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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 09:07 AM
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Default Don't you hate it when...

Don't you hate it when you go to an auto parts store or to an oil change shop and the workers there think they know more about your car than you do? You just want to get in and get out, but they want to try to 'show off their car knowledge' by telling you what mods you should've done, etc.

Kid: That Vette has the 350 right?
Me: Well, it's a 346 technically.
Kid: Oh, you should've got the 350. They are alot faster.

This is the same place where a 17-18 y/o kid claimed to have build several Corvette 'race' motors and then proceeds to ask me what type of engine I have so he can get me the right part number for the wiper blades I came in for.

Me: I need the part number for replacement wiper blades for a C5 Corvette.
Kid: What year?
Me: 97-04, it doesn't matter really.
Kid: Well it's asking me for a year.
Me: 2003
Kid: LS1 or LS6 motor?
Me: You are looking up wiper blades correct?


Last edited by Ryan L; Jan 12, 2007 at 09:11 AM.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 09:15 AM
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And yet, you keep going back...

Here's a test for his knowledge... this always stumps the perps...

Ask him how he adjusts the throttle cable...
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 09:16 AM
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Really!!!!!!!!! Last time I needed oil Bubba told me I only needed 5qts. cause his (pos) Monte Carlo had a small block too and he only needed 5qts.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 09:20 AM
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I went in the a Chevy Dealer parts counter to get some weatherstriping and the guy was convinced that a C5 was a pickup truck!
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by wit2pz
And yet, you keep going back...
Basically. It's maybe 2 mins from my house and they are usually cheaper than the others. But I know what I need before i get there, so their 'advice' gets ignored and I continue on through my day.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 09:25 AM
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I like hearing the Morons at work tell co-workers about Vettes or any car for that matter. I didn't realize that the HHR had 500 hp bone stock! Or that the new bone stock Mustang GTs are faster than the C5 Vettes. I just listen and learn.
While I'm ranting - my local Lowe's has a bunch of kids who don't know crap about crap. Might as well ask the shiny floor questions. I'll shut up now.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 09:28 AM
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I just buy my own at the Auto store! So I don't have to go through that. Some just feel obligated to fit in I guess!

Thanks,Matt
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 10:31 AM
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Hey Ryan, you gave him a tip for all the expert advice too, right?
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 10:45 AM
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It's amazing how many people are experts in so many areas.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 11:30 AM
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Live and learn. Most of the time the "kid" behind the counter is making minimum wage, embibing on spirits and couldn't care LESS about your car. They DO WHAT THEY ARE TOLD by their management if they are told at all. Grin and bear it. BIGHANK
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Ryan L
Don't you hate it when you go to an auto parts store or to an oil change shop ........

This is the same place where a 17-18 y/o kid claimed to have build several Corvette 'race' motors and then proceeds to ask me what type of engine I have so he can get me the right part number for the wiper blades I came in for.

Me: I need the part number for replacement wiper blades for a C5 Corvette.
Kid: What year?
Me: 97-04, it doesn't matter really.
Kid: Well it's asking me for a year.
Me: 2003
Kid: LS1 or LS6 motor?
Me: You are looking up wiper blades correct?

To be fair to the "kid" ... try looking up a part like a wiper blade on line at www.napaautoparts.com and you'll see the first thing you're gonna have to enter is the Make/Model/Year/Engine before you can look up a part. You might know that the wiper blades are interchangeable between a LS1 and LS6, but the computer doesn't, but it does know that certain transmission and other parts are different.

I suspect it's programmed that way so that if you want wiper blades, a serpentine belt, and an oil filter you only have to enter the vehicle data once, not for each part. This is especially true for vehicles such as, say, a Pontiac Grand Prix, where there is a possible significant difference in the parts based on the engine.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 11:38 AM
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I think the motor on my windshield wipers is about 1/4 horsepower but if you mod it you might get that number up a bit!!
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 12:10 PM
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The auto parts kid insisted on helping select the oil for my motorcycle. I told him what I had, 04 Yamaha R1. He tried to sell me 2 stroke oil because its for motorcycles.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 12:18 PM
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They are all legends in their own minds.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by photoguy
I think the motor on my windshield wipers is about 1/4 horsepower but if you mod it you might get that number up a bit!!
Don't put wiper motor Stingers on. Serious resonance during heavy rain.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 12:34 PM
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Thats why you should always know what u are looking for when you walk in and try not to listion to much advice from them... When my mother walks in there she listions to them and they have a hay day trying to get to buy as much as possible.. when she gets home i take half of the **** back and demand my money and say thanks for giving her the lousy advice Jack!! every time
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by vettedream420
Thats why you should always know what u are looking for when you walk in and try not to listion to much advice from them... When my mother walks in there she listions to them and they have a hay day trying to get to buy as much as possible.. when she gets home i take half of the **** back and demand my money and say thanks for giving her the lousy advice Jack!! every time
And, every time you keep sending your mother for auto parts!??!
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackZ06
To be fair to the "kid" ... try looking up a part like a wiper blade on line at www.napaautoparts.com and you'll see the first thing you're gonna have to enter is the Make/Model/Year/Engine before you can look up a part. You might know that the wiper blades are interchangeable between a LS1 and LS6, but the computer doesn't, but it does know that certain transmission and other parts are different.

I suspect it's programmed that way so that if you want wiper blades, a serpentine belt, and an oil filter you only have to enter the vehicle data once, not for each part. This is especially true for vehicles such as, say, a Pontiac Grand Prix, where there is a possible significant difference in the parts based on the engine.

Well put. Like the saying goes, "the true measure of a man is how he treats those that have no value to him."
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 01:24 PM
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Having worked in one during college, I can vouch for the fact that most of the folks in there are idiots. I know I was when I started, but I tried to hide it and learn as much as possible from the knowledgable people that came in. Then I only talked about what I knew. The other guys in there would try and impress all the local guys with their "knowledge" about the cars they would be working on. There was no end to the stupid floating around in that place.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by joshscalf
I know I was when I started, but I tried to hide it and learn as much as possible from the knowledgable people that came in.
After working there for a while, I'm sure it was pretty easy to pick out who to listen to, and who to just get through the bs so you could help the next customer.
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