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Brent Zappe

Member
I have been restoreing tractor and automobiles for some time now. What I just do not understand is that alot of people just do not get it. It gets to me when they just come to me and complain about these reasons. The quality of the part.How good was the rebuilt part done. Last but least where to find that hard to find part. Napa Parts has alot of parts that beat the competitors. They also take the time to look up in books not computers. They carry Quality parts for all machines. Try your Napa Parts delar I do and there great.
 
Glad you like your NAPA dealer, Mine tends to be arrogant, and extremely high priced. Bought a small belt for the combine A/C compressor that was twice what the dealer was asking. My shadow will never darken that door step again. If ever necessary, will use another NAPA dealer in a near by town that is still priced very high but more amiable.
 
I agree with you until 6 years ago. Local napa store had management change.

Used to walk in with a bearing, fella would take a look, go upstairs, and come back with the right bearing.

Now I goin, the kid looks on the screen for 10 minutes, nope can't find any such.

And its a common bearing.

He did sell me 2 one time, after a lot of waiting. One was wrong. Theywere supposed to be identical, how could he get one wrong?

I see a sign on the napa store now, they no longer accept checks. While I'm not in the Stone Age, often is the time I only have my checkbook with me when I'm farming, no I'd or billfold. When I asked about it, the fella said well no they really haven't had much problem with the no check deal....

We all go to the other auto parts place now, they still have talented parts people. And take checks.

I believe your point is to find the good parts source place in your area, a d the talented counter folk can really find a lot of stuff for you at a good price.

And I agree with that.

As for napa specifically, it used to be, but locally things sure changed.

Paul
 
Glad you have luck there. We had one in town they couldn't look up parts in the book and acted like they were do me a favor for being there. I needed a solenoid one time they told me they didn't have it. Went home looked up there part number on the net. Went back to store and it was on the self. I never went back there again just drive an extra 20 miles to the nearest parts store. I wonder why our Napa went out of business a few years ago?
 
I priced an hydraulic filter at napa for a JD 482C forklift.It was 150 bucks.At john deere it was 49 dollars. About an hour ago I priced a water pump for a ford tractor.It was 240 dollars.
I found three on ebay for 80 bucks.
 
The one i usually deal with is in a small town, and they're great with tractor parts. Another one twenty miles away in a small city can't find it if it's not in the computer.
I think it just comes down to the individual store owner
 
Our NAPA is still pretty good, but not as good as it could be.

Kids hate books. I can't imagine why. Schools won't even be teaching out of them much longer. Sheets of paper bound together are archaic to them. The older employees will dig through book after book to try and help you, the younger employees will look at a book like it's written in a foreign language. The older employees and the manager have also called suppliers/manufacturers when I had questions they couldn't answer or desired a product that they didn't carry. If it isn't in the computer listings, most of the younger employees can't (won't) help you.

The "seasoned" employees also don't seem to want to help the newer ones anymore. I guess they see their potential replacements instead of their co-workers. I suppose they aren't "trainers" to the "trainees" either.

AG
 
I took a pair of brake rotors to have turned down. The guy did it and only had one replacement seal in stock. Of course, I needed two. I'm no fan of my local NAPA, but the three in the outlying towns are great.
 
Several years ago a bought a car that had one of the high-performance dry cell batteries in it, similar to the red top Ultima(?) ones but this one said "NAPA" on it. I took it to my local NAPA dealer when it finally gave out and he warrantied it no problems.

Fast forward about 5 years when the replacement NAPA battery quit working(this was in a dirt circle track car so it saw extreme conditions)....I took it back to the NAPA store for warranty and the same guy, who has owned the NAPA store for 30+ years, swore up and down that no way had I bought the battery there. Claimed they'd never even sold that kind of battery....hmmmm....ok....I still go there once in awhile for parts, but only when our other local parts store doesn't have what I need.
 
