amazed !!

[Blazin]

Good idea Oldwhity. Never thought of that one. That is the most frustrating thing, you go in for a wiper blade, or a head light bulb. They need to know what engine, if its 4x4 or not. I know the computer needs this info to go to the next screen, but for heavens sake use a few brain cells, and pick one knowing these items fit whether its a 250 or a 454!
Same as when I say K 30, why do you need to ask if it is a 4x4 or not. If you work behind the counter at a parts store this should be common knowledge! The later I have had happen at the local parts stores as well NAPA, & Sanels. Not to mention I have looked at Auto Zones computer screen, and seen K 30 listed.
I have asked for a front axle joint before, 86 K 30, and one of the questions I was asked was " Is this truck a 4x4? " HELLO, STUPID, click on what I told you K 30! I get ugly and ask how many 4x2s they know of that take a front axle joint?
Last week was looking for shocks for my one ton, the dip on the phone asked " you wants struts? " I asked him to give the phone to his manager at that point. Then when I got there I brought it up again, the kid got all defensive, " I didn't ask you that, the computer wanted to know it ". I was like bud, don't even go there! The manager told him to be scarce as soon as I took a stand. 

[Captkaos]

When I was in high school I interviewed for a job at Autozone for the summer, I wasn't offered a job. ( had already been workingn on cars for a while by now) Reason, on several of the questions I had to fill out I only gave the customer what they wanted not pump them for every thing relative to the purchase.  Example, customer comes in wants a radiator and hoses. I picked that as the answer instead of the one that listed also a water pump, gaskets, thermostat and gasket and belts.
I told the dude when he explained this to me I hope you aren't serious, this is implying the people coming in here don't know what they want and it annoys me when all the new guys ask me this now.  This was about the time the "older" guys were leaving that I could ask for X part and them go back and get it to the transition of I need a R45TS plugs, them: what year car, what motor, etc.  Just give me the plugs I want....

[Blazin]

Yeah I love it. I need a such n such oil filiter, Do you need oil with that. or if I have a case under my arm. You know you don't need the whole case, we have aspecial on 5 qts., and a filter. Uh yeah I do need the whole case, and I want this brand of filter not your flavor of the month! Or Grab two gallons of anti freeze. Do you need any hoses, or thermostat? Did I ask for them?

[VileZambonie]

When I deal with Autozone I use the commercial account and only deal with 2 guys there. Everyone else is a numb skull so if they are out I'll look the part up myself.

[Blazin]

The three around here don't have a comercial counter. The Advanced Auot Supply near me does. I don't get to the town they are in very often though.

[VileZambonie]

Well lucky for me I have Carquest right up the street with a very knowledgable get it done kinda manager. He's a go to guy. We need more of him working the parts stores. When you go to AZ you need to keep in mind you are probably going to deal with someone who has the same knowledge as a grocery bagger.

[lowbucktruck]

I gave up on Autozone a while ago.  Glad to know I'm not the only one who has had difficulty with their "customer service".  Now I only go to Kragen and NAPA for parts.  The guys at NAPA are always helpful and knowledgeable.

[fitz]

 I never had any luck at Autozone. It seemed like I was always getting the wrong parts and they would  mess up the billing on my commercial account. The local Napa is a few bucks more but way less aggravation. I try not to get anymore parts from Autozone, just oil,wipers,wax exc. 

[campcrf]

hey guys,
   In Canada we have places like AZ aswell and your right, there are alot of no brainers working there.  the managers hire these kids for minimum wage and if you can click "next" your hired with no automaotive knowledge.  I work at aan old skool kind of parts store that sells everything from dragrace parts to offroad parts. We have a computer system that doesnt let you go to the next screen without asking the dumb questions. I have a whole rack of books under my desk wich i use most of the time cause you can skip the dumb questions.  Its quicker using the book in my opinion.
  I love my job and the store i work in.. just a friendly hotrod store where you can pour a coffee and bs with us for awhile about your projects, get advise from us and share gearhead stories. Unlike most of the department type parts stores. So if anyone of you guys are in the area stop by and have a coffee and i wont even try to sell you cream and suger with it....lol.....
      AZ and other stores like that's moto should be  "we'll sell you what we have, not what you want".... hahaha
   Later dudes.... 
oh ya:  Blazin, always love your posts... makes me laugh.   

[Blazin]

One thing I haven't figured out yet is why when I buy antifreeze they ask if I need a thermostat, or hoses. Why don't they ask if I need a heater core or a radiator with that?

