Went to the parts store....

db4600 · Feb 23, 2019

Earlier this week RR had some well placed words. As a kid I watched dad repurpose many things into home built Ag applications. I recall going with to the parts store and dad would ask for a tie rod end from a ?71 Buick to fix his creations and the parts guy would ask if it had AC or not. It left my young mind confused.

rrlund · Feb 23, 2019

Then you get parts guys on the other end of the spectrum. I needed a part for my Yamaha 4 wheeler one time. Jeff asked me what color it was? I told him it's blue. He said "Ah,I know which one it is.".

SweetFeet · Feb 23, 2019

Now that's a funny story... and a great meme.

Eric in IL · Feb 23, 2019

Sometimes color change denotes the year on a Yamaha. Just sayn'....

Goose · Feb 23, 2019

Seriously, back in the day we owned a '71 Olds Cutlass.

When I went to buy an alternator belt for it, the counter man asked if it had a rear window defroster. I asked, "What does a rear window defroster have to do with an alternator belt?"

Turned out, it had a lot to do with it. Cars with the rear window defroster had a smaller pulley on the alternator to spin the alternator a bit faster at idle, and required a shorter belt.

rrlund · Feb 23, 2019

This one had to do with engine size. Blue Moto 4 was 200cc I believe,yellow was 225. I hadn't had it long enough to know which one it was.

sms · Feb 23, 2019

Was a long tall older parts guy in the local Napa years ago had part numbers memorized. Many things he never looked in the book, went and got just what you needed. RIP "Shorty".

FBH44 · Feb 23, 2019

Got into a "discussion" with the parts kid at the Case-IHC dealers, I said I see you have coarse-thread nylok lock nuts here, but I need the fine thread. He was adamant, they are the same thread! I never could convince him. He's no longer there.

Traditional Farmer · Feb 23, 2019

Used to be a guy named Russell at the IH dealer in Charlottesville VA,H.M.Gleason Co. they had a long walkway thru the store to get to the parts counter.Many times Russell would
have the part on the counter you were holding before you could get back to the counter.Great old store they sold about everything and what they didn't have Charlottesville Hardware would have
it.Ch'ville Hardware had a 5 story building.

Steve@Advance · Feb 23, 2019

sms, there was one of those that worked at a local Ford dealership years ago.

At first impression, he seemed like the last person you wanted waiting on you. I believe he may have had some learning disability, definitely lacked reading skills.

But evidently he had that entire parts department memorized. I rarely saw him look in the book, (this was pre computer days). And when he did go to the books, he usually had to ask for help.

But otherwise, the instant you told him what you wanted, he was on it!

BigPapa53 · Feb 23, 2019

Sadly, in this day and time of the computer, this is what we’re left with. I’ve been a parts man for over 35 years. I started out with catalogs, legal pads, and punch cards. There weren’t that many variations back then. If you knew make, model, and year I pretty much knew what part you needed. Now, if you don’t have a VIN I may well not be able to help you and sometimes still have trouble with that. I could tell you exacty where everything in the parts room was because I put it there. Now, if the computer’s down and I can’t look up a bin location it will take a while to find it even if I know what it is. Back in the day, I had most of the part numbers committed to memory. Now, with many more numbers that are more complicated than ever and my memory capacity about peaked out, I find I have to “purge” things in order to remember new ones......

A Service Manager buddy of mine sent me this one several years ago. He did say that I was the one in the middle.....

-Scott

Royse · Feb 23, 2019

BigPapa53, for some parts I totally understand that. Like AC or not on a belt.
But when I want a 1/4 inch by 30 inch standard pre-fabbed, steel brake
line, why in the world should I have to tell them what vehicle it's for?
It's hanging right there on the wall, I can see it, but it's behind the counter.
I pointed to it and the guy still wouldn't get it for me until his manager
came over and corrected him. She at least had a clue what she was doing.
This was an AutoZone store. I don't go there unless they are the only place open.
We have two really good parts stores in town but they're closed on Sundays.
And we have an O'Reilly's too. They couldn't find me a 6V group
one battery without a part number to cross reference. :roll:

pinball · Feb 23, 2019

we have oriellys, napa and autozone . the lady that runs napa is very good. the rest are terrible. always new people and mostly younger people. I suppose the pay isn't good enough to keep good people in there. good parts stores are hard to come buy anymore.

