Rant: Auto parts store employees can really be useless sometimes

[toolmanmike]

As I was getting my 2012 Mopar Miller lite #2 nascar ready to show, i needed new spark plugs and a new bleed screw for the hydraulic clutch as the old one was stripped, so off i went to 7 different stores, O'Reillys Autozone, Napa, Advance, all of them, more than one each of some and each time the clueless teenager at the computer and Myself's conversation went like this:

Me:"Hi there I need 8 spark plugs for a Mopar 360 Smallblock, iridium if you got it, and a new brake bleed screw thats 3/8-24 x 1 3/16 inches"
Clerk: "Um... sir let me put it in the computer what make model year is it?"
Me: "Its not in the system its a custom purpose built setup, do you have a rack with packets of different bleed screws you can point me to please by chance?"
Clerk:"Um... sir I need to get a part number from the computer to make sure I know what to get you, are you sure we cant try that?"
Me: "Ok have it your way, it's the 2012 #2 Miller Lite Nascar, original engine is on display in my garage so its got a 360 in it now, the screw actually isn't for a brake bleeder, its for a clutch, but its the same deal, same part"
Clerk: "Sir I don't really know too much about engines all i can do is look up the car and get the part number"
repeat conversation about it not being in the system...
Every time these idiots look dumbfounded that their computer system has been beat, but I bet the parts are within all the stores somewhere, they just don't know how to find them without their computer. If you don't even attempt to learn at least a little bit about these things as you go along, then maybe you shouldn't work at a car parts store.

Anyone else have to go through the Autozone Odyssey for Parts? Also nigh impossible to get plugs for my 69 charger's 440 cause the computer didn't know.

View attachment 1075580

 

[69a100]

When the dumb-**** kid can't figure out what you want, it's time to step up and demand that the Manager get your parts. Then read them the riot act for having stupid people working the counter! I've never, EVER, had a problem with any NAPA!

 

[dadsbee]

LOL... and the manager is going to say "what year, make and model is that for"...

 

[Danny Boy]

the dumb-**** kid

"the dumb=**** kid"

Manger

"Manger"

They read them

"They read them"

Hmmmm.........................

 

[JackR]

How many times before they learn that windshield wipers aren’t different if it’s a V6 or V8.

 

[ckessel]

As I am an ex parts guy, here is my input. When the store or dealership don't want to pay for knowledge, this of course applies to a lot of industry/business, you get dummies as thats all you want to pay for. Knowledgeable people command a higher wage which is offset by an increase in business and customer satisfaction. When the bean counter only looks at the bottom line and not what they get for the wage paid, you get inexperienced employees. Have you heard of" a monkey can do that/your job"? Thats a very common belief by owners or general managers[ dealership]. Why should I pay xx for you when I can pay x to this person and make more for me. Typical short sited, narrow minded view. Years ago parts stores had good counter people, usually gear heads, that knew feces from shinola and were paid decently. If you worked at a dealer the pay was even better. In 86 one guy I worked with at the Chevy/Benz dealer made over 4k a month. Big dough. Later on in life at the dealers the money was really good but that started changing when dealers got sold/merged. When I managed a body shop from 04-07, the guys I bought my Ford stuff from generally made 60-90k a year. The dealer got sold and the wages dropped in half. Some of those counter guys had been there for over 20 years. The Dodge dealer I worked at in 99-02 used to be one of the highest paying ones in the county because they were in competition with another dealer for business and counter guys. When the competition sold out[ this was just before I started working there], the wages at the other dropped like 3/4 since there was no other one to work at that paid well. Dealers got to the point where they paid marginally better than stores. At a dealer you only work with whatever brand is being sold, so you don't have to work with a wide spectrum, but the depth of what you need to know is way more than a store. I looked at the difference being a store counter guy was a short order cook and a dealer level was a Michelin chef. As far as who to steer your frustration at, I would aim it at the owner and managers as its their responsibility to hire knowledgable staff and train them. You can't just hire someone because they breath air and have a pulse and expect them to jump right in to help customers. You need to hire people with braincells and teach them skills. Its an ongoing process that doesn't stop. If all you do is show them how to look things up on the computer, without the rest of the needed skills, you get Po'd customers who won't come back. Of course the business takes care of that by firing one dummy and replacing it with another dummy.

 

[khryslerkid]

When you worked the parts counter and made commission off of what you sold you could fare out. They still paid chump change. Now days not too many outfits will pay commission.

Computers eliminate having to have knowledge or experience. Like working for any chain store, Lowes, Wal-Mart, McDonalds, all you need to do is scan the bar code on the item and the computer does the rest. Looking up parts all you do is select the make, model and year and all of the items are right in front of you.

If you eliminate the computer and have to know what you are doing then you would be paid for your knowledge and experience. Not now days. It's the world we live in.

 

[toolmanmike]

If you eliminate the computer and have to know what you are doing then you would be paid for your knowledge and experience. Not now days. It's the world we live in.

True that. With the computer program any kid that can keyboard can run the program. The management doesn't think they need to know anything about cars.

 

[ckessel]

The computer tells you a lot, but not everything. And since the programs are done by humans, there are always errors. Thats something only knowledge can overcome.