2 of my local NAPA stores are great---rural area
lots of tractor parts in stock, and they understand about
new import parts and will take them back if bad, even electrical.
They do know me though, returns might be different for unknown customers?
A third one nearer the city isn't so good. computer look-up only basically.
(The rural stores are also very nice guys. Dealing with real farmers, and hardcore wrenchers
has probably taught them that rudeness will be immediately, um, answered :) )

any new parts store, I walk in and ask for something.
NO car, I don't even tell them tractor. Just say I'm making something, or give them a part number. If they try to help me out to match something up, I'll return. If not, nope.
 
I notice nobody likes to shop where they use computers to locate and price parts. What is the difference, a good parts person is a good parts person no matter if they are using a crystal ball and a don't give a s@@@t guy couldn't find your part if it fell on them and then couldn't find the price. We have a local parts house in town that has gone from the best to near nothing four times in about eight years. The only difference is the personel behind the counter.
 
Brent,I also would like to add that looking for parts that are pre 1939 are a little harder than cars,and trucks,and even a Farmall M which is still being used today

jimmy
 
got to remember Napa's are locally owned franchises. so they're all a little different. Around here they are ok but prices are not. Kinda helps if you know the manager/owner to get jobber prices. Local group has 6-8 stores and there are differences even between the stores in the same family. The big one is south bend is still pretty good if you can catch one of the old timers behind the counter. Younger kids not so much... partially im sure due to experience. 2 to 3 years out of high school isn't much time and they probably haven't worked on older stuff (if anything) much.

"lady" at the local store is the worse one. Thinks she knows it all and is wrong most of the time. and is a bit rude too.
 
I have two NAPA's located about fifteen miles away. Bought a set of impact sockets, and broke my 19mm working on my discbine. Took it back to the one where I bought some brake pads (later to find out I could have gotten BETTER pads for less) and was told they didn't have individual sockets, and wouldn't replace it. Last time they get my business for anything. The other store, in Hereford, Md., was great. Guy went over and grabbed one right behind him, and said , "If it breaks again, bring it back!" I'll have to stop in there again.....
 
Food for thought......
Many parts stores use computers for several reasons. One reason is that it takes up less space then the necessary hard copies. Another is that multiple counterpersons can be looking up parts at the same time without having to purchase 2 or more sets of books. Most important is the last reason: With a computer, the store can apply the "warm body" theory. What that means is that any IDIOT with NO EXPERIENCE can actually look up a part in most cases. This brings down the pay scale, and saves a lot of expensive training of new personnel. It also opens up the available labor force to the store owner.
 
We used to have two NAPA stores nearby. I used to buy at the older store. Then one day one of their long time employees told me "you racers are a pain in the ***" (because we often bought oddball stuff). I told him I'd take my business elsewhere, and I did just that.
The 2nd local NAPA was a nightmare. Their counter people were completely inept. Not surprisingly that store closed.
After 25 or so years of not buying parts at the older store I have started buying parts there again. They have very knowledgeable help, good prices, good parts, and the guy that cost them my business for many years is gone.

I hope I never need parts bad enough to set foot in Autozone again.
I can (barely) tolerate buying at Advance Auto.
 
One more good reason, say I walk in this morning and decide I want to sell all my parts at 117% over cost in stead of 110% or what ever. Two or three clicks and the complete price structure will be changed. As a business owner really makes it nice. Also computer can be changed to keep up with changes in parts and part numbers. No way will I ever go back to books. Notice there is a group on here that seem to think is it is not looked up on a book something is wrong. Can,t figure that thinking.
 
Used to like and patronize local NAPAs for over 40 years; always knowlegible and helpful folks. One closed, 1 became Carquest (worthless), and last one is being run into the ground by the longtime owner as he eliminated costs by laying off the 2 youngsters on the counter that were very good, and now tries to run it himself with an "I"m the only game in town attitude". He"s finding out he isn"t.
 
Since a lot of my vehicles and "projects" are old or odd-ball, some of the stuff has to be shipped in from quite a few miles away, quite often taking a few days. My local NAPA now charges me for the USP charge, where my local O'Reilly store does not. Last year, I completely rebuilt the brake parts on my brother"s '71 Ford F600 and the parts from NAPA were a lot higher and I got dinged quite a few times for the special shipping costs. O'Reilly had their prices a lot cheaper and didn't charge me any shipping costs.
I also have a tractor that has a Buda engine in it. O'Reilly has helped me out tremendously, where NAPA absolutely couldn't find anything in their books.
While I realize that each store is as individual as human beings, who do you think I now go to?
 
Yea, computer are great...until the average Joe uses them against you.
How many customers have looked up the price on RockAuto before they go into your store and complain about how high priced your parts are?
 
One problem here is the NAPA stores run banker's hours. I can go to Advance Auto pretty much any time and the attitude is always better for some reason.
 
As long as I get the part I need I don't care if they look it up on a computer. But if the application I need it for is not on the computer that's where someone who knows how to use a book and cares enough to use the book comes in.

I went into the local NAPA awhile ago for a 12V to 6V ballast resistor. Counterman said "what's it on?". I said "a '41 IH M, I'm changing it over to 12V". Out came a book and in about 30 seconds he put some numbers in the computer and then went in back and came out with 3 different ones and said "which one do you want?". I picked one, paid and left. Mission accomplished.
 
(quoted from post at 13:43:30 11/13/13) I notice nobody likes to shop where they use computers to locate and price parts. What is the difference, a good parts person is a good parts person no matter if they are using a crystal ball and a don't give a s@@@t guy couldn't find your part if it fell on them and then couldn't find the price. We have a local parts house in town that has gone from the best to near nothing four times in about eight years. The only difference is the personel behind the counter.
Click to expand...

Problem there is that listing every part available from any parts store is an expensive process. Some parts chains offer over 1,000,000 parts. That's a lot of data entry. That's why some of the more obscure parts are not on the computer and have to be found in a book. It's been my experience from KY to TX to KS and MN that the parts stores with young people behind the counter are the ones most often who will look on the computer and say sorry we don't have that. Then they refuse to believe that the book has it and they can order it.

Rick
 
being that i have spent some years in the parts store the things that seperate the good stores from the not so good stores are weather or not the store chain has a full line of parts, ie anything from a lawn mower to a semi not all of it will be in the store of course, but its important that the chain has the ability to bring in the odd stuff, second is weather the employees are experienced, that means they have been in the business for decades maybe even some of that time as a line mechanic that helps, just being old isnt good if the guy was just hired last month, being around for a long time means the guy will know where to outsource for odd parts that the store doesnt handel, overnight freight from the warehouse is important it means if the warehouse doesnt have a part and knows where it is they can get it picked up, put inthe local stores regular nightly order and have it there in the morning no additional cost neither the local carquest up untill a few months ago, or napa, has ever charged me for freight on anything and ive ordered some weird stuff , the local guys got bought out by somebody who is of the new style, ie kid on the counter no experience other than aparently what size truck stack tip he can stuff under a honda, im currently seeking a tranny seal for my jubilee, the kid didnt know ford made tractors.... nice... the next thing is the ability to read , most youngsters cant, they dont have to as they grew up on computers. old school weeding thru parts books the size of most city phone books is unknown ground to them so it takes a experienced man to know what book, and where to look in it
 
Steve W. worked for my grandfather. My gpa bought a different store and sold out to Steve in 1974. My gpa was with NAPA till 1989. The changes were coming back then already. He don't got many kind words for the way buisness is done nowadays.
 
I prefer to go to a locally owned private parts store if I have the option. They carry most of what I need, but I've noticed they aren't crazy about looking odd parts up anymore, not unless you're insistent and basically advise them the part is expensive and they'll get the business. Our local NAPA has one good older guy who can measure a bearing and seems to always provide the right replacement vs his other counter staff that go to the computer and give you the wrong stuff every time. Advance Auto is a nightmare IMO. In many cases I stop at a local independent tractor repair shop and can get parts cheaper and faster through him. I can also stop at an Amish machine shop and often pick up parts right then that would require ordering elsewhere. But usually I get online and have it delivered in 2-3 days for a lot less money no matter what it is. No sales tax either.Yes. I know that hurts our locals but I simply don't have the time or the money to drive all over Gods green creation and pay 3-6x what I can order NOW and know it's on the way.

