I had to laugh, while I have this 307 out I'm doing a few odds and ends to it. I needed new motor mounts so I called a few parts stores hoping someone would have them in stock so I could get it in before the rain. I got a young guy at one store whose first question was: 'what's Oldmobile?...that's GM?'. Then it took about 3 minutes to clarify that's it's a '1982 98' not a 1998. It was getting to be like an Abbott and Costello routine. I was patient though.They did have one in stock,so it was worth it. I managed to grab another at a different store.Just thought I'd share...lol.

 

Funny story for sure! Little sad in a way...

 

There are some dumb people working at auto parts stores.

 

My career as a salesman was in the Automotive Aftermarket - 32 years. It, like practically all other business in this country, it seems, had gone to hell in a handbasket. There used to be a lot of small companies, but the large ones bought up the smaller ones, and now only about 3 companies control the total aftermarket, and their business philosophy(sp) seems to be just make a buck, don't worry about training anyone, or for God's sake, knowing anything about customer service. Just a crying shame. I experienced the same type of service at a national chain the last (and final) time I was there. I go elsewhere, and drive further to get there, now; right by those idiots that don't know anything, and don't care.

 

It gets worse, I have a 455 in my 57 Super 88 and I always fight the same battles.

I ask for a fan belt for a 72 455 and the counter guy says whats the motor in. I say does it matter, He says its the only way he can look it up. I say its in a 57 Olds, he says our books don't go that far back. I say try a 72 98 with AC. He says whats a 98, this goes on a and on and on....... You get the point. Now I only deal with NAPA or Rock Auto and some times its still a struggle. Now I have build a complete parts list for the 57 and now can order by part number. much easier, but they still ask what kind of car is it in

 

I just can't resist I am in a car club and there are many types and makes of vehicles as well as custom jobs.I have my olds and that is difficult on parts.But try having a 37 dodge coupe (custom) that has a chevy 350 engine th350 trans and a mustang mach 2 frontend.Now don't get me wrong this is a decent looking vehical but he said these people at the counter glaze over when he askes for parts since it all relies on computer they go goofy.He said to me he went into a part store told the guy what he needed and said he could se the part on the shelf.But you know these places whats the car whats the engine.He said he now has a place that works with him fairly well.

 

I must be the lucky one here. I go to "ABC auto parts" to get my day to day parts. And there is a very lovely, 20's something brunette that works there that knows exactly what I need when I tell her what I need. And yes we may have to work through a few issues, but she always delivers. I guess she knows these things because she has a general knowledge of old cars. Up unitl a few weeks ago I thought the awesome '64 El Camino in the parking lot belonged to one of the guys that worked there. Nah....it's hers. Her and her dad built it....for her. If I wasn't 10 or so years older than her and married....I'd ask her out! She's gonna make some gear head a happy guy some day!

 

Haha... atleast you didnt get told "Sir you must be mistaken, there is no such thing as oldsmobile" That was at an advanced auto... I have never been back since

 

don't go to an advance auto and ask for an O type rear end gasket. after giving all the car info they bring a C type gasket. i tell them it is the wrong one and they tell me that someone changed the rear end and that it is not original. i ask if they ever heard of an O, C, or P type rear end and they look at me like i was talking rocket science. advance auto has spark plugs listed for a power stroke ford also.

 

I do believe I was there to check if they had head gaskets, putting a 350 together real quick for a circle track car, we had 1 day to get it together... an old guy at auto zone got us everything we needed. Spark plugs for a powerstroke... haha, I am sure they have spark plugs for a cummins and a duramax also...

 

i never checked. i can't remember how we found the plugs for the ford listed. at least the guy behind the counter knew that wasn't right on that one.

 

thats too much I would like to see someone try to put sparkplugs in a diesel ha lol.

 

The group of guys Im around alot... all of them favor "tuner cars" as they like to call them. Thier favorite movie is Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift. So one day my buddy Chad decides he wants to tune his nissan something, the guy behind that counter was like yea that was in the new movie right? But then when he was going to get parts... he couldnt decide what would get him more power, asking about bigger turbos etc It seems to me that the guy knew everything about cars but he learned it from a movie! It was quality entertainment to say the least, I have to have a vehicle without a computer in, on, or around it or something will go very very wrong. Hopefully after I get done with Basic/Mos ill be able to save some money for a year or so and really start on my car...

 

me too, much less someone buying them.

 

sad isn't it all the new cars you need a laptop to run the thing

yeah they would look and feel like a goof really fast