He's talking about the ones smaller than that. They should only be a $1 and change each at most, lol.
Auto Parts Store Rant
- Thread starter CHRIS.O
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PC74's are $2.99 at my store.Oldsmoletick said:
People don't understand the knowledge needed to work at an auto parts store ... a parts guy at a dealership is expected to know things about 1 specific vehicle manufacture. A counter person at an auto parts store is expected to know everything about every make of car :idea: I am by no means saying there are not plenty of idiots working in parts stores ... but there are also plenty of idiots working on cars :!:
To touch on the RX-7 valve cover gasket ... I have never touched an RX-7 and no nothing about them. All I know is that they have some rotary engine. I wouldn't know they wouldn't have a valve cover gasket.
I'm sure it's like any other industry. There are a few that are knowledgeable and helpful, a few that are one or the other, and a majority that are neither. There are 2 stores in my area that I have accounts with and deal almost exclusively with. I have "a guy" at each store. My "guy" may change over the years because he moves on but it helps to have a relationship with one (maybe 2) person(s). You begin to understand each other and the result is better service. I prefer a new guy who is green but willing to try over a veteran who doesn't care. Some stores have a guy that deals exclusively with shops/commercial customers. That's the guy you want. They speak the language.
As a general rule I avoid Auto Zone, Knechts, O'reileys, etc. because they have a fast food mentality. In a pinch, I'll occasionally buy commodities like spray paint, bulbs, filters because they may be open later than "my" stores but I don't buy parts there. Too frustrating. In many cases the parts from store to store may be reboxed from the same manufacturer so it's not even a matter of quality or even price.
I've been using Rockauto when I can for the last year or so. They ship fast, the prices are great, and the only parts guy to blame is yourself. The only problem I ever had with them is a radiator that was damaged in shipping. They told me to toss it in the dumpster and I had a replacement in less than 48 hrs...absolutely no cost to me and no proof required, just a 3 minute phone call.
In defense of the counter people, I could NEVER do that job. Not because I can't look up the parts...I just don't have the patience for the slack-jawed masses. Think about this: the typical DIYer isn't a rocket scientist. If they were, they'd be paying a professional to fix their car correctly. The average customer has no business under the hood and has probably misdiagnosed it anyway. They're also the first person to badmouth the store or the brand because the new Bosch Platinums didn't fix the miss in their completely worn out and neglected 300K mile F350. "Those rip-off mechanics at the shop down the road don't know nuthin. They said it needs a valve job and a complete tune-up but this thangs built Ford tough. They just tryin to get rich off the workin man. Probly jus needs plugs. Wires never wear out and I just changed the oil." I wish I was wrong but I've overheard similar statements at the counter so many times I can't even be polite and keep a straight face anymore.
As a general rule I avoid Auto Zone, Knechts, O'reileys, etc. because they have a fast food mentality. In a pinch, I'll occasionally buy commodities like spray paint, bulbs, filters because they may be open later than "my" stores but I don't buy parts there. Too frustrating. In many cases the parts from store to store may be reboxed from the same manufacturer so it's not even a matter of quality or even price.
I've been using Rockauto when I can for the last year or so. They ship fast, the prices are great, and the only parts guy to blame is yourself. The only problem I ever had with them is a radiator that was damaged in shipping. They told me to toss it in the dumpster and I had a replacement in less than 48 hrs...absolutely no cost to me and no proof required, just a 3 minute phone call.
In defense of the counter people, I could NEVER do that job. Not because I can't look up the parts...I just don't have the patience for the slack-jawed masses. Think about this: the typical DIYer isn't a rocket scientist. If they were, they'd be paying a professional to fix their car correctly. The average customer has no business under the hood and has probably misdiagnosed it anyway. They're also the first person to badmouth the store or the brand because the new Bosch Platinums didn't fix the miss in their completely worn out and neglected 300K mile F350. "Those rip-off mechanics at the shop down the road don't know nuthin. They said it needs a valve job and a complete tune-up but this thangs built Ford tough. They just tryin to get rich off the workin man. Probly jus needs plugs. Wires never wear out and I just changed the oil." I wish I was wrong but I've overheard similar statements at the counter so many times I can't even be polite and keep a straight face anymore.
