Ever have a parts store guy tell you you're wrong...

[fitz]

  Sometimes you get a parts guy, and sometimes you just get someone that works there.

[Irish_Alley]

most the kids working there dont know about the parts books. i didnt at first till one of the managers showed me. then we had to knock the dust off each one.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i wanted to know if they had the tool to remove the pulley from a power steering pump (cavalier).  Not only did the parts guy tell me you couldn't do it (they won't come off) he asked another customer in line what he thought so as to backup what he (the parts guy) was saying----as if this customer is supposed to know about my specific vehicle..........

To which the customer agreed with the parts guy.  Again, the customer did not own a cavalier much less a gm vehicle.

This was at a Pep Boys unfortunately.   

[Irish_Alley]

they really love it when you do your research before you come in. me and a buddy went to napa and asked for a part the guy couldnt find it and said they couldnt get it. i had the part on my phone, so i asked him if he wanted autozones part number or advances. he said autozone, i laughed and said or do you just want your part number and gave it to him. me and that guy are still talking and we get along pretty well

[enaberif]

they really love it when you do your research before you come in. me and a buddy went to napa and asked for a part the guy couldnt find it and said they couldnt get it. i had the part on my phone, so i asked him if he wanted autozones part number or advances. he said autozone, i laughed and said or do you just want your part number and gave it to him. me and that guy are still talking and we get along pretty well

I showed a guy at Napa once that said a part doesn't exist because it didn't list for my truck. Went to Dorman site got the part number and they had it.

[VileZambonie]

Best bet is to look everything up yourself first so if they can't find it you can just say, "try this number"

[LTZ C20]

What I do more than anything is I find it on their website myself, or on summit or whatever site, take a screen shot of a pic of the product with the part #, line code and price, then I just say "I need this" and show them the screen shot on my phone. Of course this only works on product brands they carry but it has always worked. If they don't carry it then I don't even bother, I go to who has it, duhh. Probably why I haven't had any issues in a long time lol...

[Don5]

I walked into Autozone a couple of months ago looking for a specific tool. The girl runs to the computer. I say "Hold up." She is ready to start typing. I say "What I am working on is older than you and is not in that computer." She says "I bet it is". Me-"Ok  I am looking for a ball joint adjusting socket for a 1978 Dana 44 front end." Her eyes glazed over and she says " That is older than me. We can ask one of the other guys." No one knew what I was talking about, so I explained it to them. How are they going to learn if us old guys don't educate them? Anyways I went to NAPA. They knew exactly what I was looking for but did not carry it. I ordered it online from RockAuto. 

[BiggG74]

While I think it is frustrating when you just need that set of points or a fan belt which you are holding in your hand and the counter person still asks you those "dumb" questions it's been my experience to try and find a ma and pa store that still exists. I have one in my town and when I'm working on my suburban I tend to frequent auto zone or O'Reilly's. But when it comes to my 76 truck or my 66 impala nothing beats the grey beard behind the counter. He knows what your holding in your hand and about the era of vehicle it is from. Not to slam chain auto parts stores, because there are truly some car guys working there. Not just a person passing through on a journey of their life.

[moss5472]

A lot of people bash me for buying a lot of stuff for my 84  from my local speed shop saying there overpriced but I like talking to someone telling them what I'm looking for and what parts will perform better and sometimes even a few installation tips

[80Chevy4x4]

Shoot yesterday I took my truck for 2 new tires and they told me they couldn't do a front end alignment because my wheel bearings were bad since he could move the axle shaft up and down...what an idiot...the front axle shaft on a 1980 K-10 4x4 has nothing to do with the wheel bearings..we have some idiots thinking they know about trucks...lol

[werewolfx13]

I get a few still avoid me and go for the older guys just because I'm 30 and look like it. If its a new face, give them a chance. If they screw up, and wont accept it as a learning experience, then skip over them.

If you are in an o'reillys and getting the blank stare, ask them if they know how to look up another store's number. If they do, have them call the Kirksville, MO store, store 261. Have them ask for Chris. Im usually there, Ill tell them how to find the part, and if neccessary find it for them.


If you are in the mood for a "colorful" conversation, call your local store and ask them to describe a water pump gasket for a 97 toyota tacoma with a 2.7 engine. Be ready to hear most new guys squirm.

Also, ask them in person to order you a part number 121g line code EB, and a 121gmf in the same line.

[fitz]

Werewolfx13,  way to step up and offer to help out other members.
Thanks,
Fitz

[LTZ C20]

Dare I ask what asking for those parts and that water pump gasket get you? Is that like the secret code for ordering nuclear launch codes?

[Irish_Alley]

ltz the gasket its um....... not site friendly lol the nuke codes well NSA is probably watching now