Today I learned that my neighborhood parts house will be closing by the end of the year. He has fallen victim to the Autozone/O'Reilly/WalMart mentality of today. I don't know how many of you rely on the independant merchants in your area, but Brian is someone I could go to and tell him what I wanted and he would tell me what I really needed and if it wasn't in stock he would do his best to get it for me. The chain stores seem to be of the opinion that if it's not in the computer it can't be had. Luckily there are other places like this in my area but Shady Oaks Auto Parts will be missed after being here for us since 1962.
I know this has little to do with trucks specifically but it has a lot to do with trucks and people in general. We would all be better off if the hometown guy was our first choice.

Bob
1960 F-100
1995 F-150
1997 F-150
Ski Nautique (not a Truck but it has a 351W)

 

Bob,

I totally agree with you. I only go to the national brands if I am working on my trucks, a '49 F-2 & '48 F-1 panel, on a late Saturday night or Sunday and want to get something done and everyone else is closed. I never hold out much hope that I will be able to get what I am looking for.

What I like about the national discount chains is that they advertise that they have parts for every car, well try going there and ask for a rear break hose for a '49 F-2. Biff behind the counter will first give you a blank look and then do a feable attempt at looking it up in the couple of parts books he has on his counterthat go all the way back to 1998. After doing this for a while he will call over his nineteen year old manager and the manager might inform you that he can order it and get it in two or three days if they can find the part number. If I go to the independent store, or NAPA, they will look in the old catalogs they have on the back counter and find the part number and will usually be able to get it from a local warehouse the next day or even later that afternoon.

As for the Wal-mart mentality, I like to tell people that the the mom and pop establishments aren't more expensive, the big guys just sell cheaper. I have found out over the years you are usually better off going to smaller businesses where you will be able to get the service you need. Unfortunately, there are more people interested in price over value which makes it hard for the little guy compete against the big guys.

Just my opinion.

 

My uncle owns an independent auto parts store. He has managed to hold off the big competition by having parts that others don't carry and creating good relationships with mechanics.

One day I went in looking for a rebuild kit for my fuel pump. (55 F-250) They don't make those any more but he had a "new" rebuilt fuel pump on the shelf. Has the glass bowl and everything. He also pulled out a 6 volt voltage regulator from the front shelf and gave it to me. He said he didn't think there would be much call for that part and it had been sitting there for quite some time.

He and his employees are real parts guys. You take in a part and they can tell you all about it. That is extremely hard to find any more. I guess I'm fortunate that I have such a good source of parts and info. Even if he is a 2+ hour drive away. I just call my dad, let him know what I'm looking for and he goes to Charlie and they figure out what I need.

 

I'm with you 100%! I hate the chains store, all idiots. If I want or need a part for my 50 F-1, I do the same, go to NAPA or CarQuest and get what I need.

Barry

50 F-1

 

100 percent agreement here. My father sold his parts business this year because we just couldn't compete with the bigger chains. My brother and I worked for Dad for several years, now when I go to Autozone or another chain and try to get parts that took very little effort for us to order, they seem lost because it's not listed in the computer, therefor it must not exist. I have some parts catalogs from when the store was open, so I just give the salesman the part # I need, and many times they actually have it in stock.

 

samething happened here. a small store closed because of auto zone. you could go into the small store and describe a part and they knew what you were talking about. auto zone has no idea what they are doing and its frustrating for people like me that really dont know what they are doing. if the auto zone workers cannot find it in their computer it doesnt exist to them.most of them have no business working at an auto parts store.

 

I doubt that you'll find anyone who will disagree. I always shop at Autozone first, but my situation is a little different. I used to work there and I am on extremely good terms with the manager. She lets me have the run of the place. I don't even mess with the goof ***** at the counter. I look up what I need myself, walk on back behind the counter, get what I'm after, and head for the register. I think she'd even let me ring myself out if I was so inclined. The selection isn't always the best, though. Fortunately I've got patient contacts at a smaller, locally owned establishment as well that can fill in the gaps. Corporate America and free trade is killing the country. And no one seems to be willing to try to stop it.

 

Corporate America is giving the consumer exactly what they want. Cheap stuff, conveniently located on every street corner. If the consumers didn't flock to Wal-Mart and Autozone they wouldn't exist. If the consumer wouldn't put up with low grade auto parts and incompetent help, the little guy would still be thriving. Joe American has voted and he wants to shop at the Super Wal-Mart cause they have it all for the best price.

'fenders

Just playing devils advocate here, I shop at the same little parts store I always have for over 20 years. Same manager but new owners three times in the past 5 years. It'll be gone soon. I fight it but it isn't going to change anything. You're the most efficient, or you're history.

 

I have a long standing aversion to the uncontrolled growth and greed of corporate America. I do my part to undermine Walmart by not shopping there. They have stuff I would buy... but I refuse to darken their doors. I go to the local Zone or OReilly's for liquids and common auto parts, but since I've gotten involved with this truck I find that I buy things from all over and parts come in the mail or on a brown truck. Some of these vendors are big time like Speedway... other's seem smaller scale and more satisfying to deal with.... In the fullness of time, I have seen the changes we all rue... loss of small business, loss of value and loss of service. Change is inevitable. Once, Kmart ruled the retail world. They are becoming extinct. One day we might all be shopping from our keyboards and waiting for the postman. Then maybe the small businesses will return, value and service might too.... I live in hope. Best. himmelberg

 

I am in a unique situation. I have done business with the local parts store for almost 20 years, and they are now on the third generation of owners. After buying there (can't really call it shopping) all these years, I am now a business neighbor. My wife and I bought a variety store this summer that has been in her family for 30+ years. We are in direct competition with the "other place" as we call Wal-Mart. I strngly agree in supporting your local business. My father-in-law has seen Pay & Save, Payless, RiteAid, and Kmart all come and go in our little town. And our store is still here. Not all people value price over everything, some do still like knowing the person behind the counter, The friendly face, the knowledge that comes with experience. Oh, and the local parts store is thriving against the competition. They sure get enough of my money, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

When I go into the local Wal-mart, I feel like I'm in the circus. it is the most noisey place to shop in. my daughter works there in the photo dept. and she says it's a zoo all day long. And not much english is spoken there. Slave labor at slave wages. And they try to come off as a "Family" company, what a bunch of crap!! I try to avoid it, I will shop across the street at Target. At least it's clean and quiet in there. And they even speak english there!!

 

Vote! But I maybe niave. Let's see what the worm-infested Diebold Electronic Voting Machines produce next time around. Can't be any worse than what we got stuck with last time around. Maybe if the machines elected Mickey Mouse people would wake up.
Adios,
Brett
PS. "Welcome to Conglomo....."