Duner Wi · Feb 23, 2019

The Parts Man Prayer

I work behind the counter

In an autoparts store

Sometimes I'm called a genius

Sometimes I'm called much more.

I say I'm no mechanic

But when their job goes sick

Everyone comes in and asks me

What makes the damn thing tick.

I'm supposed to know the number

Of nuts and bolts and gears

For every machine ever made

For more than a hundred years.

I'm supposed to have the answer

For everything unknown

To every Tom, Dick, and Harry

For all their questions thrown.

My life would be a pleasure

And I'd grin from ear to ear

If only they would tell me

Their Model, Make, Year and VIN.

Royse · Feb 23, 2019

(quoted from post at 20:27:17 02/23/19)
The Parts Man Prayer

I work behind the counter

In an autoparts store

Sometimes I'm called a genius

Sometimes I'm called much more.

I say I'm no mechanic

But when their job goes sick

Everyone comes in and asks me

What makes the damn thing tick.

I'm supposed to know the number

Of nuts and bolts and gears

For every machine ever made

For more than a hundred years.

I'm supposed to have the answer

For everything unknown

To every Tom, Dick, and Harry

For all their questions thrown.

My life would be a pleasure

And I'd grin from ear to ear

If only they would tell me

Their Model, Make, Year and VIN.

1939-52 Ford 9N/2N/8N tractor.
1/4 x 30 in steel brake line to be used as the fuel line.
By that mantra, it still won't be found because it doesn't have a VIN.
They've told me they don't sell tractor parts too.
Yet it's hanging on the wall in plain sight.

T.R.K. · Feb 23, 2019

That reminds me. There was a sign in the small engine shop:

"Pointing to it won't help. Our computer says we don't have it."

coshoo · Feb 23, 2019

I remember Herb at the local JD dealership. He had been with the company for 40 years. I bought a JD model R or H or some single letter manure spreader, and needed a new bottom chain. He said "We have one upstairs" and dispatched a kid to go up and get it. It came down covered with cobwebs, he looked at the tag and said "That'll be 84 dollars and xx cents." A younger parts guy said "I think there's been a price adjustment on that, Herb, its in the book." Herb gave him a withering look, and said "I remember when we got this in about 30 years ago. I carried it upstairs in the old store, tripped over it for years, then carried it back down and hauled it over here when we moved to the new store. Its been upstairs here ever since. If we don't sell it to this guy, it will be here until we all die." Turned back to me and said again "That'll be 84 dollars and xx cents."

Nobody messed with Herb.

ss55 · Feb 23, 2019

Most inventory control systems were computerized by the late 1980's. It sounds like the conscensis is that no one should be hired to work behind a parts counter unless they already have twenty years of parts counter experience?

Royse · Feb 23, 2019

"It sounds like the conscensis is that no one should be hired to work behind a parts counter unless they already have twenty years of parts counter experience?"

My nephew managed a store at a parts chain for a while.
Corporate wouldn't let him hire anyone with a mechanics background.
Too much liability if they gave out advice. Right or wrong.
Any teenager that could run the computer is all they needed/wanted/hired.
But a little common sense would have went a long ways.
That was one of the reasons he left. Couldn't hire anyone with any knowledge.
Yet, they are supposed to run the diagnostic checks, test charging
systems, install all those batteries and windshield wipers folks
buy, etc. Just imagine the damage they can do with that attitude.

johnlobb · Feb 24, 2019

I remember working at a parts store in Ypsilanti, MI in the '70's and having guys coming in and asking for "a set of rings for a Buick", and "a set of plugs for a Ford".

Rodney51Cub · Feb 24, 2019

Yes we all get frustrated with the parts person behind the counter. Sometimes it is not the parts persons fault though. I replaced the alternator, battery and alternator belt on my sisters Chevy Aveo. The bearing in the alternator seized. The parts person knew it was bad. He could not process the sale until he put it on the alternator test stand so the test stand could tell computer it failed the tests. Same with the battery, they had to load test it and tell the computer it was bad. Sometimes computers do not make a persons job easier.

