Its it just around me?

Topic: Its it just around me? (Read 2300 times) previous topic - next topic

Its it just around me?

April 12, 2009, 02:02:07 PM

Parts stores hire 95% incompetent idiots around here. Is it just around me? I have literally had to tell the people at AutoZone how to read the parts numbers on THEIR belts. Advance had no idea either, without the computer they are helpless. When I tell them it wont be in the computer they dont understand. They STILL ask year, make, and model at least twice. O'Reilly's seems to be the only place here that has any idea what the hell is going on. If they dont know they tell you and get it figured out. Guys are always helpful, do their job, and they work with me to get things taken care of.

Well I had to go to both Advanced and AutoZone to try and get my belt. LOTS OF BS. AutoZone locked up 15 mins early Friday. Well I got it dealt with.

Ended up one of the dust boots on the calipers I got from Kitz ripped, Had to of happened in shipping (No way he would have sent them like that knowingly). ReMans are only are only $13 at O'Reillys so I got those. Was worth it.

Driver side has holes in the face where the pad clips. Figured it would work, remans are always seem to be a little different). No go.

The pad wont sit in the right place. The one at the other store was the same way. Guy is having 5 shipped to my store from the warehouse so we can go though them and see if there is one without the holes. That kind of effort is way I go back for everything.

End rant/

Happy Easter

Its it just around me?

Reply #1 – April 12, 2009, 02:07:29 PM

It's been like that since I last went to Forever Lost city (Forrest City Auto) back in 1984

Its it just around me?

Reply #2 – April 12, 2009, 02:34:43 PM

Well its kind of the way it is you know. Most of the real knowledgeable guys don't stick around or are the managers.

Its it just around me?

Reply #3 – April 12, 2009, 03:23:19 PM

That is one of the reasons I go to Napa.they actually have people behind the counter ,who know what they are talking about.(the one near me, anyhow)

Its it just around me?

Reply #4 – April 12, 2009, 08:38:49 PM

I hate autozone and r&s strauss I walk in autozone with the print out from their website with pn# and everything and still have a problem getting the part. Funny I had to school them on how the belt sizes worked when I was looking for an 86" belt, which should be common knowledge to anyone in the store. I even have to point to the tools on the chart in order to get them for rental LOL.

Its it just around me?

Reply #5 – April 12, 2009, 09:05:58 PM

It is like that here too. It used to be the were certified parts people, but now it is just hire anyone who will work for the minimum wage they give out. I have gotten friendly with a few who work at advanced. One girl worked at a drugstore and she is trying to be a bank teller next. She told me they just show you how to look up the stuff on the computer and put you to work. The rest there are about the same caliber individual. They do have 2 guys that have a clue though. I usually try to go to them. I do have one advantage since I have made friends there they usually let me go and get what I want and take back just about anything I decide I don't need. I even got some oil and later (like 2 months) I decided I wanted another weight they just exchanged it.

Its it just around me?

Reply #6 – April 12, 2009, 09:33:28 PM

My local Advance guys are pretty cool and know alot. I am very lucky to have a 2.3T guru working at one of them too. So far he has helped me with a lot of stuff.

Its it just around me?

Reply #7 – April 12, 2009, 10:33:43 PM

Trust me guys I work at a parts store I feel your pain. Yes they all hire HEADS! Even Oreilly auto parts. I feel for you all unless you get someone like me to help you at a parts store. Those others give parts people like me a bad name. And yes some of the smarts one move up and others just don't want to wait around to start to make some money. The only reason I can pull it of is I worked the system transferring around from place to place. Each time you transfer they give you and Evaluation after 90days and you always get a raise when you transfer inside the corp chain. But eventually you get where you want to be and at a rate of pay that you can actually live with. But I here all of you LOUD AND CLEAR trust me I'm normally the guy that gets the guys that have not got the right parts the last time or any time before me. So I gotta sit there and eat crow the whole time cause the other unknowing POS dude or dudes I work with know nothing and could mess up walking and chewing gum at the same time. So yes you all are right most parts store counter guys are a POS.

Stuckman

Its it just around me?

Reply #8 – April 13, 2009, 12:07:51 AM

Just wondering if it was the area, or in general. I know a few guys at my O'Reilly's and it helps out a lot. Such as the ordering of my calipers. Everyone else would have told me "I dont know, it says this is it" or " Well the pad still goes on so it should work". O'Reilly's does the extra step to get me dealt with. I think I appreciate the extra effort even more because I work in retail. I notice a lot more defects too.

So I hope that one of these calipers he ordered comes in and is correct. If not then Im not sure what to do. Guess I could try Advanced, they carry Cardone also, just a little more but they price match. They also hung up on me today when I tried to ask if they could look at it for the holes. Makes me not want to go there even more. If O'Reilly's supply from them is messed up then who is to say everyones isnt. Its just delaying everything more and more. I want my car back.

Its it just around me?

Reply #9 – April 13, 2009, 12:17:55 AM

I think ive got this figured out.

I live down in what would be considered pretty poor country (poor as in ,, POOR).

