Stupid Things Uttered by Auto Parts Store Workers

35Rem · #51 04-02-2012, 02:39 PM

How fast does one have to rub their hands together to get the oil viscosity up to 50 weight?

jframe · #52 04-07-2012, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeChuck

What?! You mean that using my brakes actually wears them out? Man! Those engineers have to do better!

There is no context within which The Shirt's statement about damaging my car could be evaluated as correct. As you note, the pads and discs are supposed to wear each other away. More importantly, as a matter of cost, the rate at which semi-metallics eat my shiny new rotors is completely irrelevant. I changed both discs and four pads for just under $85, including 6.75% sales tax. Suppose these discs last only 50,000 miles because I use semi-metallic pads, but they'd last 60,000 miles using organic. Does it really matter? Of course not. $85 in 50,000 miles vs. $85 in 60,000 miles changes the total cost of operating a car so little that any assertion is rightly laughed away.

What I'm about to say will be controversial to some participating in this thread, but I disagree that the drive to provide inexpensive aftermarket auto parts is a scourge. On the contrary, I think it a boon. I could have gone to Ford for the same parts and probably paid $200. Even if the parts from Ford were actually better (which I *highly* doubt), there is no way the increased quality could even begin to offset the massive difference in costs. Cheap auto parts exist because that's what the consumers want, and because I'd rather change my discs and pads twice in five years for $170 than I would to change them once for $200.

And let's dispense with any hint that OEM's don't also want the cheapest parts. Oh, they want the cheapest parts like a hormone-crazed teenage boy wants the touch of the girl next door. OEM's entire purchasing process is *built* on a competitive bidding process that provides the cheapest possible parts that meet spec.

What I *don't* want is advice about perceived superiority of parts. It is unlikely that Shirts at any parts counter, whether discount chain or dealer, really knows enough to make such judgements.

Fortunately, I DO know that factory parts are superior. After this many years in a dealership, I have too many customers who come to me, be it Nissan, Toyota, Ford, Suzuki, or whatever, and tell me that they should have come to me first. I guess it all just depends on how much you like wrenching on your own stuff. Personally, I hate it, so I make sure I make my choices on parts AND labor based on experience, and that experience tells me that factory parts and service are second to none, and I'd much rather spend my money to do it right the FIRST time, and go that route.

David LaPell · #53 04-07-2012, 07:42 AM

If you really want to have fun with the parts kid, go in and ask for stuff that doesn't exist.

Like the time I asked for a Sonic Screwdriver.

Or when I asked for two bushings, I told them they were shaped like nipples.

Ask for a self regenerating battery.

Tell them the cheap way to test a battery is to take a 9/16th wrench across both posts. You will be surprised how many you can get to do that. Once.

Ask for a bottle of high test blinker fluid

Ask of they have left handed wrenches

Ask of they have a high beam back up light

Ask them if they have a 10 inch brake drum for a Vespa moped.

I am so glad the local parts store here abouts has some one that knows things. If I go anywheres else I feel like I am trying to explain a camcorder to a caveman.

tyusclan · #54 04-07-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Green

I remember the days when we still had mom and pop auto parts stores. If you traded there a few times, the owner knew your name. If you brought in a part and laid it on the counter, he would say, ’Got one in the back, I’ll get it.’ These were the folks who knew cars and the parts that made them run and they took pride in that knowledge. Things never seem to change for the better.

Thankfully, we still have a small chain of locally-owned and family run auto parts stores in our area. They have one in just about every town in the three or four surrounding counties. They do hire young guys in the stores, but they all have older hands on deck to help the young guys out.

I buy nearly all my parts from these guys. The ONLY time I go to Auto Zone, Advanced or O'Reilly's is if something breaks on a Sunday, and I have to have the vehicle on Monday. Otherwise, I buy from the hometown folks.

DeathGrip · #55 04-07-2012, 10:10 AM

We still have one local parts store. They have several stores in the county. Most of their staff is pretty good but being me I can throw them a curve once in a while. They seem to enjoy the challenge. The reason we have fun is I don't pressure them because I know what and how much business they do.
About after market parts, Some are good and some are junk. If you know which is which they can be a good cost reducer, If you don't then they can be a headache. I'll say this, The Discount stores don't hold a candle to a good old fashion parts man.

G-Mac · #56 04-07-2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4011

Tell them exactly what you want and they need to look it up . What year is the car. 1932 Ford/350 chevy/350trans/8inch ford/a/c. Then you get the deer in the headlites....

How true!!!! I was building a trailer and needed some lug nuts. I bought the 3500lb.. axle w/hubs and wheels/tires at Tractor Supply. I told the kid at Auto Zone what size lug nuts I needed....

....his next question, of course, was....."Year, make, and model of car?"