I am a small engine mechanic at lawn mower dealership. I am also do service writing and parts. People come in and want a part for their mower but only tell you the brand and do not have any model numbers. Sometimes I can get them the parts by their description of the dothingy. They get mad at me because they have to go get their numbers for me to look up parts. Then you get some that will come in with all the numbers.

Our local Napa is managed by a woman that worked at the local John Deere dealership before it got bought out. She is very sharp but still has to deal with computer programs to get parts. I try to have all my part numbers written down with cross references when I go in to make a purchase. It makes their job easier and I am out the door quicker.

tim s · Feb 24, 2019

Lawn mowers are about the worst to find parts for,,way too many variances.. Combines are next..If you don't know the machine and when/why changes were made you are in the dark..

BigPapa53 · Feb 24, 2019

(quoted from post at 17:36:26 02/23/19) 1939-52 Ford 9N/2N/8N tractor.
1/4 x 30 in steel brake line to be used as the fuel line.
By that mantra, it still won't be found because it doesn't have a VIN.
They've told me they don't sell tractor parts too.
Yet it's hanging on the wall in plain sight.

Welcome to our litigious society. I know some of the new crop of parts boys don’t have a clue what they’re doing, but the reaction you got is what they’re being told to do. They can’t complete a sale without putting in your vehicle info and some go so far as to require a VIN. They’re covering their liabilities.

Let’s say you buy the brake line and put it on your 8N as a fuel line. That brake line was not designed to carry fuel and that is certainly not what the manufacturer intended it to be used for. Let’s say for some reason your tractor catches fire and burns down your barn or garage. Your insurance company’s lawyer finds out you just installed that brake line. They will go after the parts store for selling you a brake line to use as a fuel line. I’m not saying it’s right, but that’s their reasoning.

-Scott

Royse · Feb 24, 2019

(quoted from post at 15:29:04 02/24/19)

(quoted from post at 17:36:26 02/23/19) 1939-52 Ford 9N/2N/8N tractor.
1/4 x 30 in steel brake line to be used as the fuel line.
By that mantra, it still won't be found because it doesn't have a VIN.
They've told me they don't sell tractor parts too.
Yet it's hanging on the wall in plain sight.

Click to expand...

Welcome to our litigious society. I know some of the new crop of parts boys don’t have a clue what they’re doing, but the reaction you got is what they’re being told to do. They can’t complete a sale without putting in your vehicle info and some go so far as to require a VIN. They’re covering their liabilities.

Let’s say you buy the brake line and put it on your 8N as a fuel line. That brake line was not designed to carry fuel and that is certainly not what the manufacturer intended it to be used for. Let’s say for some reason your tractor catches fire and burns down your barn or garage. Your insurance company’s lawyer finds out you just installed that brake line. They will go after the parts store for selling you a brake line to use as a fuel line. I’m not saying it’s right, but that’s their reasoning.

-Scott

I understand some of the reasoning. They're certainly not
punching it into the computer to find a universal replacement
part like this brake line. The computer would come back with an
OEM style replacement. Not a universal. At least in most cases.

Luckily we still have a couple good parts stores around.
In both of those stores, said brake lines are hanging on a rack
out in the store. Pick the one you want and take it to the counter.
Nobody cares what you're going to use it on, it's universal.

DMartin9N-2N · Feb 24, 2019

In our town I find O'Rileys has the most diligent counter people. The company seems to be trying to keep antique car parts on hand, at least the reasonable stuff.

As another topic, I needed to do some creative repair on a mower deck regarding studs, bolts, and so on. The counterman seemed extra helpful; it turned out he was a former millwright and machinist! super helpful!!

For tractor countermen, I think our local J. Deere has a great one. He is a former mechanic, and something that helps me is that he is an expert on Woods mowers. He followed the Woods franchise from the local Ford tractor dealer (which closed) to the Deere store.

If I find a counter person who can help a retired person like me, I try to go to them when I want to buy something.

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.

Went to the parts store....

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