Am I wrong or are most of the people who work at parts stores idiots? I am so tired of them either not being able/wanting to help me or sending me off with the wrong parts. What car is it from? Well I can tell you what it is but I dont know exactly what model/year. (ie; 9 inch rear that I traded for, I told them nodular case, 31 spline, five lug, ten bolt, didn't help) I know that they use computers, but if you work at a parts store dont you think you might have a general interest in cars? Maybe a little investigative work? The youth in particular at these stores(napa, kragen, carquest) really seem to not want to help me ( oh yeah I'm 25 years old myself). I now just wait for the old guys who still seem disinterested. they make you pay for parts before they arrive if you have to order them, i hate that. With the economy being so bad, maybe these stores could find some employees that give a crap. Hey! since I got laid off myself maybe I should apply? I would probably run the place in two weeks, lol. Anyways, anybody else get angry at the parts houses?

 

haha...you're mostly right. But i don't think their computer lets them check by splines or inches. It's all categorized into specific vehicle makes and models.

Perhaps you should go do your homework first, then ask them to get the part according to what it originally came from, to ease the pain on both ends

(I've never worked at an autoparts store, so I can only assume)

 

When you are dealing with something like a rear end you need to know all of the questions they ask or then if they guess and give you a wrong part you would end up cryin and blaming them...I think parts stores need to hire only mechanics and pay them well and not just hire anyone that can read numbers from a computer.

 

Most people who work at auto parts stores are idiots, but you will occasionally run into one that does know their stuff.
Youve gotta figure that places like that dont exactly pay the best, so you arent going to find master mechanics working there.

 

It would be a great job for a retired mechanic. Its easy to spot a clerk that knows his stuff from the mechanic point of veiw.

 

For rear end parts it can be complicated if you don't know the year and model and even if you do. Many different axle, pinion seal combinations etc etc.

 

I went to Vatozone yesterday to buy an oil filter for my 88, (I use the filter for the PSD cuz it holds an extra quart and filters finer), and I told the girl I need an oil filter for a 1996 Powerstroke, and she looked at me and asked "Is that a chevy or what????" I almost walked out.

 

90% of the customers at auto parts stores don't know the difference between a spark plug and a screwdriver, and are hard-pressed to tell anyone who asks, what engine their car has. For reference, I offer into the record a view of the local Autozone and O'Reilly's, who have multiple aisles dedicated to such pursuits as floor mats, and chinese-made chrome trim. While oil, filters, batteries, and electrical are ALL crammed into ONE aisle, in a 6-aisle store.

Most auto parts stores are designed around this model, and as such their computers don't have any parts listed in any other way.

The unfortunate fact is that automotive enthusiasts aren't, as a rule, a cash cow for auto parts stores. Thus the paper catalogs have long since been consigned to the dumpster, and even the manufacturers have quit printing them. And the folks who knew how to use the parts catalogs have moved on to other things.

Around here, (DFW, TX) NAPA is about the only place where you find folks who actually know what they're doing, mainly because they also stock parts for big rigs and industrial equipment.

All in the pursuit of the almighty dollar, in a "brave new world" where the EPA has all but mandated a locked hood.

The Automotive Enthusiast is dead. Long live the Automotive Enthusiast.

#sarcasm off.............

Your best bet these days is spending a couple of days, pre-job, getting friendly with Google and finding out what model year your oddball part was actually manufactured, and in what car, so you can look as stupid as all the other idiots in the parts store, and get what you want. *sigh*

-blaine

(said from the perspective of someone who just went through the headache of converting a York AC compressor to a Sanden AC compressor on a 1996 Freightliner Classic. You think THAT was in the computers?????? And I sold parts for Hi/Lo back in the day, too...)

 

Well I was told that the engine in my 1999 expedition could not possibly be a 5.4L, because the computer said 4.6L and something else like 5.6L. I knew it was a 5.4L at the time, and knew that the guy looking at the computer thought I was so dumb when I was buying oil, because it was the first time I was changing the oil, and I needed him to look up how much oil I needed to fill the system. Well I finally ran back out to my car and then went back into the store after looking at the manual and got what I needed. I was shocked the guy told me that my engine didnt exist.

 

For fluids, lubricants, batteries, plugs, lightbulbs and general exterior maintenance items, your better off going to wally world. It's much cheaper.
Parts stores aren't going to hire a professional as he/she it too expensive and rightfully so. What they fail to realize is that a true professonal behind the counter will generate endless revenue for the company and customer loyalty as well.

I have to drive past an Autozone and an Advance auto to get to the local NAPA store. It's worth it, this fella knows his parts and he stocks the harder to find parts as well.

Tim

 

Frankenbiker is right, most auto parts stores are set up for people who know even LESS about vehicles than the barely trained people behind the counter. Mostly they sell air fresheners, floormats with flames on them, huge ricer mufflers, stick on neon lights,...etc....The days of parts professionals behind the counter are mostly over. Do your homework before you go in and have all your P/Ns and info ready if you are dealing with the likes of AZ, Shucks, Kragen, etc....I have had much better luck with Carquest and NAPA, they at least seem to have more "mature" folks behind the counter.

 

ive alwas had good luck with those stores.

 

Online Auto Parts and Auto Accessories Store at CSK Auto

Look it up before you go, and know what you want. Even in the old paper books you need a car to start with.
BTW, if you're looking in a chain parts store for someone who knows your car better than you, you're SOL. Maybe in a Parts Plus, Carquest and some Napa stores, but not at CSK, Autobone, etc.

 

I only buy oil, wiperblades and air fresheners at the chain stores. For real parts i go to my local mom n' pop auto parts place or my local ford dealer. I may pay a little more for the parts, but the guy at the dealers been there for 35 years and my local small parts store guys been there for 20. Makes me feel good to support the local small businesses also since i work at a small business in the same town aslo.

 

I look up my parts online on the store's website, print up the description and part number, give it to the counter person, and I get my parts, the counter person looks like a real operator (probably for the only time in a short career) and we both end up happy.