Please, when you go to the auto parts store[rant]

[toph99]

KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR CAR. I cannot believe the amount of people that come to me and say that they want a new <enter part here> "for my 88 buick" (in place of buick, put chevy, honda etc.) And when i ask them what model it is they look at me like a deer stuck in headlights. I always dread having to ask what engine their car is equipped with, i can almost hear them saying to themselves "Why should i know this? he's the parts kid, he should know what I have in my car". I mean for stuff like headlights, wipers etc. i can understand not knowing what engine you have, but when you're asking for an oil filter, PCV valve or hell even headgaskets, i should hope that you know what motor you're working on.

One other pet peeve(petty but it bugs me) is when you're describing your car, it's year, make(and drive wheels), model, engine displacement, valvetrain(if applicable) configuration. it's a 93 honda civic, with a 1.5L SOHC I4, not a honda civic 1.5L 93.

</rant>

 

We need more swear words, greater usage of CAPS LOCK, and more urgency in your diction.

I give it a 4/10.

 

[toph99]

would a triple-somersault-backflip get me any points?

 

[Lord Evermore]

You don't need to know much about the engine to buy an oil filter. For cars that only have one type of engine, there'd only be one filter. For ones where you might have a 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder, then maybe two but you can just ask whether their car sounds like a lawnmower or a farm tractor. Or just ask if they paid for the better engine.

For everything else, I can't imagine anyone attempting to replace a headgasket without knowing enough to look it up and give you the part number they need.

 

[IamDavid]

I think you miss the whole part of your job buddy. You are the auto store employee paid to assist your guest in whatever problems they might have.. I'd like to smack some people the counter's of some stores because they act like "we" are the stupid ones because "we" don't have an entire Chilton's memorized... O'Reilly's is the worst, I won't even go there anymore.

 

[toph99]

i assist them as much as i can, but there's no way in hell i'm going to go outside in the pouring rain to look under their hood. We have a shop and techs that get paid to do this kind of stuff. You wouldn't walk into a computer store and ask for a new CPU without knowing what motherboard you had, would you? All i want is basic information so i can make sure they get the right part.

and evermore, you'd be surprised at the amount some people overestimate their abilities. A lot of times it's scary to think that some of these people risk their lives and the lives of other people on the road to save a few $(i'm talking about brake work specifically).

 

[jurzdevil]

ive been behind people in line who are like that. you can sense the parts guy getting really pissed off.

i always look up the part number online and write it down and just give that to the guy. gets me in and out faster and makes the guys job easier.

 

[toph99]

Originally posted by: jurzdevil
ive been behind people in line who are like that. you can sense the parts guy getting really pissed off.

i always look up the part number online and write it down and just give that to the guy. gets me in and out faster and makes the guys job easier.

i -ADORE- people like you. I don't mind answering questions to the best of my ability, and if i can't answer them i'll find someone who does(i can easily ask one of the techs in the shop). But some people are utterly clueless, and unwilling to learn. You are dealing with a dangerous and very expensive piece of equipment, it can't hurt to learn a bit about it(especially if you're doing the work yourself)

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: toph99
i assist them as much as i can, but there's no way in hell i'm going to go outside in the pouring rain to look under their hood. We have a shop and techs that get paid to do this kind of stuff. You wouldn't walk into a computer store and ask for a new CPU without knowing what motherboard you had, would you? All i want is basic information so i can make sure they get the right part.

and evermore, you'd be surprised at the amount some people overestimate their abilities. A lot of times it's scary to think that some of these people risk their lives and the lives of other people on the road to save a few $(i'm talking about brake work specifically).

You obviously don't work at Auto Zone. They happily, willingly and graciously offer to go outside to look at your car. They will even do free diagnostics. This is why they get my business. I don't need some little snot nose clerk getting huffy with me because I don't know what I need.

 

[Anubis]

i dont know what engine is in my car

 

[Hector13]

Originally posted by: toph99
i assist them as much as i can, but there's no way in hell i'm going to go outside in the pouring rain to look under their hood. We have a shop and techs that get paid to do this kind of stuff. You wouldn't walk into a computer store and ask for a new CPU without knowing what motherboard you had, would you? All i want is basic information so i can make sure they get the right part.

yeah. sure I would (not that I don't know what mother board I had). How is a non-techie person supposed to know what type of motherboard they have or even that they have one at all??

That is the friggen job of the tech store employee or, in this case, your job for car parts. I agree with IamDavid, the whole point of your job is to help people with figuring out what parts they need. If all you are doing is taking a part number from the customer and getting it for them (and charging a fee for this "service"), then what good are you?? Customers might as well buy stuff mail-order or off the intrenet and cut out the middle man (you, in this case). The fact that not everybody is richard petty is the only reason you have a job at all.

 

[toph99]

You obviously don't work at Auto Zone. They happily, willingly and graciously offer to go outside to look at your car. They will even do free diagnostics. This is why they get my business. I don't need some little snot nose clerk getting huffy with me because I don't know what I need.

