Auto Parts Stores
03-24-2006, 06:07 PM
#1
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: My BIG ol TURBO-DIESEL
Posts: 5,181
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...
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...
03-24-2006, 07:35 PM
#3
Super Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Amityville, New York
Posts: 12,288
Originally Posted by j9fd3s' post='809919' date='Mar 24 2006, 07:42 PM
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
03-24-2006, 08:56 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 22,465
Originally Posted by Rob x-7' post='809930' date='Mar 24 2006, 05:35 PM
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?
03-25-2006, 03:57 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Bayou-self Louisiana
Posts: 947
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!
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!
03-26-2006, 06:43 PM
#9
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: VA
Posts: 2,532
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. 
