I almost lost my mind today at the parts store

[earthquake68]

Ok, Tiff wanted to get me new lug nuts for my slots on the Chevelle. I told her not to because I don't need them right now. Well, she got me them anyway. (She's awesome like that)

Since I didn't tell her what kind I needed, she left it up to the counter guy. Yup. Wrong ones. They were close, but instead of having a 1/2" long shoulder to go into the aluminum slots, she got ones with a 1/4" shoulder. ...No big deal, right?

I walk in to the "Zone" and this kid asks if he can help me. I show him the wrong lug nuts. (these lug nuts are stamped 7/16"x20 on every one) I said, I need to exchange these lug nuts for ones with a 1/2" reach on the shoulder. These are 1/4".

....wait for it.......

"What year, make and model car are you working on?"

Alan quietly blows a gasket and asks "WHAT????!!!!"
...Because somehow that information will help you when I want to put an aftermarket set of wheels on it. I told you I needed 7/16"X20 lug nuts with a 1/2" shoulder. Go get me some, genius!!

After about 5 minutes of this kid staring at the screen with a hopeless, blank expression on his face, the manager, (whom I know) comes out and says, "Hey Alan, whatcha' need?" I tell him and says to me, just go back in the rack and see if you can find 'em. ..."Thanks Mark."

Sheesh. Then he and junior look out in the store for a set. I didn't find anything in the back. He comes up with four! ONLY four! How many vehicles do you know of that only have four lug nuts on it? At least keep a whole set in stock.

I have to go back tomorrow morning to pick up my lug nuts.

I understand about lack of stock, but when junior asked me what the year, make and model was for a set of after market lug nuts, I wanted to strangle him. Oh, the crown jewel? After he pulled up 1964 Chevelle on his computer, he asked me, "Does that have the 3.8L in it?" Go choke yourself!

[Ms Grumpy]

It is really sad that even the "kids" they have at the parts stores don't know anything. There are so many people out of work, that have knowledge of cars, that could be in that job. But because the kid will take the job at minimum wage, they hire him. But don't these companies realize how much money they are actually costing them. Look at what you went thru Alan, think about it...the man power used to sell them to your wife (which she is a good one buying you car parts), then to help you when you came back because of the mistake. And how many customers will get frustrated with errors made by the salesperson who is supposed to know. Oh yeah, the guy doesn't need to know anything cause they just pull it up on the computer, and we all know, computers are always right.

[shadowgray396]

Thats why it is so hard to find parts for these older cars. Most of the part numbers are not easly found on a computer. You have to look up the old part in the old manuals and then you might get lucky on the computor. Most parts places will not take the time to do the research for you, That why I try to find the part number first before I go in anymore.
Sounded like you knew just what you wanted and the kid should have gone and got what you needed.

[Bdubya]

Even on newer vehicles they will ask a question that has no bearing on the part needed. Getting brakes, "does it have a/c?".

[tunes]

I never go to A--- Zone for parts because they usually don't have what I am looking for, even though their store is close to my house. The only stuff I buy there is what I can pull off the shelf, like oil or filters.

[flash]

I have an O'Reileys close to me that was an independent store before being bought by O'Reileys that they kept all the older employees that KNOW the old stuff .Theres one guy (Peanut) that is the best as he knows most of the part numbers without looking them up and he keeps trying to retire but WE(all his regulars) wont let him .He is off on Mondays so I never buy anything on mondays.