After reading this thread, I'm going to have to go to my local Baxter Auto Parts, and give all the counter guys a big, sloppy kiss for Christmas.

When cruising around the isles, they leave me alone. When I approach the rear counter, they help promptly. The store closest to me is their warehouse for Washington State, so they have everything in stock right there.

When I sold the 912E to a friend, I had a long list of parts I wanted, as my friend was to fly out and drive the car back East, and I didn't want him to get stuck in West Undershirt waiting for parts along the way. Thought I'd get what I can at Baxter, and order the oddball stuff from Pelican. Baxter had everything on my list. In stock!

I worked at Schucks back in the 80s as a kid. I won all the regional contest selling the "Item of the week". I had a knack for convincing people they needed a bottle of RainX to go with their rebuilt alternator. The worst part of the job was when drunkin slobs would show up after the football game because their wife got the wrong part.

I don't mind sales staff, I remember what it's like to make minimum wage. I dislike being constantly asked to donate to causes at the grocery store check out. I get regularly abused on the phone from the public & don't care to perpetuate it.

When they ask me "would you like to make a donation to such and such" I say, "Thanks, I already did"- regardless if I have or not. I always just hope that they aren't asking me on the first day of the donation campaign and call my bluff!

I also gotta give props to the old school people who really know their stuff. There is one guy at our local big box hardware store who OWNS the doors/windows section. He is a jedi master of his section. He knows every brand, all the custom options, will tell you the real lowdown on the products, and knows every shipping truck and schedule down to the minute. All the other store employees refer to him and for good reason. He rocks at his job. It is nice finding those gems in the rough.

And STIHL dealers, I've had some good experiences with them.

I went to my local hardware store last week looking for a better rat trap. I notice some large droppings on the engine of my Civic I park out back. I had tried Peanut Butter for a couple weeks with no luck. Guy suggested I nuke a marshmallow for a few seconds then slide it on the trap. BAM, three rats in a week.

Rats just lick off the peanut butter, but have to tug on the marshmallow.

I miss local hardware and auto parts stores... we have a few around still but most have went out of business by now.

I disagree with some of HD's business models and beliefs so I try to shop at Lowes if I have to. I'm about halfway between Charlotte and Atlanta and have had friends and family who have worked for both. In general the sales associates are really annoying or totally gone it seems.

As far auto parts I'm thinking the days of autozone and advance are numbered for me. Had to by a tie rod assembly for a BMW today. Advance/Autozone wanted around $210 with tax (ever notice how close the prices are at these joints?), and they could have it here tomorrow. ******** wanted $85 for the identical part with overnight shipping. To get the part at Advance/Autozone I have to go pay up front for it, then go pick it up tomorrow. I can save $125 and not have to make two trips to the store. I'm just as capable at 'guessing' what I need via looking it up on the computer as the kid at the store so why deal with them? Most of what I need they have to order it seems... they never have the parts I want or need in stock.

I'm slightly more happy with O'rielly/Carquest/Napa. As a guy I rarely buy much other than stuff at car/hardware stores locally... just easier to order everything online aside from groceries.

I'm not really a John Boy and Billy fan, but I like Robert D. Raeford and his commentaries on life. Always liked Andy Rooney too...

I lump Oreilly's in with autozone. All the same junk. I avoid both unless I need it right now! Or for some little stuff like fuses. But again only when I don't want to wait.