93thunderbird
Registered User
i went to 3 diffrent parts stores and the only one who asked me if it was a "manual" or "auto" was advanced autos (does it matter what dis mod u get?) i have a 5 spd but none of the other store had the option...
93thunderbird said:i went to 3 diffrent parts stores and the only one who asked me if it was a "manual" or "auto" was advanced autos (does it matter what dis mod u get?) i have a 5 spd but none of the other store had the option...
kevenj90sc said:The way the electronic cataloging works , they guy behind the counter has to answer that question before any part numbers are displayed. So it may or may not matter but the point is he's gotta tell it something. So might as well give the computer the right information. I've been in auto parts for over 22 years (Napa) and in the old days of printed paper catalogs, I could see if it listed the same part number for both and if so wouldn't bother to ask the question. But with electronic cataloging I can't see both choices at once to see if they are the same or not. So when there's a line of customers and the phone is ringing off the hook, I ask all the questions even if I suspect it doesn't matter - - way faster than checking both choices plus if there are differences the customer usually likes to get the right part the first time
Another thing to consider -- although YOU may know what interchanges and what doesn't, the guy behind that counter (even the qualified, experienced ones) don't know every detail of every car so if they ask you a question just answer it rather than go into a long explanation of why it doesn't matter. If they ask then they are probably at least trying to get it right the first time so you don't have to come back with the wrong part. There is nothing more frustrating than having a customer tell me "it don't make any difference" when I've clearly got 2 choices of parts and if he'd just answer the questions I ask, I could sell him the right thing!.....but since he assures me it don't matter I'm forced to just 'guess', and then when he comes back 2 hours later with the wrong part it's MY fault........
Find a good locally owned parts store (not a huge chain like autozone- most NAPA stores are locally owed businesses) and a parts guy (or gal) you like dealing with, and pretty soon he'll know your car as well as you do. I've got lots of customers that I know by their first name and what kinda car they drive and since I've dealt with them for a long time I don't have to ask them every detail about their car every time they come in.
Was that a long-winded enough answer?
I work at Advance and get this ALL THE TIME! Sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes it is not.Charles Markman said:Kevenj90sc,
As another SC'er in the parts aftermarket (Carquest) Well said! If only the regular enthusiast realized how difficult our business is. Especially if you get a 'It doesn't matter' person. Personally, I stick with the paper cataloging when ever I can and the paper catalog is good, but sometimes the computer is the only choice, esp with the newest stuff, or the paper catalog is poorly arranged.
We are also a PPG dealer and nothing get me going like a person who walks in and wants 'black' or whatever for a given vehicle, when there are at least 4 choices. And then they get offended when you ask for a paint code... We are just trying to help...
Charles
"The wrong information gets you the wrong parts everytime!"
Charles Markman said:Especially if you get a 'It doesn't matter' person.