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IDIOTS!!

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William said:
No offense, Tony, but you asked a <span style="font-style: italic">cashier</span>. That's the lowest position in the store, and they're there to do one thing-ring stuff up. Not help the customers or provide information about the products.

-Wm.
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William, I have had similar success or lack thereof with just about every parts place I have gone to on the north side. If they can't plug it in a computer they can't help you - from the cashier to the head parts guy. It's not just the cashiers. To me, it's the result of the PSP/XBOX/Gameboy, etc. world we live in. If it isn't on the screen - it doesn't exisit. I'd lay odds that 1 in 15 people in a library can't even tell you what the Dewey decimal system was used for or what was kept in a card catalogue.
 
Its not just the XBOX generation. Went to my local parts shop (4 Blocks ) to get new u-joints for my Spit. The Gent behind the counter used to work for our Triumph dealer back in the day and has been in the part biz for years.

He couldn't help me as there was no listing for them. said I needed to get him a good part number. Went to advanced and the kid had the part # and availibility in about 2 minutes.
 
It isn't just in auto parts, it's everywhere! The wife and I walked into a major franchise ice cream shop and ordered two banana splits, the girl behind the counter told us they couldn't make them. I asked why, so help me, this is the truth, she said, "Their not in the computer"! We almost fell over.
 
Just as well, Paul. Had they been in the computer, they would've been virtual or "Cyber-splits" anyway.
 
Ok I'll chime in. I've gone in to several stores over the years asking for a specific part. Inevitably they need to know the make and model of the car, so I'll say "1977 MGB", then they say "what make is that?", I respond "MG", they say "you mean GM - what kind of GM car?", I respond "No, it's an MG", they'll say "no you mean GM not MG, what kind of GM car is it?".

That's happened several times. One time it got into a semi-argument because the guy never heard of MG and assumed I was a complete idiot.

It has nothing to do with the "X-BOX" generation either. Half the time it's been with people clearly in their 40s-50s.
 
This is a common problem. The inability of some people to think for themselves, either through habit or corporate culture. Initiative is stifled.

I don't think that it's a bigger problem than it ever used to be, perhaps we are noticing it more because we know how easy it is to find information online and then use that information to get the job done. Not everyone thinks the way that we do, or is allowed to by their employer.

And, of course, some of them are just morons..... :wink:
 
We have two discount auto stores in our area: Advance and Autozone.

Both can be hit or miss, but more likely the guys and gals there are OK. The managers in both stores are very good.
Even though Moss was close to me (until recently) I buy more Brit parts at these places than Moss. Almost all the rebuild parts for my MGB engine came from Autozone.

Considering what these folks get paid, I have no complaints. I *do* feel bad that they've pushed the smaller auto parts stores out of business

I've never had a problem with MG or Austin Healey parts.

Sometimes they'll ask for the year and make of vehicle and I'll just say:

<span style="font-style: italic">"Don't ask.....here's the part number of the fan belt (or whatever) that I need."</span>

And usually they'll say, <span style="font-style: italic">"Oh, you're one of *those* guys!" </span>and laugh.

There *is* one older guy in Autozone who wears a dress, but actually, he's pretty competant
(and, at any rate, this is New Jersey....it would take a *lot* more than that to bother us
grin.gif
)
 
PAUL161 said:
It isn't just in auto parts, it's everywhere! The wife and I walked into a major franchise ice cream shop and ordered two banana splits, the girl behind the counter told us they couldn't make them. I asked why, so help me, this is the truth, she said, "Their not in the computer"! We almost fell over.
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Was it on the menu? I wouldn't assume a restaurant would make whatever I wanted if they didn't offer it.
 
I frequent a Thai restaurant here and requested "Goa-teo" (a noodle soup) on my first visit. Not on the menu... they were quite pleased to bring me a beautiful big bowl of it. Now when I go in, it's almost a joke as anyone else is asked for their order and I am presumed to want the soup.
...with chopsticks. :wink:
 
I spent a year in Thailand (courtesy of the US Army), and they rarely used chop sticks. The most used utensils were the fork and spoon...I probably should have said spoon and fork! :laugh:
 
Spoons and chopsticks where I was. My "year" was in Ubon. TDY'd all over, tho. Rarely saw forks except in Bangkok, and those in facy-shmancy hotels (like The President) where the round-eyes stayed. :jester:
 
You should see the looks that I get when looking for parts for my MGB/GT V8 conversion.

And...just last week I wanted to cross reference a Fram oil filter for the spin-on conversion that I got from Bob Kirk for my MGC.

I try to supply part numbers any time I visit these places.

I find NAPA and Advance to be the most helpful. O'Reilly and Autozone try, but just don't cut the mustard most of the time.
 
aeronca65t said:
<span style="font-style: italic">"Don't ask.....here's the part number of the fan belt (or whatever) that I need."</span>
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Done that too. I think some of them are so drilled into expecting the customer is completely clueless so they jump straight to cross-referencing by vehicle.

I've had them do that with spark-plugs. I'll ask for a specific plug and they won't even look before knowing the car it's for. Gee, doesn't seem like was that long ago you could just go up to a shelf and get the plugs. Now I feel like I'm in a pharmacy asking for aspirin :smile:
 
PAUL161 said:
It isn't just in auto parts, it's everywhere! The wife and I walked into a major franchise ice cream shop and ordered two banana splits, the girl behind the counter told us they couldn't make them. I asked why, so help me, this is the truth, she said, "Their not in the computer"! We almost fell over.
Click to expand...

I thought that really sounded familiar:


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One of my absolute favorite films. If it's not "on the menu" it can't be done. Unless you punch someone in the face ....
 
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