Argh, cheapos trying to get autoparts store staff to be mechanics

[berettafan]

Of course with proper technique and politeness, a counter person could answer the questions and keep the line moving. I worked in a paint store as a young man and would regularly run two registers and ask folks if it was okay if I rang up another person while I was answering the questions. The person who doesn't have to wait is okay without your undivided attention and the person with the question realizes they're holding up the show and don't mind a few interruptions. Everyone gets what they need in a quick fashion keeping "most" people happy.

I like it!

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by masraum

Frankly, it bugs me a bit when they want the battery pulled/replaced or a headlight or wiper blades.

Depends on the store. The Autozone chain makes a point in all of their battery adverts that they will change it for free. Kind of hard to be mad at the customer for accepting the free service that the store advertises.

I don't know if they still do this, but Autozone also used to have the ability to print out a 'cliffs notes' version of the repair for many jobs. This was also a free service, but you had to ask for it.

On the other hand, I have seen people bold enough to ask the AZ clerk to re-clock an alternator. Most clerks don't know how, and those that do will lose their job if caught doing it for the customer.

[TimT]

I asked my friend who owns a certain shop (see sig) how the Advanced Auto, Autozones get away with basically running a basic repair service in their parking lots...

They are not registered in (at least the ones in NY) as a "repair shop" , and do they carry the requisite insurance that the state would require a legit mechanic to carry..

My friend Bill was not really to worried about Autozone.. something like customers like that are just headaches...

I wonder what happens if the Autozone guy is replacing your battery and spill a we bit of acid on your hand when he asks you to hold something out of the way.....

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Advance auto is my usual stop. Not the most knowledgable people but less likely to be rude vs napa.

One must wonder, why is the N(ever) A(ny) P(arts) A(vailable) guy always so rude...

Is it the outdated mullet providing an unprecedented sense of awesome or the sweet powder blue '92 Dakota with a rusty alternator, chain, and 3' piece of 2x10 in the back his deal...

[J P Stein]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

+1 for Baxter. They are a bit pricey, but really go out of their way.

The good thing about Baxter's is they have more than one guy that has a clue. Some real live gear heads in there.
Clueless "checkers" (ala Safeway) are a feature at most other auto part stores.
NAPA is not bad.

My latest foray into early Mustangs has forced me into these joints.
Thank God for Summit Racing.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by TimT

...how the Advanced Auto, Autozones get away with basically running a basic repair service in their parking lots...

Despite signs proclaiming, "No Repair Work Permitted in Parking Lot", the lot at my local O'Reilly's (formally Kragan's) Auto Parts is like an outdoor auto shop. I swear there are guys doing valve jobs and major rebuilds out there almost every time I pull in...usually on some POS car too. All the parking spaces are covered in oil stains and the one trash can is usually overflowing with greasy rags and discarded parts. Replacing batteries and wiper blades out in the lot is one thing, but this particular place is ridiculous.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by rcooled

Despite signs proclaiming, "No Repair Work Permitted in Parking Lot", the lot at my local O'Reilly's (formally Kragan's) Auto Parts is like an outdoor auto shop. I swear there are guys doing valve jobs and major rebuilds out there almost every time I pull in...usually on some POS car too. All the parking spaces are covered in oil stains and the one trash can is usually overflowing with greasy rags and discarded parts. Replacing batteries and wiper blades out in the lot is one thing, but this particular place is ridiculous.

I blew a brake line at the end of last summer , and had to pull into an Advance auto parts in a bad part of Pittsburgh to buy some brake fluid, to limp home. I was blown away by the scene that I saw there. There were at least 5 different people working on their cars right in the lot. One old black fellow, had tools and parts laying everywhere, and had drained anti-freeze all over the lot. He had the radiator out, and I am guessing he was doing a water pump on his f 150. Oil and fliuds everywhere, and the best part, was the half finished 40 sitting on his fender. I got my brake fluid, and got the hell out of there.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Depends on the store. The Autozone chain makes a point in all of their battery adverts that they will change it for free. Kind of hard to be mad at the customer for accepting the free service that the store advertises.

I have to admit to being guilty of this, I hate being stranded so the minute any of my cars begins to have problems starting I roll down to O'Reilly's and have them hook up their machine to tell me if it is the battery, alternator, or neither. Usually I suspect the battery because "it is about that time" and if I am right I buy the battery right there (but install it myself and hand off the old battery to be disposed of). However when I bought the Miata it started having trouble starting and I didn't know the age of the battery so I had it checked at O'Reilly's "no sir, nothing wrong with the battery or charging system", searched some more on the internet and found sometimes it is the ignition switch. Removed, cleaned, and lubed the switch... problem solved.

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Take one look at the product inside, compare and pay and walk out- you don't need to sniff it, fiddle with it, lick it, and ask more stupid questions. I hate that- you are buying replacement parts, not sampling wines.

rjp

Wha... wah... wait a minute... you don't lick test all your autoparts? And here I thought you were a professional!

Originally Posted by vash

last week i was in line waiting to buy some coffee.

the lady in front of me was just coated with some patcholie smelling ointment. the line behind me was long..the lady ordered one thing at a time..coffee..then a cookie..then a bowl of oatmeal.

the eyerolling from all those waiting in line behind her was epic. then the worst thing happens..right before the lady was about to relinquish her spot at the register, she pauses and buys a $30 gift card...people moaned. i grinned,..wtf..i was next.

she gets the card and said, "here, use this card to buy everyone in line behind me coffee until it runs out"

i was blown away..i still got my own coffee, but the lady was pretty cool and made everyone behind me feel guilty for moaning out loud.

i took it as a lesson in patience..i need a refresher or two.

Don't know about cool, or maybe a sociopath fecking with strangers heads? I observe this in a lot of stores... person gets to the register and all of a sudden "I own this space and I will take my own dam time."