Stupid Things Uttered by Auto Parts Store Workers

[GaryS]

I heard you the first time, but it's still not univerally true. Can you point me to a Willys or AMC dealership?

Of course, the trick with an AMC (Another Maker's Car) is knowing WHICH factory parts to order (Delco or Motorcraft). Just pray you don't actually have an AMC engine in it.

AMC made motors? Oh yeah, they made a V8 at some point, didn't they? I seem to remember CJs having a Chevy straight six at some time.

 

[LVSteve]

There were Cherokees in the 80's (I think) that had the GM 3.4 V6. Had me well baffled when I first saw one.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I think most of the automotive bulbs nowdays are all made by Lucas...because of how long they last.

There is one thing that I don't like...and that is how the insurance companies have influenced car parts- for instance, plastic headlights. Talk about a safety issue.

 

[madmikeb]

I've been a Parts Manager/ Counterman at a new car dealer for almost 25 years and I've seen some interesting thing in my time but this takes it: I had a gentleman that was buying all his parts at another dealer across town and then he would come to me and want me to doublecheck that the parts were correct. When I stated that if he was buying his parts across town than probably he could go back across town and have them check. His response, "I don't trust them."!!!! Needless to say he didn't get much satisfaction from me!

 

[DWFAN]

I've been a Parts Manager/ Counterman at a new car dealer for almost 25 years and I've seen some interesting thing in my time but this takes it: I had a gentleman that was buying all his parts at another dealer across town and then he would come to me and want me to doublecheck that the parts were correct. When I stated that if he was buying his parts across town than probably he could go back across town and have them check. His response, "I don't trust them."!!!! Needless to say he didn't get much satisfaction from me!

This is a pet peeve of mine. Well guess what I don't have time for that. Body shops will call for an estimate and ask for the part numbers. NOT. They don't call for anything else. Or retail that want the part number so they can find it on the internet cheaper. NOT. Then they have the nerve to be irritated. Get a life. I don't do this stuff for FREE. Ain't no such thing.
DW

 

[Herknav]

AMC made motors? Oh yeah, they made a V8 at some point, didn't they? I seem to remember CJs having a Chevy straight six at some time.

The ones I am somewhat familiar with are the 151cu 4-banger and the 304 and 360 V-8's. I always thought the 258 I-6 was a GM product, but according to the errornet, it was an AMC product as well. I have heard lots of good things about the 258.

 

[wbraswell]

Hey, I think that guy was selling guns at Gander Mt. a couple of weeks ago.

 

[joespapa]

Oh! I have another from the past few days. The Focus has 100,000 double platinum spark plugs and at 107,000 miles, that means it's time to change them. I went to the auto parts store and told The Shirt that I wanted four OEM plugs for my Ford Focus. After clicking through the computer, he looks at me and says "What brand was that?"

I said, "Motorcraft. It's a Ford." See, Shirts, if you want to talk the puff, you need to know the stuff.

Hey Chuck,
Don't know but if you have Napa in Ohio, you could end your travails .

 

[Muley Gil]

I have a good friend who is a mechanic. His mama bought a Caddy in the late '70s. Of course, he kept it up for her.

When the starter went bad, he pulled it out and went down to the local auto parts store. He laid it up on the counter and recited-make, model, engine size, etc. The parts man brought out a starter from the back and stated, "$50" (Don't you wish you could find those prices now?). Bill looked a bit shocked, but then asked, "Isn't that the same as the Olds 98 starter?"

The parts guy took the starter, put it under the counter, then laid it back on the counter, and said, "$35." Bill said he would take the Olds starter!

 

[jframe]

This is a pet peeve of mine. Well guess what I don't have time for that. Body shops will call for an estimate and ask for the part numbers. NOT. They don't call for anything else. Or retail that want the part number so they can find it on the internet cheaper. NOT. Then they have the nerve to be irritated. Get a life. I don't do this stuff for FREE. Ain't no such thing.
DW

I have the same problem with insurance adjusters. They charge the big premiums to customers, then attempt to fix their one and two year old cars with used and aftermarket junk parts, but they call me for part numbers and list prices because their databases are apparently out of date. Best thing to do is put them on indefinite hold......

 

[jframe]

I've been a Parts Manager/ Counterman at a new car dealer for almost 25 years and I've seen some interesting thing in my time but this takes it: I had a gentleman that was buying all his parts at another dealer across town and then he would come to me and want me to doublecheck that the parts were correct. When I stated that if he was buying his parts across town than probably he could go back across town and have them check. His response, "I don't trust them."!!!! Needless to say he didn't get much satisfaction from me!

