Brick and mortar stores have it rough, lots of overhead, rent, insurance etc, and I don't like shopping generally. "It's not in stock, but we can order it." Yeah, OK. Online shopping has changed things a lot.

Just be damn sure you're ordering the right part (and hope they send the correct part) that's the advantage to buying from a local parts store, the ability to inspect beforehand and make returns if necessary is a lot less hassle.

 

In my experience, Autozone and Advance Auto are good for fluids and batteries. For anything beyond that I'm better off going to NAPA first.

 

I've had so many problems with the local NAPAs, saying they have a part, and then they can't find it, or they say the other one has it, we drive over, and they can't find it either!! This has happened more times than I'd like to admit... The O'reillys next to the shop has had better service, prices, and their inventory always seems to be accurate.

 

Agreed on the capability of Napa stores. I am on a first name basis with every employee at my local Napa. The owner knows my family well now that I have made a point of buying only from his store. Every once in awhile he'll give me a freebie because of my loyalty. (There are four other Napa stores in town besides his)

 

Local auto parts store, E&M Auto Parts, is still old school in every way. NO computers, only books. Machine shop in the back and bins of parts that were taken off cars/trucks and saved. I grin every time I go into the store!
Even their parts truck was a 1956 F250...it got damaged in a fire some time ago and was sold, I got the doors off it...

 

That sounds like a nice place to shop. I bet they still have stools at the counter, am I rite? It seems as if the chain stores just want you to get and go, no loitering. ITs sad, enjoy E&M your lucky to have them around.

 

That's funny. At my uncle's store he has stools at his counter and folk come by just to chat. Business is never interrupted, but folk just enjoy each others company at the store.

 

I worked at an auto parts store like that in the late 1980s before AZ and Advance auto took over. Stools at the counter, machine shop in the back, and racks of parts that had been there for years. Owners retired and a couple employees tried to keep it going but I think the writing was on the wall. It closed years ago.
Now the stuff I drive is too old so most of the time the local parts stores do not have what I want in stock. I have a local NAPA but they hardly stock anything either, so most of the time Rock Auto gets my business.
If these stores paid decent money I wouldnt mind working at one again someday, but you get what you pay for and I am not that cheap

 

I too like Rock Auto but sometimes the shipping from different locations can get outta hand. They really have some great deals on dealer close out items.

 

Yesterday I was trying to find a power steering leak on my 98. Found a loose fitting on the pump but couldn't get a wrench on it. Thought a crows foot would work. Called O really's and asked the guy what size the flarenut was and he said he has no way of telling. I asked him if he had a hose there, he says yeah . could he check it out for me? No. I'll run down to NAPA tomorrow and get my answer.

 

What a twatwaffle

 

Charlie,


loved the doors