The one bad thing about places like Rock Auto and other online parts store, is they will end up putting us out of bussiness and then everybody will be belly acheing about not having a parts store to drive to for a quart of oil, or whatever they need quick :|
Hence why I try to keep all my business local........Even if it means paynig a buck or two more, or a headache every now and again 
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I hope that isn't the case. I use RA for long term projects mainly. They also have listings for parts that the local stores can't find or can't get any faster. If Napa shows a listing for a part in Denver and tells me it's 7-10 days out and they also want me to pay shipping when RA shows the same exact part at 20% less and will have it delivered to my door in 48hrs for less shipping cost, can you really blame me? For the day to day jobs, both at the shop and for side-work at home, I get my parts locally. If a buddy calls me and says,"Hey, can you do the timing belt, water pump, a tune-up and sway bar links on my Volvo V70 next month?" I may suggest he order from RA. Saves me the trouble of sourcing parts for a "buddy job", saves him some money, lets him feel involved (some people like that), plus I don't have to warranty parts I don't provide. So when he orders the wrong crank and cam seals Napa still gets my business :lol: . It's really nothing personal. It boils down to price and convenience. If the job is in front of me right now and I need the part right now...saving a couple bucks isn't that critical. On the flip side, RA is a click away and delivers to my door usually for less total cost. It all depends on the situation.
I total agree with your statement about the counterman vs. the dealership parts guy. I work for an independent shop that works on all makes and models. We "specialize" in Jeeps and Chrysler but won't turn anything away. There's been days when we've had a '07 Grand Cherokee, Alpine Tiger, '91 Corolla, Cummins pushed RV, '66 Chevelle, '04 Lincoln LS and a Farmall tractor all under the same roof. I love the variety and the fact that I learn something on every car that comes through the gate. I wouldn't have it any other way. True, I would be more "specialized" in a dealership but it's not for me. Hell, a doctor only needs to know 4 models; large male, small male, large female, small female. I don't expect any counterman to have all the answers but I do expect them to make an effort. Everyone should thrive to learn all they can about their job and do the best they can. I'm paid flat rate. I don't work - I don't eat. I have a hard time with people who are paid whether they work for it or not.
I total agree with your statement about the counterman vs. the dealership parts guy. I work for an independent shop that works on all makes and models. We "specialize" in Jeeps and Chrysler but won't turn anything away. There's been days when we've had a '07 Grand Cherokee, Alpine Tiger, '91 Corolla, Cummins pushed RV, '66 Chevelle, '04 Lincoln LS and a Farmall tractor all under the same roof. I love the variety and the fact that I learn something on every car that comes through the gate. I wouldn't have it any other way. True, I would be more "specialized" in a dealership but it's not for me. Hell, a doctor only needs to know 4 models; large male, small male, large female, small female. I don't expect any counterman to have all the answers but I do expect them to make an effort. Everyone should thrive to learn all they can about their job and do the best they can. I'm paid flat rate. I don't work - I don't eat. I have a hard time with people who are paid whether they work for it or not.
RITTER said:
Not entirely true, I still have garages call me to look up parts for brand x vehicles even though I'm brand y dealer :lol: ,(I can't tell em no they've been my customers for over 10 years now, lol).