When I worked at Toyota, I had folks that called all the time wanting to know how to line up timing marks on a 22R engine. When I looked and discovered that I hadn't sold a timing chain setup in weeks, I'd let them know that they should get back in touch with whoever they bought their parts from, and let THEM fix it over the phone for them. I'm continuously amazed at the people that not only expect you to be the parts wizard, but a master technician as well.

 

[J Rich]

I see some are debating the whole factory vs aftermarket parts quality. Most parts you buy at the dealer are the same you buy at the parts house. Think of it like this every auto maker has their brand of starter and every parts house has usually 2 brands of starters. There isn't 30 starter manufactures out there it's more like 5-6.

My point is I've worked the parts house, dealer parts, dealer service, and mom and pop repair shops. The parts you get at the dealer are most likely made by the same company as the parts you get at the parts house. For me I go with the best warranty for the money. I tell people if you plan to sell or trade your car shortly buy the cheapest part. If you plan to keep and drive the wheels off your car buy the part with a lifetime warranty.

 

[GaryS]

The ones I am somewhat familiar with are the 151cu 4-banger and the 304 and 360 V-8's. I always thought the 258 I-6 was a GM product, but according to the errornet, it was an AMC product as well. I have heard lots of good things about the 258.

I can't disagree because it's over 40 years since I saw one. I remember a customer looking for one and we were told that the Chevy straight six was the same. We sold him one and I never heard more about it.

People not in the business would be surprised at how much interchange there was between parts. The Hollander and Mitchell Manuals were the bibles.

I wish I had kept some when we liquidated the business, because collectors and restorers would love to have them now.

 

[steamloco76]

This is slightly off topic however it deals with the idiocy of design.

The serpentine belt on a 94 Bonneville I owned snapped on start-up one cold morning. Only 54,000 on the car, though it had been driven with a bad water pump bearing by the previous owner. Figured it would be a 20 minute job as it had been on my 1991 Bonneville with the same basic engine.

Went to the local Advance store and told the counter guy what I needed. He replied "Have fun putting that bleeping thing on!" Why I asked? " GM's idiot designers ran the belt THROUGH the lower motor mount assemble. To replace it you have to jack-up the engine and remove the top and bottom front motor mount brackets, the alternator bracket and the lower motor mount. All to change a belt." He was 100% right.
The 1995 and up 3800 engines went back to the old style mount used from 1987-1991 which was a heavy duty cast part that did not encase the belt.

 

[J Rich]

It's not an idiotic design. It's a wonderful thought out plan buy the auto makers. They do things and try to make working on your car difficult and discouraging. All in the plan that you won't fool with trying to figure out how to fix your car yourself. They want you to bring your car to the dealer for repair. there is no money for the auto maker when you get your parts at the parts house and repair your car yourself.

 

[ACORN]

Man, with some of the attitudes here I am glad you don't come into my store! I have been a lowly "shirt" for nearly fourty years. Remember the "kid" behind the counter might not know there is no water pump on a 70 VW Beetle, but give him credit for getting up in the morning and going to work and learning a little bit every day. I don't know a mechanic, engineer, or doctor that was born knowing it all. It must be hilarious to ask for headlight fluid or Johnson bars and stroking a kid that is trying to learn. Maybe some day 30 years down the road you'll go into a parts store and that young kid now has gray hair and now knows his business and remembers the stroking you gave him and gives you the wrong part................On purpose. Karma baby. What goes around comes around.

 

[Jeff423]

Based on some of the earlier posts I suppose we can conclude that engineers are engineers because they aren't smart enough to become neurosurgeons.

 

[TACC1]

One day when it was raining, one of my wipers expired.
Shirt sold me a replacement; I went out to put it on. It's
hard to do this on a full-size van when you can't stand up
straight. Makes me about 4'10" or so tall. Shirt saw me struggling,
came out and replaced it, in mere seconds. I always go back to
that shop because of that. Actually, EVery parts house near
me is staffed by people who DO know their business. I trust the
whole bunch of them. My company runs a dozen vehicles
in this area, so I have been to all of them. Young or old,
these folks are great. What I've heard here. there's a lot of places
I know NOT to visit. Great thread!
TACC1

 

[rwsmith]

I've had mostly good luck

I've had mostly good luck in auto parts stores. Just that one outfit in town got WAY too big for their britches......

 

[TAROMAN]

Many years ago at the Ford dealer in Hinesville, Georgia.
At parts counter, I asked for valve covers to fit my '78 Ranchero 351W.
Kid brought out gaskets for a 351 Cleveland (totally different engine).
When I told him they were the wrong ones he replied:
"don't you know all 351s are the same?"
Must have been the owner's son.