he would see the know-it-all was
the sales clerk, and unless the guy lied like he order parts he (the
manager) would find out the the clerk had "decided" I needed the 305 rad.

I got the proper rad special delivered to my parents place inside of an hour
and got a free jug of fluid...

Snow...


"Cherokee-Ltd" > wrote in message
...
> Those that can't achieve the minimum level of stupidity at parts stores
> are referred to Home Depot.Those surpassing the minimum level of stupidity
> are then fast tracked into management positions.
>
> A few years ago NAPA spent millions of dollars in training. There were
> sent to training facilities across the continent and you'll probably find
> that they can say "it's not in the computer" with the same level of
> confidence as in the old days when they'd say "There's nothing in the
> book".
>
> With that said, I don't expect these people to know everything about every
> part on every vehicle. I just wish they could acknowledge that for
> whatever reason the part isn't available through them instead of saying
> that the part you have in your hand doesn't exist at all.
>
> Have you ever had this conversation?
>
> Me: Hi, I need a 2" ball and receiver for a Class 3 hitch.
> NAPA: What year is the vehicle?
> Me: '92 Suburban, like that matters.
> NAPA: Air conditioning?
> Me: Let me go check.
> ...I still wonder if the guy was thinking "what an idiot, he doesn't even
> know if he has air conditioning" while I drove off to another store.
>
> -Brian
>
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> Has any one else noticed this?
>>
>> All the independents are gone and all the auto parts stores are chain
>> owned. And they tend to hire stupid people exclusively.
>>
>> They must have some secret test for intelligence in hiring and employ
>> it diligently, lest some non-stupids accidentally be hired.
>>
>> I am not talking about any one incident. I am referring to twenty-plus
>> years of dealing with chain parts stores. The level of plain stupid is
>> astounding. They have no skills, no mechanical sense, and no
>> willingness to go beyond the blindingly obvious-indeed, even that fails
>> them ofttimes.
>>
>> It seemed like before, when you had the little guys, they would at
>> least endeavor to help you out if you weren't a total jerk. If what you
>> wanted wasn't in stock, they'd figure out how to get one or send you to
>> a nearby alternate source. Now, if they don't have it, or if they have
>> it and don't know it, you get that stupid stare and half-shrug.
>>
>
>

> Hey... hold your breath... and count to ten. Exhale slowly. You have to
> remember that the folks down at the local auto store are not MIT
> graduates. You'll have to do the thinking and do as much as you can to
> get the parts you need.

That is how it works. You tell them what you want, and when they get it, you
must make sure it is correct and free of defects.
If you expect anything else you will be disappointed.

--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California

God helps those that help themselves.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
http://www.billhughes.com/

Paul Calman wrote:
>
> That is how it works. You tell them what you want, and when they get it, you
> must make sure it is correct and free of defects.
> If you expect anything else you will be disappointed.
>
> --
> Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California

Yep, I agree the Checkers, Autozone and such really suck. So I use a
privately owned store down the street. It's only fair to name the store. If
in Madison, WI area, goto J&H Auto on Monona Dr.

They allways beat the big chains and even the 4wd.com people for most
parts.

Brian

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Has any one else noticed this?
>
> All the independents are gone and all the auto parts stores are chain
> owned. And they tend to hire stupid people exclusively.
>
> They must have some secret test for intelligence in hiring and employ
> it diligently, lest some non-stupids accidentally be hired.
>

The 307 is a non-Chevy engine, then? What's good for one SB Chev
radiator-wise should be ok for any, as far as the radiator goes, I
would think.

There was this tiny mom & pop shop in NW San Antonio (wish I could remember
the name!) that I used to go to when I was here a few years ago. It was
down the street from my house, a bit higher on the price. but the guys were
awesome with customer service. Sometimes they didn't have my part, but
tried their best to get it right away. Even taught me how to change my
serpentine belt (no, back then I had no clue how to do that). Really good
guys.

Wish I could go there more now, but that's on the other side of town from
me... this discussion has just made me want to spend the extra time/money
just to shop there again.

Eric
"Bulletsnbrains" > wrote in message
m...
> Yep, I agree the Checkers, Autozone and such really suck. So I use a
> privately owned store down the street. It's only fair to name the store.
> If
> in Madison, WI area, goto J&H Auto on Monona Dr.
>
> They allways beat the big chains and even the 4wd.com people for most
> parts.
>
> Brian
>
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> Has any one else noticed this?
>>
>> All the independents are gone and all the auto parts stores are chain
>> owned. And they tend to hire stupid people exclusively.
>>
>> They must have some secret test for intelligence in hiring and employ
>> it diligently, lest some non-stupids accidentally be hired.
>>
>
>