Parts-Store Customer Service

[cburwell]

Is it just me or is the customer service at most parts stores horrible?

The air conditioning in my Sentra has not worked in a while. It probably only needs a recharge, but I have been thinking of removing it so this gave me a bit more motivation. Since I have UR pullies, I went ahead and figured out about the length of the belt I needed. Since my current belt is a Goodyear gatorback, I even went and got the part number of a belt that was close enough. Here is what I encountered.

Pepboys: Usually Pepboys is only for cleaning supplies, spark plugs, and dumping old oil. I figured I had most of the information, so my experience wouldn't be too bad. I had the old belt with me as well as the part number for the goodyear belt. The guy looked at me like I was weird but finally came back with a generic belt that may have been right length wise but was only about 1/4" in girth (I needed one that was 1/2"-3/4"). I asked him if he had anything wider. He told me no. He then said to go to K&G speedshop because they do "performance stuff", and then he added that most people remove the A/C for more power and not because it doesn't work anymore (I made the mistake of telling him this earlier when he looked puzzled as to why I would want a shorter belt).

K&G: They didn't have any belts there, but the guy behind the counter (Lynn was his name) was more then helpful. He showed me how to read the part number (which I knew) and basically said Pepboys was full of idiots (my words, not his). He then told me to try NAPA up the street because they tend to be more helpful.

NAPA: This guy was in the store with his buddy and neither of them seemed like they wanted to be there (welcome to the workforce). He went in the back for 30 seconds to a minute and came back saying he only had 41" and up. I only dealt with this guy for maybe two minutes, but my impression of him was bad.

AutoZone: At this point I was done driving all around and dealing with people that didn't want to help me. I called the AutoZone close to me and gave him the Goodyear part number. He came back and said "you has to order it". I said "OK", and before I could even get out the "Thank You" he hung up.

More and more I'm being reminded of why I go online for most of my needs. It's not that it's cheaper (in some cases it is), it's that I don't want to deal with pushy sales people or rude people. I've had retail jobs that I didn't necessarily enjoy, but I tried my best not to convey that in my attitude to the customers.

I'm sure other people have had similar experiences.

[Honest_Bob]

Yeah, I find it easier to order everything online. Its worth the 2-3 day wait as long as you arent desperate. You end up spending more time and gas to find one thing. Its depressing.

[88TSI_Rob]

Yeah, I have had similar experiences. My favorite parts store right now is the Advanced Auto in Quakertown. They have a lot of parts in stock and there is parts guy there that has been very helpful to me. It's about 10mi out of my way to go to that store, but I have never left disappointed so to me it's worth trip.

[lownslow95]

if you lived around east windsor, new jersey, i am sure the boys at the advance auto parts right off of 571 & princeton-hightstown road would help you their. i should know, i am one of the sales people behind the counter. most of the guys their are really helpful and know what they are talking about. they usually have most of the parts in stock, and probably even the belt that you were looking for. you would just have to watch out for this old fat guy joe...he is just a grumpy **** when it comes to things. but every one else their is knowledgable (sp) things. most of them are car guys, they all have nicely modded cars ranging from an 05 black STi, 98 cobra w/ svo side skirts w/ side exit exhaust, and a sentra se-r, and a some what bone stock cobalt ss. they are all helpfull in what they do and they know what they are talking about.

[ScubaSteve]

Parts stores are fine aslong as you tell the people working there exactly what you want and what they should do. Otherwise they just **** everything up.

[ThePrimerSuspect]

autozone near my old house was pretty good. the guys there knew what they were talking about, and they knew me and know that i know what im talking about. then you get these assholes that get hired and think they know everything. i had one girl flat out tell me that what i wanted to do wouldnt work and i had no idea what i was doing. because she went to lincoln tech for six weeks and is better than me i guess.

[TurboDSMJ]

What length do you need. (Works at Pep Boy's.)

[lownslow95]

pep boy's is only good if you want to by an atv

[dragonfly2k3]

The problem with alot of parts stores is the people behind the counter arent very knowledgable. I should know, i work at the manheim advance. See, alot of my co-workers think that just because something is the OEM replacement than it wont work. With the part number and info he should have been able to dig up that belt in <45 seconds.

[cburwell]

Originally Posted by TurboDSMJ

What length do you need. (Works at Pep Boy's.)

I needed a 6 rub belt with a 29.5" length. I ended up ordering the Gatorback 4060295 from Autozone's website.

[cburwell]

Originally Posted by dragonfly2k3

The problem with alot of parts stores is the people behind the counter arent very knowledgable. I should know, i work at the manheim advance. See, alot of my co-workers think that just because something is the OEM replacement than it wont work. With the part number and info he should have been able to dig up that belt in <45 seconds.

I don't really think he wanted to put the time into that. He tried looking in the computer to find the OEM belt for my car without A/C. I tired to tell him I this motor didn't come without A/C and that I needed a smaller belt because of the pulley.

Oh well, now I know better. At least I didn't go to Pep Boys (like I had originally planned) when I needed an alternator!

[Im2Slow]

internet shopping killed the retail store salesman

[cburwell]

Originally Posted by Im2Slow

internet shopping killed the retail store salesman

It put a hurting on the retail store's bottom line, which forced them to cut "spiffs", then it drove them to cut costs/pay, which lead to the experience salespeople to leave and the younger (and cheaper) kids to get their jobs. All this because of Al Gore's invention!

[240sxDann]

This may sound like a commercial, but at my advance auto (as in, the one I work at), everybody gets very good customer service. Just to let you guys know, we can get damn near anything. From turbos, to lifts. Ever salvage yard parts.

[lownslow95]

Originally Posted by 240sxDann

This may sound like a commercial, but at my advance auto (as in, the one I work at), everybody gets very good customer service. Just to let you guys know, we can get damn near anything. From turbos, to lifts. Ever salvage yard parts.

yeah, thats the one thing i like working their. you can get just about anything you can imagine for your car. i didn't know advance auto existed until i started working their. pay is great and the guys i work for are cool. its a nice work enviroment.

[den9]

Originally Posted by 96integraLS

pep boy's is only good if you want to by an atv

or hyundai or kawasaki cordless tools, hummer bbq grills, microwaves or mini fridges

[lownslow95]

Originally Posted by den9

or hyundai or kawasaki cordless tools, hummer bbq grills, microwaves or mini fridges

they are good for generators though

[ImportDPS]

Check out Gates Racing. They might have the belt size your looking for. If you find a part # that matches, let me know and ill get you a inventory and price check.

[Nors]

Autozone on baltimore pike (Clifton), or any auto store in Upper Darby are the worst ever.

[TrboChicsRock]

Carquest brand belts are made by Gates. So if you go on Gates website and find a size they make you get one from Carquest. I ran into this problem with my pulleys on my Eclipse with no A/C. Carquest had the sizes I needed in stock.