Unfortunately, computers have replaced actual knowledge of automotive mechanics with most of these people.

cballman · #57 04-07-2012, 11:53 AM

I have waited to post for a reason. I was one of those SHIRT people for over 20 years. When I started the callers used to ask if we had the part and what brand was it. In later years after Advance, AutoZone, and O'Reillys came to town the questions then were "do you have the part and then how much is it?" Granted the OE parts are sometimes better but in the early years they were about twice to three time the cost. Now they finally have brought the price down to a managable difference. But then again as I have told many people over the years. Its your money and you have to spend it where you think you can get the best product. I have heard many stupid things uttered by people on both sides of the counter. But I will leave you with one that I think is awesome. I had a Lady come into our store and ask if the product she had purchased elsewhere would work as told by their salesman. She had a bottle of liquid that said Engine Tune-up, The person she purchased this from told her that if she used that in her fuel tank that she didnt need to purchase spark plugs, wires, cap or rotor because this would take care of it. She got upset when I told her that statement was not true. BUT she went back to store A and bought everything because the person wouldnt lie to her. Wouldnt even give me a chance to price quote her on anything. Our prices were compareable to the big box stores. That is why I have always tried to be honest and upfront with every customer. So it does really go both ways. But then again if you read another thread we have kids who just want a check and dont care if they know or learn anything or not.

LVSteve · #58 04-07-2012, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jframe

Fortunately, I DO know that factory parts are superior.

Sadly, this was not always the case with cars designed in the 1970s. Here is my example.

Back in England I owned a small GM car that had the "big" 2.3 motor in it. Remember, in England a 2.3 is considered a large motor. GM in their infinite wisdom upgraded the brakes some, but not nearly enough. I discovered this one fine morning approaching a crossroads to make a turn when the brake pedal was solid but the car only reluctantly slowed. Yes, I had been driving fast on typical British roads and this had worked the brake pad material beyond its heat capacity. The fix was relatively simple, fit a set of aftermarket brake pads made for a newer Ford Capri GT. The pad material resisted fade MUCH better, although they did require a little extra foot pressure when cold. A price worth paying, IMHO.

GaryS · #59 04-07-2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiasconva

What??? I called a Buick dealer, talked to the service manager and he said all I needed was a long extension for the socket wrench. I did have to remove the brace that goes from the fender to the radiator housing. That battery was squeezed into one tiny space but I changed it, despite bloody knuckles, scratched hands, etc. Who designs these things?

Someone who is quite sure that he will never, ever, have to repair it!

This thread is humorous, but I can see it from the other side too.

My family owned an auto salvage business for about 60 years. I pretty much grew up there, working weekends and school vacations. Even after I went into another field full time, I helped out on my days off.

My father had a couple of fairly strict policies. He preferred to deal with body shops, garages, and dealers. He tried to avoid selling to the DIY crowd unless he knew the customer. A lot of DIY customers liked to diagnose by parts replacement. So, if they thought it was the alternator, they'd buy one. When it turned out not to be, they wanted a refund. Same with starters and most other electrical parts.

His policy was to offer a replacement parts, not a cash refund.

He had a sign over the counter that said, "Our parts are guaranteed not to be defective. They are not guaranteed to fix your problem."

Another trick that customers tried to pull was to claim that the competition down the road had the same part for $10.00 less. Which was a lot of money back then. Dad would kindly suggest that they customer buy it from them since he couldn't match the price. They'd then confess that the competition didn't actually have the part in stock. To which he'd reply that the next time he was out of stock the customer could have all he wanted free.

No wonder I hated retail.

The funniest, and it's only funny if you have warped sense of humor like mine, was a guy who wanted a used part for a brand new Hyundai. This was about 3 months after the brand was introduced in the US, so no one had used parts. The guy wouldn't listen, swore, yelled, accused of of being racists, and then go into his car and peeled out of the driveway. Right into a telephone pole.

Herknav · #60 04-07-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jframe

Fortunately, I DO know that factory parts are superior.

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.

GaryS · #61 04-07-2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herknav

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 · #62 04-07-2012, 05:34 PM

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 · #63 04-07-2012, 05:47 PM

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 · #64 04-07-2012, 06:22 PM

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 · #65 04-07-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

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 · #66 04-07-2012, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryS

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 · #67 04-07-2012, 09:19 PM

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

joespapa · #68 04-07-2012, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeChuck

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 · #69 04-07-2012, 11:34 PM

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 · #70 04-08-2012, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWFAN

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 · #71 04-08-2012, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

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 · #72 04-08-2012, 02:22 AM

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 · #73 04-08-2012, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herknav

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 · #74 04-08-2012, 11:00 AM

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 · #75 04-08-2012, 06:22 PM

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 · #76 05-01-2013, 07:40 PM

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 · #77 05-01-2013, 08:47 PM

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 · #78 05-01-2013, 08:56 PM

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 · #79 05-01-2013, 09:22 PM

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

TAROMAN · #80 05-01-2013, 09:29 PM

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.

Airpark · #81 05-01-2013, 09:48 PM

Guys it ain't just the auto parts stores.

I went into a local plumbing parrts store and asked for a specific part and the guy looked at me very funny and said (and I ain't lying),

"What the H... is that...I am a PHD and I sell plumbing parts because I have to and you expect me to know what all this stuff is??"

I went there because they have parts for every piece of plumbing known to man...this guy did not.

I left without the part.

ditrina · #82 05-01-2013, 10:05 PM

Yup.. were done....