I hate shopping in auto part stores (vehicle, spark plug, tires)

[eddie1278]

Everytime i go in these places and ask for a certain part they start talking about stuff and trying to tell me stuff I already know. Why do these places assume everyone who goes in there doesn't know what they are doing? Mechanics shop there too.

And it's not only that half the time they don't know what they are doing. I went into advance auto parts today to pickup 1 spark plug because i bought 8 of them but misplaced one. It's a NGK V power TR55 and i even brought the plug in. Took about 10 minutes just to get a spark plug "is this going in a car?" then i had to tell him the year make and model of the car... for a friggen spark plug.

Then last month i took my truck to get the front tires balanced. They started asking me "what's it doing? etc etc" I did mine own diagnosis on the problem I simply came to them to balance the tires because i do not own a tire balancing machine to do it myself. They just assume people don't know anything and it's actually rude.

I avoid parts stores at all costs and usually order online like from rockauto but i'm not going order 1 spark plug online.

[mclasser]

That's why I rarely just walk in off the street, unless I need something misc. like washer fluid. I order online (using discount codes), come in, pick up my parts and walk out w/out the annoying chit-chat and 21 questions.

[Redraven]

I know exactly what you mean.
A couple years ago a new parts store opened here, so when a light bulb (sealed beam) burned out I thought I would give them a try. I took the old bulb (3 inch sealed beam fog light) with me, and asked the counter man for "One just like that." He immediately said "What is it out of?" I knew I was in trouble, but I said "2002 Fleeetwood Southwind motorhome."
He said "I don't have parts for those!" He didn't even bother to look at the manufacturer's part number on the back of the old bulb. If the vehicle isn't in the computer, they don't have parts for it, period!
I have never been back to that Autozone store. Why bother, they don't have ANY parts for a Class A motorhome, the counterman said so!

[eddie1278]

Forgot to say i was getting irritated with it being such a difficult deal to find a spark plug but then he finally found it.... Then i whip out the cash and figure i'm out but no... "phone number please" Felt like saying 867-5309 or 555-5555 just cause i thought i was on candid camera or something lol

[impulsivetravelerguy]

Originally Posted by eddie1278

Everytime i go in these places and ask for a certain part they start talking about stuff and trying to tell me stuff I already know. Why do these places assume everyone who goes in there doesn't know what they are doing? Mechanics shop there too.

I work in IT and sadly most people don't know what is going on. I'm almost assuming the given auto parts store is told to be "customer service" friendly which means getting the right part and not have some irate customer come back and claim they were ripped off, even though the guy behind the counter gave the customer what they said.

With that being said, I've never experienced this issue and I've got obscure parts like the fan blower resistor block. I basically told them what I needed (along with the year and make\model of my car) and they got the correct part for me without questioning me.

[impulsivetravelerguy]

Originally Posted by eddie1278

Forgot to say i was getting irritated with it being such a difficult deal to find a spark plug but then he finally found it.... Then i whip out the cash and figure i'm out but no... "phone number please" Felt like saying 867-5309 or 555-5555 just cause i thought i was on candid camera or something lol

If you have a part with any sort of warranty, give them your name and number. This saved me buying a new battery when I broke down in the middle of nowhere Iowa and my battery failed. Autozone replaced it under warranty with just my phone number and a photo ID.

[eddie1278]

Originally Posted by impulsivetravelerguy

If you have a part with any sort of warranty, give them your name and number. This saved me buying a new battery when I broke down in the middle of nowhere Iowa and my battery failed. Autozone replaced it under warranty with just my phone number and a photo ID.

I've been in auto parts stores for over 20 years it's not my first picnic but thanks

[Hemlock140]

Find a different parts store. I have 3 within 20 minutes, but have never had that problem. They just give me my part and take my money, as it should be.

[rbohm]

when buying parts, i dont mind the year make model engine size stuff, i realize that parts counter people are generally not that well educated, and have to follow computer prompts so they can get the list of parts from various manufacturers.

what i dislike is a parts person that doesnt write anything down when they know i am ordering a bunch of parts, or the manager refusing to sell me an alternator until he test my battery, and that wont happen for at least 24 hours.

i care about customer service, but i also care about getting the parts i need in a timely manner. this is why not only will i never set foot in an autozone ever again, if that company burned to the ground tomorrow, i will buy the beer to celebrate, same with jiffy lube.

[duster1979]

I used to sell parts. 99% of the people who walk in the door think that they're experts. 98% don't know their ass from a hole in the ground. So don't blame the guy at the counter, blame the 300 douchebags he's already dealt with this week.