You're right, i don't. Like i said, we have tech's that get paid for diagnostics. On a busy day when there is a lineup of people, the last thing i want, and the rest of the customers who know what parts they want, is for someone to come up and not know what it is they need, and leave it up to us to guess. If you don't know what you need, i suggest you don't work on your car. Some very basic things are needed to get you the correct part, and if you don't know what kind of engine you have you should get a professional to do the work for you.

Now i don't expect them to know every detail, of course. If they don't know if they have a single or dual groove alternator pully it's no big deal. I'm simply asking, know the year, make, model and engine of your vehicle before you go in to get parts. The rest of the customers will thank you.

We do free starter and alternator testing assuming you bring said part in so we can bench test it.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: IamDavid
I think you miss the whole part of your job buddy. You are the auto store employee paid to assist your guest in whatever problems they might have.. I'd like to smack some people the counter's of some stores because they act like "we" are the stupid ones because "we" don't have an entire Chilton's memorized... O'Reilly's is the worst, I won't even go there anymore.

Well, it's sort of like a computer user calling and saying, "Yeah, I need my computer fixed. It won't do what it's supposed to." And after 5 min. of finding out the type of computer, the OS and the version and what application isn't working, you find out they can't log in because their CAPS LOCK is on and the password is case-sensitive.

 

[FoBoT]

i need an A/C fan belt for my '98 Plymouth mini van

 

[feralkid]

You really need to get in a profession where you are kept away from people. For your own sake, and for the good of humanity.

 

[toph99]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: IamDavid
I think you miss the whole part of your job buddy. You are the auto store employee paid to assist your guest in whatever problems they might have.. I'd like to smack some people the counter's of some stores because they act like "we" are the stupid ones because "we" don't have an entire Chilton's memorized... O'Reilly's is the worst, I won't even go there anymore.

Well, it's sort of like a computer user calling and saying, "Yeah, I need my computer fixed. It won't do what it's supposed to." And after 5 min. of finding out the type of computer, the OS and the version and what application isn't working, you find out they can't log in because their CAPS LOCK is on and the password is case-sensitive.

exactly, how many times have people in tech support ranted on here about customer calls? Same deal, different application. For someone with a computer, they need the build sheet because it isn't usually visably apparent what computer they have. For a car, it's simple to count how many exhaust runners there are on the manifold. Not to mention most engine have their sizes stamped in plain, bold letters, on the valve cover or fuel rail cover(if so equipped)

You really need to get in a profession where you are kept away from people. For your own sake, and for the good of humanity.

I beg to differ. I have many customers who come to our counter and ask for me specifically, and will not deal with anyone but me.

As i said, this request is for the well being of your vehicle, and in the case of safety equipment, for the well being of the people on the road around you. I would feel pretty bad if someone caused an accident because he installed his pads, rotors, or even just didn't put his lug nuts on properly, and wouldn't have done the job himself if i had referred him to a competant mechanic.

 

[Hector13]

Originally posted by: toph99For a car, it's simple to count how many exhaust runners there are on the manifold. Not to mention most engine have their sizes stamped in plain, bold letters, on the valve cover or fuel rail cover(if so equipped)

wtf are you kidding? I don't even know what a exhaust runner is. Does that make me stupid? Again, how would a non-car person know what an exhaust runner is or that engines usually have their sizes stamped on them? Just because it is easy for you, doesn't mean other people would know these things. It's not their job to know these things; if it was, there would be no need for you or your store.

 

[Hector13]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: IamDavid
I think you miss the whole part of your job buddy. You are the auto store employee paid to assist your guest in whatever problems they might have.. I'd like to smack some people the counter's of some stores because they act like "we" are the stupid ones because "we" don't have an entire Chilton's memorized... O'Reilly's is the worst, I won't even go there anymore.

Well, it's sort of like a computer user calling and saying, "Yeah, I need my computer fixed. It won't do what it's supposed to." And after 5 min. of finding out the type of computer, the OS and the version and what application isn't working, you find out they can't log in because their CAPS LOCK is on and the password is case-sensitive.

how is it like that? the situations aren't analogous at all.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Hector13

Originally posted by: toph99For a car, it's simple to count how many exhaust runners there are on the manifold. Not to mention most engine have their sizes stamped in plain, bold letters, on the valve cover or fuel rail cover(if so equipped)

wtf are you kidding? I don't even know what a exhaust runner is. Does that make me stupid? Again, how would a non-car person know what an exhaust runner is or that engines usually have their sizes stamped on them? Just because it is easy for you, doesn't mean other people would know these things. It's not their job to know these things; if it was, there would be no need for you or your store.

Thats his point, if oyu don't know then DON'T TRY AND WORK ON YOUR CAR!!!!

