I was at a AutoZone tonignt...

[parcher]

Go into any of the above mentioned places and ask for a part for a car that hasn'e been produced in the kids lifetime. I needed a part for a friends Road Runner and the idiot behind the counter thought I was making the car name up.

 

[78repowerwagon]

I went into the local oriellys and asked for valve cover gaskets for my 69 Hemi Road Runner. The parts guy found the part number but was shocked they did not have it in stock.

 

[Will24]

Haha, I used to have customers come in and assume I was a retard just because I was young. I worked in a GM parts dept for a little over two years (just quit friday because I am going back to school) and I had absolutely no problem getting you a set of head gaskets for your 71 camaro, no I didn't need to look up the part #, same for that odd ball oil pump pickup for a 57 corvette you were looking for. Now, remember, there sometimes are NOT any books for newer cars, I found looking for parts for a 68 chevy pickup was OFTEN easier than for a 2002 silverado. GM's parts listings are absolutely retarded, as are some aftermarket listings, so don't always blame the parts guy. Anyway, just my . 02



-Will

 

[Champane Flight]

Don't do it

I have a 79 Spitfire I put a downdraft Weber on for reliability issues. Well, I got done on a Sunday and figured I would run down to our local Autozone for a fuel pressure regulator. The NAPA I usually shop at was closed, so away I went. "I need a fuel pressure regulator". "Whats it for?". "I need a generic fuel pressure regulator!" WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING IT ON?" He was thinking maybe I was deaf. So I replied " IT IS GOING ON A 79 SPITFIRE!" "WHO MAKES THAT?" TRIUMPH!" I watched him dive into his parts books and decided to look for some Amorall, I knew this was all this store had to offer. I go back to the parts counter and he says " There is no fuel pressure regulator on a 79 Triumph Spitfire". I told him "There will be when I get to NAPA tomorrow". He got a po'ed look on his face and I gave him a buck and half for the Amorall. Just say no to the zoners... .....

 

[rubberneck]

There are a couple of rice rocket boys that work in my pharmacy. They are always talking like they know cars inside and out. I told them that i was desperate for a tune up and would give them a 1000 bucks if they could locat a set of plugs wires and points for my truck. After i explained to them what points were, they got all excited. You should have heard them talking that ebonics gibber jabber that they do. "Yo dats phat yo. Ill gets you dat in like 20 minutes yo. I gots me some hook ups at da parts place. " After about an hour of calling there "homies" i couldnt take it any more and they started wondering why i was laughing at them. Then they though i was lying to them because i told them not only does my truck not have plugs wires or any ignition system at all but that it doesn't even have a throttle butterfly. Sometimes i just can't help it. It's too much fun. Oh yeah, when i showed them, I think they got "turbo envy" The B1 just made there little ricer turbos look so small. They were bragging about 9 psi boost. I'll drop that bomb on them next week. LOL

 

[TXDSLSHOP]

My 2 cents

I am a career Fireman but, I work for Napa a few days a week for extra money. In defense of some of the other countermen I must say that after you have helped a hundred customers all day and have heard the same part called ten different names I do tend to ask more questions. I have been turning wrenches since before I could drive and I am pretty sharp but, every once in a while someone will come in asking for some odd-ball crap and stump me. But, at least I have sense enough to break out a book and figure it out. I work in a market where we don't just sell auto parts we do Heavy line, agricultural, as well as auto's! Try spitting out part numbers from the hip for all that! I have had quite a few different part time jobs and this one is by far the most challenging! I just can't leave it, Getting all my parts at cost is just too good to pass up! Jeremy.

 

[bmoeller]

Re: My 2 cents

Originally posted by Killer59

Getting all my parts at cost is just too good to pass up! Jeremy.

Probably wish you worked Peirs or DD, huh?

 

[TXDSLSHOP]

That would be nice! I have ordered injectors for my old 1 st gen and saved some $ ! If I could find the correct bosch part # I would order myself some good injectors for this truck! You would be surprised at what I can get! Just have to watch the prices, sometimes it's still better for me to buy from Piers even with my discount. Just depends on pricing. Later, Jeremy.

 

[Doc Tinker]

Find a counter man who knows how to get you a belt that's an inch longer than the one the book calls for and he'll probably be able to take care of all your needs.



Doc

 

[Boomer II]

We're down to about two auto supply places that have real parts counter guys that know auto parts. The chain stores depend on kids and computers, it it ain't in the puter they bees lost!