The people around here tend to keep a car for a while and you have to become familiar with the basics to make the car survive. People working at all my parts stores here talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to parts. Atleast 50% of the guys around here have been into a motor, not to say they are masters, but have done what they have to. Having said that, anything like a belt, brakes ect ect would not stump any of them.

My theory is, the higher the average income of the zip code your in, the less likely you are to find a parts counter with good / diverse backgrounds in vehicle repair.

I have confirmed this too many times. Other people here might also agree. When you have to survive, you probably have to figure out how to fix your own stuff. I grew up not very fortunate but we never went hungry and we had clean cloths and all the things that make a home a home. Other than that, no whistles and bells in my upbringing. I learned early on i had to be able body and continue that to this day as long as i am able.

Its it just around me?

Reply #10 – April 13, 2009, 05:56:09 AM

i go to autozone on a regular basis. i'll pick up parts for my step dads 66 nova 350 sbc.. stuff for myself.. etc etc. when i had the bird and was somewhat new to it, i would confuse the guys at the desk. thats prolly most people's problems. either you dumb it down too much or speak above them. i got to know this girl at the autozone up here. im 23 she's 18.. im not looking for anything that young. but it helps to compliment her when i get to look up parts for myself. all b/c i walked in for a radiator hose, and she knew the computer but couldnt find it.. i had her swivel it around and located it, been doing it that way for a while now. girls that work at the parts shop FTMFW

Its it just around me?

Reply #11 – April 13, 2009, 12:23:10 PM

Quote from: ~AC;267175

i go to autozone on a regular basis. i'll pick up parts for my step dads 66 nova 350 sbc.. stuff for myself.. etc etc. when i had the bird and was somewhat new to it, i would confuse the guys at the desk. thats prolly most people's problems. either you dumb it down too much or speak above them. i got to know this girl at the autozone up here. im 23 she's 18.. im not looking for anything that young. but it helps to compliment her when i get to look up parts for myself. all b/c i walked in for a radiator hose, and she knew the computer but couldnt find it.. i had her swivel it around and located it, been doing it that way for a while now. girls that work at the parts shop FTMFW

There is a girl at my O'Reilly's that used to work at AutoZone. She learned a lot quick. Now I like going to her (I have my favorites to work with) because she listens to what I am saying and understands. I think it is easier at my O'Reilly's because they all have come to the conclusion that most of the stuff I come in for is not always in the computer.

I think I am becoming bias on the stores though. The main reason is because when I did my first exhaust system and the floor shifter conversion they helped me the most, had the parts I needed or could get them faster than everyone else. Its just like any other buying situation, you want to feel confident and comfortable in your purchase. When the employees are clueless it doesnt do either of those things, and irritates you even more when things are wrong.

Self interest is killing companies left and right, but no one sees it. That is my feeling on it. A company is like a family. You all have to work together, deal with the BS, make some sacrifices, and realize that the group is more important than yourself. I pray to God that when I am able to start my business, I can achieve this in my company. Long shot but I think that I should have a good idea and a decent amount of experience by the time I can open up.

Its it just around me?

Reply #12 – April 13, 2009, 03:01:03 PM

I use the same computer software the stores use , an always look my own parts up.
Even so you still have to look at books and investigate the odd ball stuff.

Its it just around me?

Reply #13 – April 13, 2009, 07:00:43 PM

Quote

Parts stores hire 95% incompetent idiots around here. Is it just around me? I have literally had to tell the people at AutoZone how to read the parts numbers on THEIR belts. Advance had no idea either, without the computer they are helpless. When I tell them it wont be in the computer they dont understand. They STILL ask year, make, and model at least twice. O'Reilly's seems to be the only place here that has any idea what the hell is going on. If they dont know they tell you and get it figured out. Guys are always helpful, do their job, and they work with me to get things taken care of.

This is the exact reason I went with a smog pump delete pulley instead of a short belt. I figured with my luck, I'd get 100 miles from home, break the belt, and then spend the rest of my time trying to explain that I DON'T need the factory belt to some moron at Autozone. (For the record Autozone sucks :flip:.) We have a NAPA here in town and the guys there are good...but their prices are a little high. I kinda have it good because in the next town there is an Advance Auto where one of my Dad's old car buddies works. He is the mgr and usually tries to wait on me.

Its it just around me?

Reply #14 – April 13, 2009, 08:05:05 PM

Quote from: ~AC;267175

i go to autozone on a regular basis. i'll pick up parts for my step dads 66 nova 350 sbc.. stuff for myself.. etc etc. when i had the bird and was somewhat new to it, i would confuse the guys at the desk. thats prolly most people's problems. either you dumb it down too much or speak above them. i got to know this girl at the autozone up here. im 23 she's 18.. im not looking for anything that young. but it helps to compliment her when i get to look up parts for myself. all b/c i walked in for a radiator hose, and she knew the computer but couldnt find it.. i had her swivel it around and located it, been doing it that way for a while now. girls that work at the parts shop FTMFW

eh I am 23 and I would date an 18 year old... dunno how seriously (drama issues etc...) but 5 years is a common difference in age. 5 years is my max age differential most likely unless there is a really hot lady who is older than me hehehe :flip: