"...just go to the dealer, Man...."

[Cal_Gary]

From this past Friday: been trying to find self-etching primer to go under my 24087 soon, so I did some local searching to include stopping in a Pep Boys (yeah, I was THAT desperate). Anyway, I start with a counter gal who says, "sure, we have tons of primer-how many spray cans do you need?" So I declined, letting her know I was looking for a gallon or two, so she headed over to some Opie kind of kid who said "no, just go to the dealer, Man, that's what we tell everybody looking for paint." So I replied that I doubt they carry paint for a '54 Dodge military, and it was clear that I might as well have said "you know chocolate milk comes from brown cows..." and I'll bet he would have believed me. Anyway, I hauled it up into Salt Lake City proper in order to find an automotive paint store who actually knew what I was talking about (and provided the primer I need).

I greatly miss the old banter with my knowledgeable old part and paint suppliers from years ago: they all knew what project I was working on, what parts I'd already purchased, and their advice was free with no strings attached (sometimes they even graced me some of the smaller parts)....
Gary

[flobble]

Gary, that reminds me of when I used to go to the old NAPA store, before it was NAPA. The old timers who used to be able to look up parts in the books, that seemed to have an infinite knowledge, and wanted to figure out a solution for you. Now all we can find is snot-nosed punks who can't find their own socks unless it's on the computer! There is one guy I know at the local place that will still take the time to look something up, try to match up springs with the drawings, and if he can't find it usually knows someone who might have it. I can say that it's amusing to go into Autozone and tell them I need a part for a '61 M37. "I'm sorry but I don't find that vehicle listed on the computer, are you sure you have the right model, I don't think that exists." I just smile and say to look out the window. It usually gets an opened mouthed "wow!" everytime. sadly enough you're better off going to a designated paint store, you might pay more, but at least the guy or gal behind the counter should have the knowledge of what you need.

[Sal]

Gary. I have the same problem here. The only thing I go to any of these so called parts stores is for oil anything else I order off the Internet or by phone, Even the local Napa store doesn't have anything in stock. This past week I got 2 cans of Eastwood's Etching Primer for the bed of my M101 trailer. Hopefully I can spray it on this week if it stops raining for a few days.

Sal

[HingsingM37]

Yep, those box auto parts stores are sad. We had a new O'Reillys open up here. So I went in ready to test them and have some fun . I first asked for a WIX 51100 filter. The gal asked what it was on ? I said it fit a Chrysler Industrial engine..She looked at the other fellow behind the counter and he came over and found it in the computer. "we don't have one , we can order it $15.95" . I then asked them for a Pertronix MV161A. The girl said she never heared of Pertronix? The whole time we were standing in front of the performance shelf with Pertronix kits hanging right behind her..I am glad I still have an old time NAPA up the road with old timers at the counter. Nobody there is under 50 years of age..What I don't get is they open these O'Reillys stores where there is already an Autozone and Advanced Auto within two blocks? In this economy? mmmm..But I guess there is a pizza shop on every corner two to suit ones taste

[DJ]

To play a little devils advocate here. I know the owner of the local NAPA, and have heard his side of the story. The "Fuzzy Dice stores" have some of the more common parts for a little less money than the Real parts store. There oil and spray can stuff is cheaper there. So to save a few bucks you buy it from them. Only when you can't get it from them you go to the other guy. I buy most of my stuff from my Napa store and I've had them search for a lot of hard to find things. If you frequent your NAPA store as a last resort I don't think you can expect them to spend hours searching for you when they have regular customers wanting help.
The NAPA dealer has a hard time finding quality help because of them being your last resort store.He cannot pay large wages because he has lost a lot of business to the fuzzy dice stores. Kind of like "Wally World" eliminating the small owner operated stores.
If you have never owned a small business you have no idea the rules, regulations, taxes,reports,record keeping,inspections,insurance etc involed in running a small business.
Just another side of the story. Not trying to start a peeing match.

[Josh]

We have 7 auto parts stores in Sheboygan, and I will only shop at one.

Its a local store, called Menzers, and he is of the old school variety. Mike, Leo, and Paul behind the counter. They knwo me by name, when I walk in they go "Josh, buddy, what can we deprive you of your cash for today?? " I heard of them from all places, the Dodge dealer. When I needed the hub nut retaining washers for my rear Dana 60, I tried everywhere, then finally broke down and went to the Ddoge dealer, he didn't have them (some irony there), but he told me to try Menzers. I said "Who?" He says "If those guys dont have it, it doesn't exist" Intrigued, I went and tested his theory. 2 days later, I had my hub washers. They have had me as a loyal customer since. Same story as some of you other guys, they know what I'm working on, think its an awesome rig, and are more than happy to help me out. I know I overpay for some stuff, but, I also knwo that when my tender bits are caught in the vise trying to find a part, they will pull through.

[W_A_Watson_II]

John,

Every time you mention Sheboygan I remember my first trip there in a snow storm in the early 2000's. We flew into Milwaukee and went to puck up the rental. I had three others traveling with me, and had hoped to get a 4WD suv, but when i picked up the keys, it said Van - Astro. I told the other guys, well looks like we are in for a fun drive in this storm tonight. We got the the van and to my suprise, it was a AWD! Boy was I happy. I drove the trip in the storm with no problems, while passing others stuck and in the ditches. The next day, the town of Sheboygan had quickly cleaned things up, and all was great.

Later,
Will