Auto Parts Store Rant

[NY87SS]

I have no rant because I now find going to any store, anywhere you will get the same thing.
I thank continuing education and the computer age for it.
Too many degreed people that can't find jobs with the degree they have so their stuck doing this stuff which is equal payback for not learning common sense and getting a degree that might actually work for them.
Then computer, ah computers, gonna make life sooo much easier and take away support positions, cost companies and offices so much less money to operate. One computer could do the job of 10 people, lesson paperwork etc.
Oh we have seen how well that worked!!
Go to the doctors office, try to get your file, call IT guy with 3 people all ready working on it then finally a older nurse comes in, asks you your name, goes to the file cabinet, pulls the paper file and leads you to see the doctor while the other ones, which now add up to 10 are still trying to bring it up on the screen.
Yeah computers saved us a bundle, NOT, they have costed companies etc much more than they paid for them, actually added jobs and they still today have hard copy file systems!!!!

 

[bill]

Try doing the job sometime if you think you can do a better job than them. It's not as easy as you think and it doesn't pay well so quit complaining. When you deal with as many *ssh*les that don't even know what kind of car they drove there in asking you for parts based on a description of what it looks like they don't even know what it is or what it's called... Or they're going by what a friend of their cousins' friend who used to be a mechanic said it probably but without looking at it over the phone. People asking you the difference between each one of the at least 10 different fuel injector/carb cleaner fuel additives... Like what the **** man do I look like a chemist to you? Pick whichever one has a label you like best or the best price they're pretty much all the same sh*t. And full grown men asking you to change their wiper blades or light bulbs for them or put on a steering wheel cover for them because they're such inept idiots they can't figure out a task that could be done by a 4 year old. And shop owners that make tons of money giving you sh*t about the prices went up... Oh well it's called inflation buddy and the corporate headquarters sets the prices not me so take your attitude and shove it up your *ss. Then people assuming counter guys at parts stores are all morons...

With all that you kind of stop giving a sh*t pretty quick.

Amen Brother! you said it all there!!!
I love the rich farts with the BMW 7series looking for wiperblades at AZ cause they dont wanna pay 50bucks for them at the dealer.....heres a tip...dont buy the car if you cant afford WIPERS FOR IT!!!

Or the nimrod who has put on 3 alternators and still thinks that its a bad part and wants his money back so he can go to another store....even after the old one was checked and tested good.....Real Bright bulb!
Cant blame the idiots behind the counter....blame the company...they train people for about 3hrs and then throw them out on the floor to sell....Look for a counter person than has an ASE badge...if you can find one...they usually know their stuff.

 

[bill]

I have no rant because I now find going to any store, anywhere you will get the same thing.
I thank continuing education and the computer age for it.
Too many degreed people that can't find jobs with the degree they have so their stuck doing this stuff which is equal payback for not learning common sense and getting a degree that might actually work for them.
Then computer, ah computers, gonna make life sooo much easier and take away support positions, cost companies and offices so much less money to operate. One computer could do the job of 10 people, lesson paperwork etc.
Oh we have seen how well that worked!!
Go to the doctors office, try to get your file, call IT guy with 3 people all ready working on it then finally a older nurse comes in, asks you your name, goes to the file cabinet, pulls the paper file and leads you to see the doctor while the other ones, which now add up to 10 are still trying to bring it up on the screen.
Yeah computers saved us a bundle, NOT, they have costed companies etc much more than they paid for them, actually added jobs and they still today have hard copy file systems!!!!

Go work at AZ...you will see why they have a computer system.....IT is the the MASTER. It tells you when to cut payroll, raise profits, hire, fire, when it rains, how much OT is being used, IT RUNS THE STORE!....people are just there to put the parts on the shelf and in the bag when its sold....oh yeah...and to sweep the floor and clean the sh*tter.

 

[bill]

I tell ya one thing I learned working at a parts store though. You really learn how "smart" a lot of mechanics are. It definitely reaffirms my belief that I should just do it myself and never take my car to a shop unless I know the people.

U can say that again!!!

 

[bill]

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.

you know this, I know this....but the Corporations that run these companies dont give a crap....they just want the customer to walk out that door with parts in their hand and less money in their wallets....and Checking engine codes has got to be the dumbest service offered at these places.....doesnt solve any problems and just causes more headache for the counterman....all I ever told them was .... TAKE IT TO A SHOP!!!

 

[bill]

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 :|

nah....you forgot about Walmart.....that will be the biggest autoparts retailer when all is said and done...

 

[bill]

Last post....the most frustrating thing about working at one of these places is that they dont care about how much you know....in fact...the more you know, the less they seem to value you....because you will spend too much time with the customer and not enough time doing other jobs. Working with people who know absolutely zip about a car was also a real pain in the *ss.... but the worst part was having to push crap on customers during their checkout after you spent a half hour looking up their part just so the DM could make his bonus that month... . It always made me feel like such an idiot...." do ya need some fuel injector cleaner to go with that carb kit install today?", or "how about a really cheap flashlight that might last a day or so....on sale, 2 for $5.00?"

 

[CHRIS.O]

Walmart will be the death of us haha. I hate to say it but for some automotive items I have to go to walmart. Mainly oil and shop supplies. Even the shop I worked at where I usually get deals is much more. For a while there was a local shop in town doing oil changes for 16 bucks. 5 qts of valvoline and a filter, grease everything, top everything off. I hate to take my vehicles into a shop for small things like that but I couldn't do my own oil change for that much. I was happy to give a local small outfit my business as well. I live on such a tight budget that every dollar saved actually has a huge effect on me. It sucks.

 

[RITTER]

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 :|

nah....you forgot about Walmart.....that will be the biggest autoparts retailer when all is said and done...

I will never buy my car parts at the same place that I buy my milk and sh*t paper :!:

and to touch on the ASE .... those tests have gone downhill as well. Just about anybody with a little automobile knowledge can pass them

I also tell people to go to a shop when they stop in for a check engine light. We are a parts store people. We are not a mechanic shop or service shop. If I was a mechanic I wouldn't be working for $26,000 a year as a manager in the retail business :!: Don't get me wrong ... I love working in the auto parts bussiness (wish I made more money, but I survive) I would definitely not want to be a mechanic.

I love the rich farts with the BMW 7series looking for wiperblades at AZ cause they dont wanna pay 50bucks for them at the dealer.....heres a tip...dont buy the car if you cant afford WIPERS FOR IT!!!

I still sell them the $50 Bosch set of wipers. I tell them those are the only ones that properly work :lol:

I had a guy in the other day for a light bulb for his Cadillac Escalade, $120 :!: Didn't know how to change it either

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Walmart will be the death of us haha. I hate to say it but for some automotive items I have to go to walmart. Mainly oil and shop supplies. Even the shop I worked at where I usually get deals is much more. For a while there was a local shop in town doing oil changes for 16 bucks. 5 qts of valvoline and a filter, grease everything, top everything off. I hate to take my vehicles into a shop for small things like that but I couldn't do my own oil change for that much. I was happy to give a local small outfit my business as well. I live on such a tight budget that every dollar saved actually has a huge effect on me. It sucks.

I'm not a fan of Walmart either, but it's hard to beat the price on a gallon of Castrol GTX. On another note, what's up with the price of anti-freeze now? Even before winter the price was crazy.