This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Can't stand the glassy stare I get when the goober behind the counter can't find the part on account of it ain't on his damned computer - this is true at 90% of the chains.



So - for the benefit of the HAMB, here's a Foxworthy-esque list of how to identify that you're in the right kinda place:



You Can Tell You're at a REAL Auto Parts Store When...



1) It don't share it's parking lot with a gourmet grocery store.

2) The parking lot is dirt.

3) There are actual, Honest-to-God counter guys.

4) You can pronounce their names.

5) There isn't an entire section of the store dedicated to car covers, seat covers, and steering wheel covers.

6) Neon is nowhere in sight.

7) There's a machine shop out back.

8) The only 'zone' in sight is the loading zone.

9) Dormann fastner drawers - LOTS of em.

10) You ask for stuff - you don't 'special order' anything. It just shows up, and ya pay for it.



Help me out on this - there's gotta be a few dozen more...

yah we've got one like that down the street. larry, dave, scott, they have a machine shop and have BOOKS going back to the 40's.

but they dont have to look anything up, they know it off the top of thier head

no thats me, its funny too i found out the 99+ miatas use the small drain plug washers, its only been what 8 years ive handed out the wrong ones?

Schmaltz always has the answer. It just may not be the answer to your question.

Well, I must admit I like the fact that I can rent a tool for a one time job rather than spending a $100.00 for it.(AC orifice removal tool)

Also , what happen to the OTC books where you can do your own cross reference? Now high school Smokey Yunike wannabe has to look in the same books to do the same thing I can do but now I have to watch him fumble thru it knowing I am as ignorant as he...so why duplicate?

APC Rules!

his downpipe fabrications skillz are scary!

Napa for the win!

NAPA pissed me off fierce today. Called the local store, said they didn't have the part but that the guy downtown has two of 'em in stock. So I drive all the way down there, and the guy goes back and looks, and looks, but he can't find one. So I get to go pick it up tomorrow at yet another store. At least this time I had the sense to call the actual store and get the guy to pull the part and hold it at the counter. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683664.gif

Napa saved my ass in SC when the ramcharger broke down, however they didnt save me from walking a mile back and forth to the store TWICE!