Hi to all.
Today I went to a local automotive paint store to get some advise on what type of paint to use on my 51 f1. I am not a an experienced painter but have shot paint through a paint gun a few times in my life.

I went to the counter with a couple of paint charts and questions regarding single stage paint. The guy behind the counter looked busy and he seemed as though he wasn't interested in helping me at all. I explained that I was building a ford truck and was thinking of using single stage paint. He immediately responded that I wouldn't be happy with it and suggested 2 stage paint. I asked why and he said it would make for a better paint job. I asked him a few more questions about 2 colors that I was thinking of using. He just loked at me over the top of his glasses and his mask, as to indicate why are you asking me dum questions and implied as though I was an idiot.

I asked about the price of single stage paint and reducer and he replied about $150 per quart for each color that I had in mind. I could tell he was either having a bad day or he really thought I was an idiot for not knowing what I wanted. He made me feel that I was wasting his time and I left the store feeling that I had wasted my time.

Hopefully, I can find a paint store that is interested in selling paint and helping a potential customer.

Thanks for letting me vent my frustration.
Take Care
Dan

 

Find another store. I'll often go to stores farther away and pay a little more just because of the service. A single stage paint will work just fine for a truck. In fact if you aren't set on a factory color check out the paint lines that Summit Racing has. I have used Summit brand paint recently and I am very impressed. Easy to spray and cures to a great finish.

Edit. Just saw you are in CA. I don't think you will find any on line supplier that will ship paint to CA.

 

TCP Global is based in San Diego and offers a wide range of autobody supplies including House of Kolor and their own line of paints. While living in the San Diego area I routinely bought paint from out of state vendors using online services...that said, there are products with high VOCs that cannot be purchased in CA. If you need someone to talk to in person then I would recommend that you take a drive south down to the Roseville area, some of the finest custom automobile shops on the West coast are located there so there has to be quite a few body shop supply stores in that area. As for your experience with the other shop, as with any business the counter help can get overwhelmed and short with customers. Your statement that "The guy behind the counter looked busy" is telling. If you went into that same store at a time when they weren't busy am relatively sure that you would get the attention you were looking for.

 

Dan, I would send that posting via email or even snail mail addressed to the owner of the paint store just to see if that makes a difference in their employees thinking

 

What store did go to Dan? Was it in auburn

 

Reno is only 2 hours away, buy anything you want and the paint store I've been using has been great.

 

Thanks guys
Yes, Roy, it was Warehouse paint in Auburn.
I have been looking into Summit and TCP Global paints and will probably buy from either of them.

My big concern was the attitude. I ran a customer service help desk for the state of CA where I was an automotive tech advisor for consumers and automotive technicians. I know how difficult it can be for people looking for assistance. Sometimes you just need to stop and listen and offer options even if the options are limited.

I just got frustrated. Thanks for listening.
Dan

 

There’s nothing more frustrating for someone with customer service experience, than getting poor customer service. Some folks just feel like it’s beneath then to give advise to a beginner, tell me what you want and I’ll get it, attitude has put many stores out of business.

good luck finding a better vendor

 

Sherman- Williams is across the street on 49

 

Thanks guys
I am sure I will find a better vendor, maybe local or online.
Jerry's paint in Citrus Heights (between Sacramento and Roseville) has a good reputation. I may try them next.