My biggest complaint with most parts stores and dealerships is still the fact the customer with money in his hand will ALWAYS take the second seat to the phone. I hate that. I know why they answer the phone, but for goodness sakes, put the guy on hold for a second and finish my sale, then play "How much, how long, have you even got one" with the phone customer.
 
Does NAPA or anyone else even publish books currently ?
Many places quit paper books all together. Or at least dropped out the really old models and when the new ones arrive at the store the old ones get tossed out.

I still keep a few old ones around they come in VERY handy.

Funny story. Our local NAPA a long time ago had some really good guys and a girl. They also had one old guy who you hoped you didn't get to wait on you ! Well as time went on and autozone and advanced popped up and the NAPA old timers were long gone. I and others now wish we at least had that one old guy we all hated back ! LOL.

Local chain now maybe just one store ? Swift auto parts still hand writes out your bills ! Theres the place for all you who hate computers behind the counter. THERE ARE NONE !!!!

Now these guys who have to wait on parts to show up and pay shipping why would you even buy local with all the discount places on the internet ? As time goes buy the local chain stores may fade off too. Like they did to the local mom & pop shops. Only time I buy local is when I don't feel like waiting a day or two and they have it in stock.
 
It's not that customers dislike the parts guys using computers or prefer they use books. It's they dislike the having to answer a bunch of often irrelevant questions so the kids at the chain stores can attempt to find a part.

I know of instances where customers have told the counter person the part number. Counter person says they have to go through the make, model, year, powertrain questions. Customer says I can show you where the are on the shelf....
Counter guy says we have to use the computer. Customer says screw it and goes to "traditional" parts store like NAPA.
 
(quoted from post at 06:34:51 11/14/13) It's not that customers dislike the parts guys using computers or prefer they use books. It's they dislike the having to answer a bunch of often irrelevant questions so the kids at the chain stores can attempt to find a part.

I know of instances where customers have told the counter person the part number. Counter person says they have to go through the make, model, year, powertrain questions. Customer says I can show you where the are on the shelf....
Counter guy says we have to use the computer. Customer says screw it and goes to "traditional" parts store like NAPA.
Click to expand...
I went to napa to find a 3 ohm 12v coil as I was converting a Sears lawn mower from the original transistor ignition and after researching on line I found they could be converted auto ign. Gained this knowledge from the lawn tractor pulling guys. The counter man brought me 3 coils and I tested them with my vom and one was 3 ohms. This guy was good because he let me test each one and decide.
Another time I needed a rear seal and bearing for a 48 chevy and he looked it up and said it will be here tomorrow after 2pm. The next day I went in and there it was.
 
I think it really depends where you are. In my kneck of the woods (central mass), there aint a whole lot of farming going on.

If I go in with a part number, I'm invariably asked "what's it for?"...

If I say something like -well, it's a 48 farmall tractor ..." I get shut down with the usual "oh, we don't sell tractor parts" more often than not.

Every now and then you'll get a guy who has a brain, and/or somebody willing to take the time to work with you and find what you need - but it's very often a waste of time.

I will say NAPA is probably the most helpful out of all the auto parts stores around here.
 
There's a "happy medium" with books vs. computers- and local NAPA has hit it. They try the computer first, and if they can't find it, they hit the books.

Lots of the complaints on here are because obscure old parts aren't computerized. You have to remember that its a business, and the computer works fine for probably 95% of the business they do- if they had to depend on us old fossils who operate obsolete equipment, they'd have gone broke years ago!
 
Thank you for your replys. I live in Riverside Ca. There is not alot of farming going on in this big town any more and times have changed to where the family own parts store are going close. I mess them alot for they where the ones who use to make fun of me when I walked in to buy parts. The computer questions always had fun with them if you knew what the part was and what it could come off of you useally got that part right.
 
I was in a chain store to get something for my truck. While I was there I asked if they sold filters for tractors. The counter guy said yes, if you know the part number. He said the cross reference info wasn't in the computer and they'd have to use the book and they didn't do that. I get my filters elsewhere.
 
Never had a problem with NAPA parts and not having a marine dealer nearby, liked their having Mercury Marine/after market parts catalogs where they can order parts for your OB engine and have them the next day.

Mark
 
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