Auto Parts Store Rant

[jrm81bu]

Why would anyone with an ASE cert who could get a job as a so called "tech" get a job at a parts store? 8.75 an hour isn't exactly tempting.

Some shops have really slow periods where you don't make sh*t. On the other hand you can stand to make a lot of money. Either way, turning a wrench for a living burnt me out on working on my own stuff.
Working behind the counter allows me to stay somewhere in the automotive bussiness and still enjoy my hobby. Money isn't everything but I won't work behind a counter for that kinda pay again.

 

[bill]

I dunno haha, I know a couple guys who are ASE certified at a couple parts stores and I wouldn't trust them to change my oil. They may know part function but lack the concept of how things work.

Well, it sure makes a difference when you need a part that is an odd ball or rare. The ASE parts guy will know enough to get you what you need...even if he doesnt understand the design. Thats your job....you're the mechanic.... :wink:

 

[bill]

I am old enough to remember when AZ and Advance stores were few and far between. Napa and the local auto parts stores were the best sources for parts, and the parts were good quality. But you rarely got much advice or support, at least not without some attitude. Today, any noob can go into AZ or Advance, and with the right counter person waiting on them, can gain a lot of good advice and recommendations about their repair/situation. If I had been smarter as a kid, I would have spent more time at the local Advance Auto, and learned a lot more about DIY car repair, but I didnt and made a lot of mistakes and spent a lot of money. Ideally, in a perfect world, the corporations would treat their employees better, pay them better and cater more to the DIY'ers instead of selling cheap crap that breaks or falls off your car at 50mph. In my mind, if its not related to engine, transmission, driveline, brakes, cooling, or suspension, etc, it shouldnt be sold at a auto parts store. Buy that crap at Walmart, the king of all crap stores....just my .02

 

[zjchevy1]

You do realise there are parts specific ASE tests right? The problem is certification doesn't really mean anything for a tech or parts guy.

I hold both parts certifications, along with other ASE certs. Yeah, they were easy for me, but that doesn't mean some hillrod with no experience will pass them. For me, it meant a pay raise and a larger incentive each month for each cert I hold. Training is training, too many places don't offer it and too many people don't take it when its offered to them.

 

[NY87SS]

HUM, last post removed!!

ANYONE can pass a ASE test as long as they study and have half a brain and some mechanical ability.
They offer books very much along the lines of ones for passing a GED because its that hard, er simple!

I'm sorry if this offends, but back in my day mechanics didn't need some badge on their shoulder.
And actually today a badge doesn't mean much other than I passed a test.

 

[CHRIS.O]

Well, it sure makes a difference when you need a part that is an odd ball or rare. The ASE parts guy will know enough to get you what you need...even if he doesnt understand the design. Thats your job....you're the mechanic.... :wink:

I understand what your saying. However they don't need to understand the design really but just maybe what it does? I understand there are a large amount of parts in a parts store. I've been a counterman/delivery guy. There was a lot of stuff I have never seen before or knew anything about it. I typically knew what it did though and where it fit into the scheme of things. I have to say though, I did use the "I'm not a mechanic" line a couple times though haha. Sometimes the shops didn't appreciate that

 

[zjchevy1]

HUM, last post removed!!

ANYONE can pass a ASE test as long as they study and have half a brain and some mechanical ability.
They offer books very much along the lines of ones for passing a GED because its that hard, er simple!

I'm sorry if this offends, but back in my day mechanics didn't need some badge on their shoulder.
And actually today a badge doesn't mean much other than I passed a test.

Again, I disagree. ANYONE cannot pass an ASE test, no matter if they study or not. You can't honestly think some parts store punk with no auto experience is going to pass L1 even with the study guide?

"Back in your day" mechanic's didn't need a shoulder patch, but when was "Back in the day?" ASE testing has been available since 1973. Believe it or not, technology has changed in the automotive world, and there is a difference between a technician and a mechanic. Any idiot can run a socket wrench, but how many of the people out there, or on this forum, just shotgun parts on there car trying to fix a problem? How many people actually sold parts, or repair vehicles for a living? And out of those people, how many do it well? The ones that do it well have training, whether its factory training offered to dealer line techs, training for those in independent repair shops, ASE training, or whatever. The ones who think they know it all don't need the training, and it shows in there workmanship.

 

[zjchevy1]

Well, it sure makes a difference when you need a part that is an odd ball or rare. The ASE parts guy will know enough to get you what you need...even if he doesnt understand the design. Thats your job....you're the mechanic.... :wink:

I understand what your saying. However they don't need to understand the design really but just maybe what it does? I understand there are a large amount of parts in a parts store. I've been a counterman/delivery guy. There was a lot of stuff I have never seen before or knew anything about it. I typically knew what it did though and where it fit into the scheme of things. I have to say though, I did use the "I'm not a mechanic" line a couple times though haha. Sometimes the shops didn't appreciate that

When I was in the parts business, I had to be careful with some customers and not let them know how much I knew otherwise they would call and want my help all the time. Sometimes you just gotta play stupid :wink:

 

[bill]

When I was in the parts business, I had to be careful with some customers and not let them know how much I knew otherwise they would call and want my help all the time. Sometimes you just gotta play stupid :wink:

This was my problem...I couldnt shut up when I should have. So I got a lot of calls from people who asked for me because I would walk them through the job....and it took too much of my time. But I had a lot of faithful customers because of it and I was appreciated for my efforts....so it was a double-edge sword. Nothing satisfied me more than getting a call from someone who needed their car running to make it to work the next day and helping them fix it cheaply and quickly. Shops are great, but a lot of them charge way too much to do simple jobs...and in my opinion, they cut their own throat a lot of the time.

As for comparing passing the ASE to the GED...that may be so. But, training, knowlegde, etc still makes for a more intelligent and helpful counter man/woman to deal with day in and day out. ASE was established because people were getting ripped off by mechanics at shoddy shops...and some people were dying because of work that was done by those without proper training. Unfortunately, it only takes one ASE mechanic employed to allow the shop to post an ASE MECHANIC on duty sign on the wall....

 

[bill]

And actually today a badge doesn't mean much other than I passed a test.

Sorta like most college degrees........