I had an experience like #99 in an Advance Auto Parts. My buddy's race car needed a starter. It was after hours at the parts store I usually go to, so we went to AAP. I went to the counter and asked for a starter for a small block Chevy with a 153 tooth flywheel. Absolute deer in the headlights look. After going back and forth about what it went in, and why it didn't matter, I finally hit him with: "It is a 1994 TEO Pro Car". He just looked at me and mumbled that he didn't know what that was. When I told him it was a DIRT Modified, he really lost his grasp on reality and descended into total confusion. "Here, let me make it easy for you", I said. "1970 Camaro, 350, four speed with a 10 1/2 inch clutch, high torque starter". After he poked around for five minutes he finally found what we needed. If H&T Auto Parts was open, Johnny would have just turned around and pulled what we needed off of the shelf without even having to open a book. Real parts guys are a rarity anymore. All we have are kids with computers, that don't even work on cars, asking how many headlights your ride has.
Same with appliance stores. In the city I live in, we used to have an appliance parts store. You walk in with the part that needed replacing in your hand and guy behind the counter looks at it, says I'll be right back and after a minute or two comes back with a new one. You paid cash only. On Sat. morning the line of men(yes men, only) waiting their turn at the counter stretched around the building. Alas, the owner died and no one stepped up to replace him.
Years ago I went to the local appliance to get a bet and tensioner for my dryer. I had the old parts and the make/model on a piece of paper. Layed them on the counter. Old guy behind the counter is on the phone. Takes one look, walks in the back, comes out with a kit in a bag. Writes up a receipt and hands it to me. I fish out the money about the time he hands up. I asked him, you dont need the make or model? He says its a GE from the 70s.
Owned an auto parts store in a rural area we knew most of our customers and what they needed and had racks and racks of parts books and service manuals. The big brand stores opened but they only had part finder screens and mostly no talent counter men. We were solid until the farmers and hotels went bust.
Nice legs on 1, nice undercarriage on 5, hi Bill, nice scarlet fever on 52, nice profeel on 56, nice provocative on 65, nice "You sure you want to go to work today?" on 71, 83.
A fine morning Doc
ReplyDeleteI had an experience like #99 in an Advance Auto Parts. My buddy's race car needed a starter. It was after hours at the parts store I usually go to, so we went to AAP. I went to the counter and asked for a starter for a small block Chevy with a 153 tooth flywheel.
ReplyDeleteAbsolute deer in the headlights look.
After going back and forth about what it went in, and why it didn't matter, I finally hit him with: "It is a 1994 TEO Pro Car".
He just looked at me and mumbled that he didn't know what that was. When I told him it was a DIRT Modified, he really lost his grasp on reality and descended into total confusion.
"Here, let me make it easy for you", I said. "1970 Camaro, 350, four speed with a 10 1/2 inch clutch, high torque starter".
After he poked around for five minutes he finally found what we needed.
If H&T Auto Parts was open, Johnny would have just turned around and pulled what we needed off of the shelf without even having to open a book. Real parts guys are a rarity anymore. All we have are kids with computers, that don't even work on cars, asking how many headlights your ride has.
Leigh
Whitehall, NY
Same with appliance stores. In the city I live in, we used to have an appliance parts store. You walk in with the part that needed replacing in your hand and guy behind the counter looks at it, says I'll be right back and after a minute or two comes back with a new one. You paid cash only. On Sat. morning the line of men(yes men, only) waiting their turn at the counter stretched around the building. Alas, the owner died and no one stepped up to replace him.
DeleteNemo
Years ago I went to the local appliance to get a bet and tensioner for my dryer. I had the old parts and the make/model on a piece of paper. Layed them on the counter. Old guy behind the counter is on the phone. Takes one look, walks in the back, comes out with a kit in a bag. Writes up a receipt and hands it to me. I fish out the money about the time he hands up. I asked him, you dont need the make or model? He says its a GE from the 70s.
DeleteYou gotta love the skill of old timers...
DeleteMorning, doc, another excellent compilation, thank you.
ReplyDelete#48): Kol Nidrei
ReplyDeleteThanks, Doc.
ReplyDeleteKarl
Owned an auto parts store in a rural area we knew most of our customers and what they needed and had racks and racks of parts books and service manuals. The big brand stores opened but they only had part finder screens and mostly no talent counter men. We were solid until the farmers and hotels went bust.
ReplyDeleteThanks doc.
ReplyDeleteNice legs on 1, nice undercarriage on 5, hi Bill, nice scarlet fever on 52, nice profeel on 56, nice provocative on 65, nice "You sure you want to go to work today?" on 71, 83.
ReplyDelete