Biggest dummies you've encountered at a auto parts store

[shooter123]

about 5 years ago I worked for a champion parts store that turned into a bumper to bumper that turned into an oreilly. anyway, imagine having to deal with about 300 customers per day, are u going to investigate every car or truck every time? no, u most likely are going to go with the computer unless there is a problem. that is what separates a good parts guy from a bad one. I had a customer (and this is one of many similar stories) told me he needed a u joint off the rear pumpkin. 2 - wheel drive 70's something dodge pickup I don't remember what year. I looked it up, sold him the u-joint and he came back about 2 hours later pissed off and told me I did not know what I was doing. He at least had the old u-joint and I took some measurements with a caliper. I then sold him the exact same u-joint. about 2 months go by and he is there with his dad and asks me if I am going to sell him the right part this time and tells dad the story. Dad sends him to the truck and apologizes to me. Daddy had put in a ford 9 inch rear end and had a custom drive line built for the vehicle which sonny boy had failed to inform me. there are good and bad parts guys, but nobody is a mind reader.

[Econoline 150]

Originally Posted by Old93junk

Guess he just could not get it through his head that ANYTHING for a boat is EXPENSIVE!......Inboard/outboard motor parts set you back good, no matter what.

You sure got that right.
If you don't have disposable income you can't afford a boat.

[mercman86]

B-O-A-T= Bring out another thousand!

[jroehl]

The two happiest days in your life are the day you buy your first boat, and the day you sell your last.

Boat--a name for the big hole in the water into which you throw all your money.

Jason

[Old93junk]

Boats are funny,......Your first one is a 12ft with a 10hp motor, then they just keep getting bigger and bigger.............Until your last one is 12ft with a 10hp motor.
I have caught more fish and had more fun with small boats, than I ever had with 200hp, 20ft monsters...........Fish dont care what your boat looks like.

[mercman86]

They built a auto zone across the street from my shop, and on my lunch break i stopped in there to buy some motorcraft oil and filter for my truck. While i was waiting in line, the guy in front of me approached the counter and said: "Uh, yea I need a coil, its for a 350 Chebby." The clerk asked what kind of "Chebby" he had and the customer responded "uh, yea its actually in a boat but its a Chebby." Then the best part, the clerk said "we dont sell parts for boats, and actually i dont think that they are the same as ones used on cars, why dont you try across the street?" Customer: "Aww F**k those guys why should I pay those robbers double for somthing thats the same as a car!" I wish i had some of my cards on me to hand him on his way out.

[Econoline 150]

Originally Posted by mercman86

They built a auto zone across the street from my shop, and on my lunch break i stopped in there to buy some motorcraft oil and filter for my truck. While i was waiting in line, the guy in front of me approached the counter and said: "Uh, yea I need a coil, its for a 350 Chebby." The clerk asked what kind of "Chebby" he had and the customer responded "uh, yea its actually in a boat but its a Chebby." Then the best part, the clerk said "we dont sell parts for boats, and actually i dont think that they are the same as ones used on cars, why dont you try across the street?" Customer: "Aww F**k those guys why should I pay those robbers double for somthing thats the same as a car!" I wish i had some of my cards on me to hand him on his way out.

Marine engines have plenty of differences, and Ive even heard they did have some reverse rotating 350 Chebbies. The blocks are thicker castings and usually have 4 bolt mains and steel cranks. Then you have marine type ignitions.

[Old93junk]

I saw a guy try to buy a holley carb. rebuild kit for a 351w in boat, the guy at the counter tried to tell him that marine engines carbs use special kits, because they can leak NO fuel as liquid or vapor, because it settles in the bilge and creates a explosion hazard. The guy would not relent, and finally left pissed off, yelling that, "they are all the same!"........I guess when he has a spark under the engine cover, and goes up like roman candle, he will remember the counter guys warning.