 

[mcoleman]

The Orielly's in the small towns around here have decent help. However forget it when you head to Springfield. Young kids without a clue. Getting parts at cost is sweet. My Wife works for Orielly's at their headquarters in the HR department. My store I frequent is use to me asking for off the wall stuff since I build and restore older cars and I'm constantly working on something at the farm. They just point me to the shelves and I go grab what I'm looking for. Discounts to racing events is another bonus.

 

[WadePatton]

Originally posted by rubberneck

There are a couple of rice rocket boys that work in my pharmacy... I'll drop that bomb on them next week. LOL

Rubberneck, leave them boys alone, if you stir 'em up too much you might convert 'em.



Imagine the space for hydraulics and subs on a lowered first gen-- Cummins thumper skate with a sooty fart can!



Now back to the subject. Every penny you spend in these parts houses with incompetents and in department stores supports them AND their hiring/training policies _AND_ most importantly takes away from the support of your local parts house with a REAL counterman.



Support your LPH!



(Motto borrowed from cycling--Support your LBS (local bike shop).



Now can you get me a canoot valve for a '53 Metropolitan?

 

[Billy Diesel]

There are a couple of rice rocket boys that work in my pharmacy

You should point them to this page.....



Muffler Bearings

 

[big jake 1]

Originally posted by wrhuston

You should point them to this page.....



Muffler Bearings

HERE IS A BETTER ONE... ... ... ...









big jake



THE FORD GUY Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Went to O'Reilly's fighting 5PM Friday afternoon traffic. 10 miles one-way from house.



Two young-uns working the counter. I automatically think - better be very specific with these two.



"I need a rotor and brake pads for a 1998 Oldsmobile 88".



Kid brings out parts, rings them up, and I pay.



Get home - put on rotor - grab pads - WRONG!



Drive back to O'Reilly. Parts punk is on phone. Other dude - recently from Mexico - looks up brake pad for a 1998 Olds 88. Gives me correct parts I head home.



Put on brake pads on new rotor - something looks wrong. Go to left side and put on pads - everything looks good.



Wrong rotor.



Drive back to O'Reillys before they close.



I get the dude from Mexico. He looks up correct part for 1998 Olds 88. Price is double. I ask what did I get. Parts punk gave me parts for a 1988 Olds 98.



I told him I wasn't paying the difference and wanted compensation for all my extra trips. He couldn't do that. I told him to call 911 or his manager - didn't make me any difference at that point.



Manager authorized compensation!

 

[Mtngoat]

I personally have given up on the OReillys and Auto Zones. Their staff turns over monthly here except for maybe one good guy and he's usually so swamped you can't talk to him. Then other day I needed a lug bolt (emergency), unfortunately NAPA was closed (Sunday). I went to 1 Autozone, 1 Auto Advance, and 2 Oreillys looking for this lug bolt for a 79 Jeep. None of them had one. I asked if they could just look and see what they could find that would work, it should be very common. They all said no, that each bolt was specific for each car and they were out of stock. Finally at the last Oreillys I talked one guy into just looking for something close and guess what?? He had a bunch of them, just none with the number for Jeep. Talk about frustrating trying to talk to these experts!!

I stick to the local NAPA. Their parts are good and I deal with only one guy there who is SHARP. If I walk in and he's off, I turn around and come back the next day. Oh, I do buy oil and stuff when they are on sale at the other places, but nothing that is vehicle specific.



Were we this bad when we were younger doing these jobs??



Robin

 

[Will24]

Mtngoat, nope, you probably didn't have a civic with 5" exhaust either though

 

[Mtngoat]

No, I didn't, I had a 1968 1/2 Mustang fastback with one of the old side oiler dual quad 427 engines. It originally had a 428, one of the first Cobra Jets. The original engine was gone when I bought it. But I could still get parts for it. I MISS that car. Guy about 150 miles west of me has it but won't turn it loose! Lots of memories with (and in ) that car!

You know , it might be a neat thread to list and discuss our old hot rods. I was hot rodding in the early 70's before high fuel prices killed the musclecars.

Robin

 

[MrFixit]

Radio Shack

This all reminds of Radio Shack. You go in for a resistor and they barely know what one is but they will try to sell you a cell phone.

 

[Dkevdog]

Resisistors are... ... ... ... "right over there by the batteries"... ... .



Kev