Why is it...........that the kid at the parts counter, when told that you need a part for an '83 Bronco will inevitably ask, "Full size Bronco or Bronco-II"; and when you confirm that, indeed, you mean full size Bronco, will then ask, "2 or 4 wheel drive."

 

I get that with my '96 but if they look at the computer the bronco II isn't even an option to pick from.

 

When I worked at autozone when I punched in bronco, it would not ask me 2 or 4wd.
But not all computer systems are the same.
Also, not all kids behind the counter are all there.

 

Actual Autozone experience about two years ago.

Me:
I need a serpentine belt for a 93 Bronco, 302 with air conditioning.

Clerk:
2 or 4 wheel drive?

Me:
There are no 2WD Bronco's.

Clerk:
Well sir, yes there are. See its right here... 2WD or 4WD.

Me:
Well no wonder its asking you that... you've got the wrong model.

Clerk:
You said 93 Bronco right?

Me:
Thats 1983 and its the Bronco II listing.

Clerk:
Oh, well they are the same I just need to know 2 or 4WD drive.

Me:
Thanks, but I won't be purchasing anything from you today.

Clerk:
Excuse me?

Me:
Thats right. You cant' even punch in the right year when I tell you AND you assume that just because Bronco appears in the name that its the same model. The Bronco is a completely different model and furthermore was never produced for sale in the US as a 2WD truck.

Clerk:
Its actually an SUV sir.

Me:
Now I KNOW I'm not buying from you....good day.

Manager: (at the next terminal glaring at his employee)
Sir, I have the part right here. My apologies.

Me: (reading the belt number and realizing its correct)
Thank you, sir.

(I walk to the register and as I am standing there...)
Clerk: (from across the room at the computer station talking with the manager)
Well, how was I supposed to know?!

The manager begins to speak again but I don't wait around to hear what he has to say. As I step out to the parking lot, across the lot in the employee area is a 96 EB extended cab F-150 with an extra A/Z shirt slung over the passenger seatback. I snickered knowing full well it was probably the manager's truck.

 

Ya, I feel much the same way - I tend to get rather annoyed when I ask for a part for a Bronco, and then that whole Bronco II thing pops up.. well if I had said BRONCO II then that is what I would have meant ... BUT I don't feel that I have to go out of my way to explain to someone who is selling the parts.. they are suposta be the experts! nuff rambling for now

David

 

I am very fortunate to have an auto parts store in my town of Los Gatos, Ca. that can get me the correct parts always without asking irrelavent questions, sometimes they don't ask anything they just get the part(s), I've been going there for over 30 years, they are an independant and independants unfortunately are becoming extint, if there's a good one by you shop there even if it costs a little bit more, the knowledge and correct parts are priceless, the store I always go to is A&M Auto Supply in Los Gatos, Ca.

 

I work at a Carquest parts store and I sympathize with you guys. We now have a new parts lookup which has thankfully eliminated a lot of these irrelevant questions.
Our old system was CCI/triad which was the most popular for years. It was only as smart as the user and would ask a lot of those dumb questions. For example it would ask if a buick lesabre had AWD or not.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets iratated with the Bronco II question. I like to say " Dont give me a part for a Thunderbird " and when they say " You didnt ask for a part for a Thunderbird" I say " I didnt ask for a part for a Bronco II either.

 

Good comeback helirich - I think I wil try that the next time !

David

 

I went to Mc don's one moring for the guys,
Drive up was busy so I walked in and orderd 24 Mc muffins.
The kid behind the counter looked at me standing all by myself and asked me is this for here or to go.
I asked him if he thought I could eat 24 mc muffins ?
Good counter help is hard to find I bet.

 

I was at a 4x4 expo this summer checking out some electric fans, and the customer Rep. asked what engine my 93 had (300/302/351). I tried to tell him that the 300 was dropped after 92 in Broncos, but that it was still available in the F150 version. He basically told me that there was no way that their company could have that incorrect, and that I must be wrong. LOL!

 

My Brother in law works for NAPA and he gave me a password for napaprolink.
I look up my own parts from my laptop at home and just call him with part numbers.
Sure made my life and his easier.

As far as Parts people go:
Still waiting for second leafspring for my lift from Tuff Country.
I got charged for two, email confirmed order showed two. They shipped one to Pennsylvania then tracked it down and sent it to me in Oregon.
Second spring now on backorder.
You think they would know they work in pairs.

 

Now that is classic! Kinda like the guy who's flyin' from NY to LA and wants one bag sent to, Sydney, one to Beunos Aires, and one to Anchorage. The clerk tells him they can't do that. He responds with, "Why not? you did it last week?"

 

the parts kid is not a parts kid, he's just readn the computer. like todays mechanics their not mechs, they are techs the majority of them wouldnt have a clue whats wrong with your car if the computer didnt tell them... i'd take my truck to a guy that stuffs a long handled screwdriver to his ear and put the headof the driver on the valvecover listens abit and tells me that i have a weak exhaust valve return spring on the number 3 cylinder as he spits tobacco on his boot anyday..the parts kid...i have fun with them, the questions are always the same so answer them all before he asks and see if they can keep up.

 

"Parts Jockey" is only one step up from "Do you fries with that?" Next time you go in to a parts store just put the image in your head of kid with one of the old Micky-d's or BK uniforms on ,like from the late 70's or early 80's and then you already know what to expect! TALK S__L__O__W__L___Y!!!