[Irish_Alley]

they try to promote sales by selling things you may need that are related to the item you are buying ex. you need and alt. they may suggest pulleys, belts or even a new bat. you know how many people fall for that goes along with the rich snobby Eco friendly car drivers lol. also those little packets they sell "anti seize"for plugs  "battery terminal gel" for the battery, boot jelly, gasket sealer for the water pump and light bulb grease the bulb grease and battery grease are pretty much petroleum jelly and they rest is what it is just a small pack oh don't forget your brake pad grease. the reason i mentining thees things is autozone tel its "zoners" to push the items and they might get a gift card at one point our store slaked off on selling them we almost got in trouble. forgot to add something not sure if it matters but i was 20 i think when i started at autozone as a "red shirt" diy and i was making more money than a mangier "Grey shirt" psm, when we had a new store mangier take over i was working 8-5 *#* the new mangier had me working every weekend both shifts. would of been OK but he didn't alt me with anyone so i lost my weekends so i went across the street to advanded auto and try to get a job there but they anded to pay me a dolor less than what the zone was paying needless to say at that point my days at the zone were counting down. gave the boss my 2 weeks, on the second to last day i was sick i mean running to the bathroom like 2 times an hour the boss was there asked him once someone else comes in can i call it a day he says no but if i do go home he will take that as my last day. so i went home and it was my last day, went in about a year later for some parts he ask me if i wanted my job back and he says with a smile on his face "since I'm the one that fired you, I'm the only one that can rehire you". now I'm pissed cause it was the first and only job that i got fired from so i tell him to take that job and shove it. now he doesn't work their no more but like he said i cant go back even for part time cause he fired me.

[Jay2D2]

Well I work at the counter and I can tell you in my case if someone asks for a K10 pickup I will still ask them 4x4 or not because 60% of the general public does not know the difference between a C or K. I have customers that come in and tell me they have 4 wheel disc brakes then ask for drums shoes and springs.
Unless I know you as a customer I wuill dumb it down so you cant come back on my ass. I has happened before when I asumed someone knew more then they really did.  For the garage customers its another story, if you dont know what youre asking for then too bad for you.
and as for promoting items when making particular purchases its just good business sense. But to a certain extent like when byuing a water pump or t-stat then suggest prestone, when buying brakes and calipers then brake fluid or cleaner, but like i said to a certain extent I mean if you need to change your front pads I wont recomend a brake overhaul lol.
Because if we dont recommend necessary items then when the customer comes back an hour later and is all pissed off because they didnt know changing a waterpump would lose prestone.
Its a tricky business.

The best like I ever heard was at canadian tire they told me my car didnt have a thermostat. another time I heard them try to sell a customer plumbing antifreeze for their car.
Idiots

[JRConnieK10]

I like all this bashing on the dumb parts guy. Now don't get me wrong I'm sure there all some good ones but. I went to AZ once the kid behind the counter of course after he finished talking to his buddy that worked there. It was pretty easy to tell it was a perrsonal conversation and I would just have to wait. That always makes me happy. Anyway when it was my turn I simply asked if they had a 160 degree thermostat for a small block chevy, pretty simple I thought but no, here come the questions, whats it for, what size engine,2 or 4 wheel drive, 2 door or 4 door, black or white, do  you have a blood sample from your first born. Anyway I went to the back of the store to get antifreeze or something and he kinda hollars back with a little excitement I might add "I found it" so I went ahead and picked up the other stuff. I went back to the counter only to see it was not a 160 degree it was a 195 and when I asked him where the one I asked for was he said we didn't have that one so I thought you would take this one. I was so ticked I threw the other stuff across the counter as I cussed and walked out. My poor son didn't know what to think and I know I shouldn't have acted like that but man they just make you so dang mad. I haven't been back since then but we have several others in town and really there all the same I just try not to set myself up for it anymore. And Lowes I won't even get started on that one my wife says Honey I don't know why you get so mad its like that everytime you go.

[69byrd]

At the local AZ here it all depends on who is working the counter. A couple of these guys you go in, tell them what you want and they get it, the rest have no clue what your talking about. I mostly deal with a local mom and pop part store. They always get what you need without asking a million questions. Also you can pull up a seat, get a drink and a snack and BS alittle while if you want to. To me this makes a good part store, personal interaction with the customer. You dont get this at AZ, no barstools no one talking cars, just in and out.

[ccz145a]

I was quite impressed when the local Advanced store girl knew what u-joint I needed to go from a 12bolt to a 10bolt. Disappointed that there was no grease zirk... had the drill and tap it, but that wasn't her fault.