I go into the local auto parts store, and since I've been in there so much I know most of the people that work there. I get helped by a guy I haven't seen before but his tag says 1st Assistant Manager, and his shirt says ASE Certified Parts Specialist so I figure that he must have just been transfered from another store and he probably knows his stuff.

So I ask him, "Can you guys get stuff from TCI?"

His answer, "Who's TCI?"

My reply, "They make Transmission parts"

Then he says, "Like what?" (this was my first warning that I might have a genius on my hands)

So I explain to him that they make transmission rebuild kits, torque converters and other transmission parts.

Then he says, "Are you sure you're talking about TCI? Because TCI is a computer company." (now I know I've got a genius here)

Then he gets out a binder that says "Engines" in large letters on the cover and starts going through it. After about a minute since he can't find any transmission stuff in there he puts it back and asks the girl near him if she knows where the transmission book is (I don't know what she does there but I've never seen her helping customers) Of course she has no idea where it is.

Now he turns to his computer asks me what kind of car it's for. I tell him it's for an 81 Corvette. Not breaking from his genius reputation he says "Are you sure it's a Corvette?" Wow, it's too bad from where we were standing you couldn't see out the window because I wanted to point to it and say "I'm not sure, it's that red car in the parking lot."

So he gets it in the computer and asks exactly what I want. I tell him I want an overhaul kit, but I already talked to someone else last week and the one in the store's computer for my car is for a TH-350, but 81s have the TH-350c transmission.

So he does his computer magic and says, "Here it is, a TH-350c $600 with a $150 core charge, whoever helped you last week didn't know what they were doing."

"Um, I want an overhaul kit, not a rebuilt transmission."

So he does some more computer magic and brings up overhaul kits, and there are two listed for the TH-350, zero for the TH-350c. Since he is the "Parts Specialist" he knows it all and he says, "This kit will work for your transmission, the TH-350 and TH-350c are the same."

Since I had some free time, and this was somewhat amusing, I told told him I'd think about that. Then I asked him what he can do as far as torque converters.

He told me, "They don't sell torque converters seprate, they come with the transmission."

"Well I've got this TCI part number that is supposed to be for just the torque converter."

He tells me to hold on a minute while he gets on the phone. On the phone he says, "Did you miss me you $*%#?" "Oh %#@& I shouldn't have said that with this Mormon kid right here" (how did he know I was one of the few Mormons in Utah?)

Anyways after he's done with the call he says, "I was right, you have to get a transmission to get a torque converter."

Now this was no longer amusing, so I thanked him for his assistance and I left in some red car.

 

Geez,
I go into the local O'chainys to see if I can get a replacement radiator for a Chevy truck I have. Well they can order it and their price is good, so I have them order me one. When I come to pick it up it has an extra water neck on the tank (some trucks have this but not after like 89 or so). Well, I'm talking to the salesperson and I ask if it came with a plug for that hole. He says "No, but you could get some pliers and pinch it shut."
Yeah, that's exactly what I want to do to seal off a pressurized water system. Just confirms my suspicion that most of the people that work at these places don't even know how cars work. :rolleyes:

 

I guess I'm lucky - have a local chain nearby (Robbins) and the people
have been there for years. The other day, I was getting a laudry list of
stuff for my beaters, when a guy came in looking for a heater system air filter.
The newest guy there looked a little puzzled, but proceeded to look it up.
Hah - they still use the books to look up parts. The guy in charge there,
who was helping me, looks over and spouts out some 6 digit number.
Well, it turns out he was right !! :yesnod:
A smile came over my face as I realized that my list of stuff was in good hands.

I only go to PepBoys if it's after 5:30 and I REALLY need it.
:seeya

 

Sounds like the one I was talking to the other day...

I went in and asked for an air cleaner for a 78 Corvette and he wanted to know if that was a honda or a toyota, because he was pretty sure that it was was honda, and they don't have air cleaners.

 

Hahahaha those stories are halarious. I get the ocassional "Yes, Hi, I need something for my 79 corvette - it's a 350" then the sales person goes "alllllright chevette..... now is that the 4 cylinder engine"

 

Just call Summit Racing or Jegs and don't cause any futher confusion to the village idiot.

 

:yesnod:

 

That is why I prefer to overpay at the local speed shop or do mail order, rather than get parts of dubious quality, sold by roaring incompetents at the lowest possible prices.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

 

I always hate it when they 'go to the computer'. :rolleyes:

 

:yesnod: You mean the ultimate stalling tactic. Last week I had the kid open one of the Haynes manuals so I could show him a picture. The worst part is I continue to go back because our business discount cuts the cost almost in half. I boycotted one store when they seemed to think I pulled the water pump off for warrantee because I had nothing better to do. Sure it got power on the tester, but that didn't make it any less broken :smash:

 

Thing is my engine is not stock although most parts will work from 'the computer' but if you put a newer LT1 or LS1 in, they would be lost. :confused:

 

Sounds like my experience at the chain parts store. Went in asked for helicoils--the parts guru asks me what make and model they are for!!?? I find out he is laid off from Nortel--a communications genius, but a car dud.

 

Had a similar problem...but I gave the parts guy the part number. I walked into the local NAPA parts store and asked for a set of CS-788-P and a RR-176 (NAPA part number for points and condenser). Without batting an eye, he went straight to the computer and asked what do they fit. When I told him a '80 Harley that's been converted from electronic ignition to an earler model with points, he immediately replied...oh we don't sell motorcycle parts.

I had to ask on the the "assistant managers" (there were 2 standing around) to go get my parts.....

:confused: :rolleyes: :confused:

 

Ya I searched for helicoils for awhile but kept getting :confused: looks so I gave up.

 

It's not just part stores that have problems with uneducated help....I just smile when those big filthy truck drivers and shop mechanics come into the oil company and walk right on by to the nearest "man" and start spouting about needing "oil"...they get turned right around and sent to me :) by the "man" who says you'll have to talk to her I can't help ya. I ask the main question of what kind do you want? What are you putting it in? The response is you know, what I got last time, oil. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Laurie

 

Thanks for the funny story. I thought I was the only person who had that happen. My local Napa is the most sarcastic place I have ever done business. I am sure it is a self-defense mechanism.
But they also have people come in who are trying to fix their vehicles but are clueless. So it works both ways. I admire your ability to take it in stride and with a sense of humor. :lol:

 

Vary????? Not by Much :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Went to local parts store yesterday. Needed an O2 sensor for the beater; a '83 Cadillac DeVille. Counter guy asks if it's an automatic or a stick...

 

The stories are endless. I've seen 40-50 year old retards asking a 16 year old kid what's wrong with their car. Oh well, that's what makes the world go around.

 

When I was driving my new 82 from it's previous home in Corpus Christi to it's new home 400 miles north to Dallas, I decided to stop at an autozone in San Antonio to get some emergency supplies -

The '82 takes 2 air cleaners for the crossfire setup, but they only carried one in stock. --- so I got that one.

Once I got home, I went to my local autozone, and guess what ? They only stock one as well!!

I guess that there are geniuses in their parts ordering department as well, huh?