I am a mechanic and sometimes I have to just smile and wait until the person is talking as they try and tell me what to do. Well its doing */*/*/ so go ahead and replace the */*/*/*/. My thing is I tell them you want me to make sure that is it first? 90% of the time they say well oh yea, but every now ans then someone juts says "NO. Replace */*/*/" so i do that, even if I know that will not fix it. They always get mad and ask me why I replaced */*/*/. And I tell them, you told me to. :disgust:

So if you don't know anything about computers, cars, etc... then don't work on them and don't act like you know what you are talking about.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Hector13

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: IamDavid
I think you miss the whole part of your job buddy. You are the auto store employee paid to assist your guest in whatever problems they might have.. I'd like to smack some people the counter's of some stores because they act like "we" are the stupid ones because "we" don't have an entire Chilton's memorized... O'Reilly's is the worst, I won't even go there anymore.

Well, it's sort of like a computer user calling and saying, "Yeah, I need my computer fixed. It won't do what it's supposed to." And after 5 min. of finding out the type of computer, the OS and the version and what application isn't working, you find out they can't log in because their CAPS LOCK is on and the password is case-sensitive.

how is it like that? the situations aren't analogous at all.

Uh....hello, McFly? They're almost the exact same situation. Ok...in my example, if the person had the case off and was wanting to add memory to his harddrive and didn't know where to start...that would be more appropriate.

But, sheesh, if you're going to work on your car (esp. something a bit more detailed than putting gas in it like changing the PCV or a head gasket, you'd darn well better know what the heck you're working on!)

 

[ohtwell]

I've had people in line ahead of me like that! It irritates the crap out of me. Makes me very thankful that I know that info about my car.


: ) Amanda

 

[Pastore]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: toph99
i assist them as much as i can, but there's no way in hell i'm going to go outside in the pouring rain to look under their hood. We have a shop and techs that get paid to do this kind of stuff. You wouldn't walk into a computer store and ask for a new CPU without knowing what motherboard you had, would you? All i want is basic information so i can make sure they get the right part.

and evermore, you'd be surprised at the amount some people overestimate their abilities. A lot of times it's scary to think that some of these people risk their lives and the lives of other people on the road to save a few $(i'm talking about brake work specifically).

You obviously don't work at Auto Zone. They happily, willingly and graciously offer to go outside to look at your car. They will even do free diagnostics. This is why they get my business. I don't need some little snot nose clerk getting huffy with me because I don't know what I need.

I was going to mention Auto Zone, I bought some wiper blades and the guy asked if I'd like him to replace them for me. I asked him if there was a charge and he said, "nope". I said knock yourself out buddy. Great place, and their employees seem halfway knowledgeable unlike the performance shop nearby. Bunch of idiot punks work there, blah.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Hector13

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: IamDavid
I think you miss the whole part of your job buddy. You are the auto store employee paid to assist your guest in whatever problems they might have.. I'd like to smack some people the counter's of some stores because they act like "we" are the stupid ones because "we" don't have an entire Chilton's memorized... O'Reilly's is the worst, I won't even go there anymore.

Well, it's sort of like a computer user calling and saying, "Yeah, I need my computer fixed. It won't do what it's supposed to." And after 5 min. of finding out the type of computer, the OS and the version and what application isn't working, you find out they can't log in because their CAPS LOCK is on and the password is case-sensitive.

how is it like that? the situations aren't analogous at all.

Uh....hello, McFly? They're almost the exact same situation. Ok...in my example, if the person had the case off and was wanting to add memory to his harddrive and didn't know where to start...that would be more appropriate.

But, sheesh, if you're going to work on your car (esp. something a bit more detailed than putting gas in it like changing the PCV or a head gasket, you'd darn well better know what the heck you're working on!)

Adding memory to the hard drive?

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: Hector13

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: IamDavid
I think you miss the whole part of your job buddy. You are the auto store employee paid to assist your guest in whatever problems they might have.. I'd like to smack some people the counter's of some stores because they act like "we" are the stupid ones because "we" don't have an entire Chilton's memorized... O'Reilly's is the worst, I won't even go there anymore.

Well, it's sort of like a computer user calling and saying, "Yeah, I need my computer fixed. It won't do what it's supposed to." And after 5 min. of finding out the type of computer, the OS and the version and what application isn't working, you find out they can't log in because their CAPS LOCK is on and the password is case-sensitive.

how is it like that? the situations aren't analogous at all.

Uh....hello, McFly? They're almost the exact same situation. Ok...in my example, if the person had the case off and was wanting to add memory to his harddrive and didn't know where to start...that would be more appropriate.

But, sheesh, if you're going to work on your car (esp. something a bit more detailed than putting gas in it like changing the PCV or a head gasket, you'd darn well better know what the heck you're working on!)

Adding memory to the hard drive?

You've never gotten that one? Being the family computer guy, I get that a lot.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: toph99
I mean for stuff like headlights, wipers etc. i can understand not knowing what engine you have, but when you're asking for an oil filter, PCV valve or hell even headgaskets, i should hope that you know what motor you're working on.

seriously, has anyone ever asked you for a headgasket without knowing what engine is in the car?