Auto Parts Store Rant

[NY87SS]

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

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

Exactly , just something to wipe the old behind with.

Someone brought up technology changes and people getting ripped off from the not knowing.
Even with ASE certification this goes on worse today than it did before.
I can't count the number of times I have heard and seen that when a car throws a code, ASE techs and others with so called training change the piece that goes with the code. MAF code, MAF sensor and so on. I've seen dealer mechanics with patches throw parts on a car, MINE, while I stood there and watched and said that's not what the code was alluding to then call GM support and look elsewhere.

They simplified the systems which they didn't have before to give a direction to look in and it doesn't work.
Why because all this continuing education that goes on. People are taught the book is always right and don't teach reasonable deduction ( trouble shooting), common sense and finding what makes it tick. Nothing beats hands on, a good tutor then books for understanding the design principles and then the person needs mechanical aptitude and inhibits good common sense. But schools are prepping people to get ready for college and forgetting simple task management!!

 

[CHRIS.O]

But schools are prepping people to get ready for college and forgetting simple task management!!

I agree. They also fill your head full of the "you have to get a bachelors degree to do anything in life" mentality. Trouble shooting and problem solving go a long way over ART HISTORY

 

[jrm81bu]

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.

I have to say, I think I might have misread your other post that I quoted. I had read it as " I have a hard time believing that any "parts guy" can pass any ASE test". Instead of what you really typed. Thought you were trying to say that no parts guy could pass an ASE cert, when I have.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

I went to AZ a few weeks ago to price out a wiper motor. I told the guy "I need a wiper motor for a 1988 Olds Cutlass Supreme" then he proceeded to ask me "R-W-D or Four Wheel Drive?"

 

[bill]

I went to AZ a few weeks ago to price out a wiper motor. I told the guy "I need a wiper motor for a 1988 Olds Cutlass Supreme" then he proceeded to ask me "R-W-D or Four Wheel Drive?"

Only the best and the brightest ..."at your service'"....
But...considering what they pay people ... your lucky he even asked at all....

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

I went to AZ a few weeks ago to price out a wiper motor. I told the guy "I need a wiper motor for a 1988 Olds Cutlass Supreme" then he proceeded to ask me "R-W-D or Four Wheel Drive?"

Only the best and the brightest ..."at your service'"....
But...considering what they pay people ... your lucky he even asked at all....

That is true. Very, very true.

 

[RITTER]

It is so hard to find decent help for my counter positions because of the pay and the hours. It is $8/hour, 6 days a week and less than 30 hours per week.

 

[CHRIS.O]

Yea who wants to work for gas and lunch? Crap pay and hours equals crap performance out of your employee.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

It is so hard to find decent help for my counter positions because of the pay and the hours. It is $8/hour, 6 days a week and less than 30 hours per week.

That is true. I would work for that, then again I'm just a teenager with 1 bill a month. What do auto parts stores do to put you through training?

 

[Oldsmoletick]

here be compooter, search for part, tell customer no can get when you no find. Not all are that bad but seems like it's going that way....All managers are different, my training was "see that rack of books?" "that's where you will find the answers" then they showed me the layout (books and store), the rest was using a cash register.