[mercman86]

All marine engines and componets must be certified by the coast guard for spark protection. MerCruiser uses their own ignition systems (on carb'd engines from about '83-till presant at least) called "Thunderbolt." IT is in no way compatable with automotive applications. Starters, alternators, distributors, carbs, ect, ect must comply with these regulations. Us dealers and marine manufacturers are required by LAW to comply with these rules and use only componets that have the lable on them saying that they comply with the laws set by the coast guard as far as spark supression. So if someone uses an automotive starter or alternator or any other componet on a marine engine, they are breaking the law. It seems people place cheapness over their own and their families safety. I have seen fires and even had one flame up on me in the shop due to people installing the wrong componets!

[Econoline 150]

Originally Posted by mercman86

All marine engines and componets must be certified by the coast guard for spark protection. MerCruiser uses their own ignition systems (on carb'd engines from about '83-till presant at least) called "Thunderbolt." IT is in no way compatable with automotive applications. Starters, alternators, distributors, carbs, ect, ect must comply with these regulations. Us dealers and marine manufacturers are required by LAW to comply with these rules and use only componets that have the lable on them saying that they comply with the laws set by the coast guard as far as spark supression. So if someone uses an automotive starter or alternator or any other componet on a marine engine, they are breaking the law. It seems people place cheapness over their own and their families safety. I have seen fires and even had one flame up on me in the shop due to people installing the wrong componets!

I've heard plenty of explosion stories over peoples stupidity on the water. I witnessed a huge fire that spread at a harbor in the early 1980s at Woodland Marina in St Charles, Mo with family when a fire broke out late at night that rapidly spread to other boats. Turns out some idiot used a automotive component that sparked and caused an explosion. Docks caught fire, roof fell in sinking boats.

[Old93junk]

Too many people who own I/O boats look under the cover and see a 350 Chev. or 351 Ford, and run off to the auto parts store for replacement parts that are for automotive duty...................WRONG!!!!!! Trying to save a buck will at least get you stranded in the middle of big water, or in worst case scenario get you and buddies or family dead. If its for a marine version engine, go to the right place for parts!

[mercman86]

I actually had someone call the shop once and ask for a price for a set of spark plug wires for a 1977 MerCruiser 188. (A merc 4 cyl block with a Ford 460 head, kind of an oddball). I gave him a price and he of course scoffed at it, and actually asked: "If i go to pep boys, what kind of car or truck was that used in so they can look them up?" When i explained that it was a motor that was never used in any automobile, and was specifically designed for marine use, he responded "ok whatever" and hung up.

[Old93junk]

One guy was at the service counter at the marine repair shop lamenting about having to have his OMC 350 Chevy rebuilt because it spun a rod bearing.......He said, "its not like its in a car or truck and its working hard!, its just pushing a boat!"......The counter guy had to inform him that marine service is FAR harder than automotive, 35mph around the lake at 4,000rpms is like driving your truck up a 6% grade at 85mph....continuously!....Some folks are clueless about boats.

[Aftrmidnite]

I always liked the ones that came in that got a ticket for a burned out brake lamp. Wouldn't have a clue to what they were driving. I'd look up the bulbs and explain to them it was a stop and turn bulb. Also there were two other bulbs in the housing and they ought to replace them, at the same time. turned down the advice. When I'd bring the blister pack to the counter, they only wanted one bulb, out of the pack, some would bring the pack back with one bulb broken wanting a refund, for half the ticket.

Had a guy come in with a BMW that looked track ready for Le Mans, one bulb was burned out. Kept asking me if the bulbs were OEM, told him they were better than the OEM, as I had to remove the bulb, and it wasn't HD
He came in a couple days later and wanted a warranty refund on the failed original bulbs, as they had to be under warrenty because the car wasn't that old. Cheap SOB wasn't driving car that cost more than most peoples house and he wants a refund on light bulbs, told him to take his bulbs to BMW.

[shooter123]

happened to me all the time aftrmidnite, I think that people need to be a parts guy b4 they judge one.