Hey I was just at the parts store and I remember buying a gas cap for like $2.50 back in 04 and a locking gas cap for $6-8 a few years after that today the regular gas cap was $8.50. Whats with these bullshit prices $8.50 - really? Thats more than an hours minimum wage most states. I needed a gas canister too so I bought one and it was $8.50 too - used to be like FIVE BUCKS what happened - the product had decreased in quality. Every time I went to pour gas into the tank the spring loaded mechanism malfunctioned and closed the spiggot and gas came leaking out the seams by the cap. You would think with the fancy mechanism instead of just the oldschool plastic hose that used to come w/ the gas canister it would be an improvement - not a ****ing stupid piece of sh*t that caused gasoline to spill all over my hands and made one of my knuckles bleed. **** china and **** the parts store too. What kind of world is this when the price of a gas cap translates labor wise into an hour and twenty minutes of shoveling sh*t / flipping burgers/ waiting tables God damn it am I enraged right now
Oldsmoletick said:
I worked for Advance for a few years myself at the end of the '90's. Those paper catalogs were used constantly for cross referencing (especially bearings), looking up spring rates and all kinds of odd things. There was a fairly big circle track and demo derby crowd nearby so the electronic catalog was often useless.
I will admit though, I loved that PDQ system! I had a lot of fun working there and really liked helping people. I delivered to the commercial accounts for awhile too. The money just wasn't good enough to stay....at least not for all the responsibilities I had on the plate.
I've spent half my life working in the auto industry. I worked as a tech apprentice, then switched to a dealership parts dept. When I left the dealer, I went to work for an independent shop that works on all vehicles, along with a large amount of muscle car/exotic sports car repair.
As a tech apprentice, I was the guy needing parts. I worked at a prominent Cadillac/Olds dealer that had good parts guys. The parts guys everyone should get the pleasure of dealing with because these guys knew the product, knew that time was money, and did what they had to do to keep the shop moving.
I switched dealers when I became a parts guy. Did both wholesale and retail sales, and as someone said before you learn who the good shops and the bad shops are. You also get the pleasure of dealing with all the idiots who 'can fix it themselves.' The only real reason I left was due to some new hires taking the company in the wrong direction.... And I didnt a raise that was deserved, because frankly I was worth a hell of a lot more than what I got paid.
I am now a service advisor/parts specialist at the indy shop, and I love it. I deal with both parts stores in my town, and have there catalogs on an e-link so I can look up my own parts, and see if they have it in stock. Point, click, and they deliver. I have to call the dealer I formerly worked for on occasion to get dealer only parts, and usually like to talk to my old partner. He's a very knowledgeable guy and he taught me a lot. The guy they replaced me with.... Not so much.
I've also worked on and off for a parts store part time on the weekends. You see all kinds coming in for parts, some are easy to deal with, and some you need to recommend they shop elsewhere.
And to the guy who would call looking for non-existant parts, I still have the girl at the parts store in my town trying to get me a radiator cap for a corvair
As a tech apprentice, I was the guy needing parts. I worked at a prominent Cadillac/Olds dealer that had good parts guys. The parts guys everyone should get the pleasure of dealing with because these guys knew the product, knew that time was money, and did what they had to do to keep the shop moving.
I switched dealers when I became a parts guy. Did both wholesale and retail sales, and as someone said before you learn who the good shops and the bad shops are. You also get the pleasure of dealing with all the idiots who 'can fix it themselves.' The only real reason I left was due to some new hires taking the company in the wrong direction.... And I didnt a raise that was deserved, because frankly I was worth a hell of a lot more than what I got paid.
I am now a service advisor/parts specialist at the indy shop, and I love it. I deal with both parts stores in my town, and have there catalogs on an e-link so I can look up my own parts, and see if they have it in stock. Point, click, and they deliver. I have to call the dealer I formerly worked for on occasion to get dealer only parts, and usually like to talk to my old partner. He's a very knowledgeable guy and he taught me a lot. The guy they replaced me with.... Not so much.
I've also worked on and off for a parts store part time on the weekends. You see all kinds coming in for parts, some are easy to deal with, and some you need to recommend they shop elsewhere.
And to the guy who would call looking for non-existant parts, I still have the girl at the parts store in my town trying to get me a radiator cap for a corvair
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