 

[khryslerkid]

The computer tells you a lot, but not everything. And since the programs are done by humans, there are always errors. Thats something only knowledge can overcome.

That's why there's problems.

 

[69a100]

"the dumb=**** kid"



"Manger"



"They read them"

Hmmmm.........................

Well? Excuse me for living Mr. Grammar Nazi!

 

[mopar 3 B]

LOL... and the manager is going to say "what year, make and model is that for"...

No he will not. He knows better.
Stuff like that only happens to those that don't bother to establish a relationship at their parts store.

 

[mopar 3 B]

So a conclusion could be drawn. We could help develop the parts person we want to deal with or keep treating them as stupid idiots. But in the end just whom is the idiot?

 

[toolmanmike]

If I am looking for a non stock part I go to Barry @ Napa. He's a motorhead and knows his business. He has been there for probably 20 years. We have a solid Napa network here with a great store and a large warehouse or two a day away. I spend a lot of my parts dollars there. The local O Reillys isn't bad either.

 

[Johnpat]

Miss the good old days going to auto parts store.
Got to know them well,they actually new their ****.

 

[cosgig]

I don’t need to go through this because Mike at the Advanced store in my town is old school, has all the books, and knows old cars inside and out.

 

[khryslerkid]

It's nothing new according to Rock Auto

 

[64fury74charger]

 

[Cookie184]

As I was getting my 2012 Mopar Miller lite #2 nascar ready to show, i needed new spark plugs and a new bleed screw for the hydraulic clutch as the old one was stripped, so off i went to 7 different stores, O'Reillys Autozone, Napa, Advance, all of them, more than one each of some and each time the clueless teenager at the computer and Myself's conversation went like this:

Me:"Hi there I need 8 spark plugs for a Mopar 360 Smallblock, iridium if you got it, and a new brake bleed screw thats 3/8-24 x 1 3/16 inches"
Clerk: "Um... sir let me put it in the computer what make model year is it?"
Me: "Its not in the system its a custom purpose built setup, do you have a rack with packets of different bleed screws you can point me to please by chance?"
Clerk:"Um... sir I need to get a part number from the computer to make sure I know what to get you, are you sure we cant try that?"
Me: "Ok have it your way, it's the 2012 #2 Miller Lite Nascar, original engine is on display in my garage so its got a 360 in it now, the screw actually isn't for a brake bleeder, its for a clutch, but its the same deal, same part"
Clerk: "Sir I don't really know too much about engines all i can do is look up the car and get the part number"
repeat conversation about it not being in the system...
Every time these idiots look dumbfounded that their computer system has been beat, but I bet the parts are within all the stores somewhere, they just don't know how to find them without their computer. If you don't even attempt to learn at least a little bit about these things as you go along, then maybe you shouldn't work at a car parts store.

Anyone else have to go through the Autozone Odyssey for Parts? Also nigh impossible to get plugs for my 69 charger's 440 cause the computer didn't know.

View attachment 1075580

SO TRUE these days!!! I started at my local parts house in '84 before computers. We had racks of cataloges and illistrated guides (picture books). Had people (dirt racers/farmers) bring in parts, put them on the counter and say I need one of these. You have to use that void area between your ears to find stuff. It is so frustrating for me to go to any parts stores these days, especially the big box retailers, they are truely cluelesss... I feel for you!! Use the old tricks "I need a radiator for my '65 beetle or I need a left handed adjustable wrench!!!! There are plenty of them..

 

[MoparDanMan]

As I was getting my 2012 Mopar Miller lite #2 nascar ready to show, i needed new spark plugs and a new bleed screw for the hydraulic clutch as the old one was stripped, so off i went to 7 different stores, O'Reillys Autozone, Napa, Advance, all of them, more than one each of some and each time the clueless teenager at the computer and Myself's conversation went like this:

Me:"Hi there I need 8 spark plugs for a Mopar 360 Smallblock, iridium if you got it, and a new brake bleed screw thats 3/8-24 x 1 3/16 inches"
Clerk: "Um... sir let me put it in the computer what make model year is it?"
Me: "Its not in the system its a custom purpose built setup, do you have a rack with packets of different bleed screws you can point me to please by chance?"
Clerk:"Um... sir I need to get a part number from the computer to make sure I know what to get you, are you sure we cant try that?"
Me: "Ok have it your way, it's the 2012 #2 Miller Lite Nascar, original engine is on display in my garage so its got a 360 in it now, the screw actually isn't for a brake bleeder, its for a clutch, but its the same deal, same part"
Clerk: "Sir I don't really know too much about engines all i can do is look up the car and get the part number"
repeat conversation about it not being in the system...
Every time these idiots look dumbfounded that their computer system has been beat, but I bet the parts are within all the stores somewhere, they just don't know how to find them without their computer. If you don't even attempt to learn at least a little bit about these things as you go along, then maybe you shouldn't work at a car parts store.

Anyone else have to go through the Autozone Odyssey for Parts? Also nigh impossible to get plugs for my 69 charger's 440 cause the computer didn't know.

View attachment 1075580

I was working on my 99 Dodge Ram and needed the brake line that goes to the rear axle. I sent my son to Advance Auto. He called me from the store and said they don't have any listings for brake lines.