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Open Letter to Auto Parts Retailers

2K views 20 replies 11 participants last post by  PRO48ENFO 
#1 ·
I am a Hot Rodder. I built my car all by myself. I did the engine, transmission, suspension, frame, body work, glass, uphlostry, paint, everything all by myself. Yes I made a lot of mistakes along the way, I wasted some money, but it was an investment in education. I have many more skills than I did before I became involved in this hobby. Doing it myself is also great therapy, a chance to revive my batteries in a controlled atmosphere where effort always results in tangible benefits. This prepares me for less comforting and less secure challenges I face in the real world.

With the above facts in mind, when I come into your store with money in hand that I want to give to you for your part or service, don't ridicule me and make me feel like a fool for the idea I have. Work with me on my dream. If I am really wrong on an idea, tell me like a friend, not like a person who is so superior that you barely have time to waste on an idiot like me.

After all, I have been fairly successful in my efforts so far. Look out the window at the car I drove to your store. I will finally solve the problem I came to you with, whether you decide to help me or not. If you decide to not treat me with the respect I deserve, I will go elsewhere. There are others out there who welcome the chance to dream my dreams with me, and those are the people I want to associate with.

[ August 16, 2002: Message edited by: willys36@aol.com ]</p>
 
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#2 ·
Ha, how about this today....I used sombodys idea on here. I walked into my local Pep Boys today to rent a coil spring compressor. While I was waiting I asked the "new" parts guy for a radiator cap for a 72' VW beetle. It took the guy over five minutes and he came back to me saying, we dont carry that, its a special order.(hint, hint, there air cooled) Now would you want a guy like that ordering parts for your car? <img src="graemlins/spank.gif" border="0" alt="[spank]" />

[ August 16, 2002: Message edited by: BuggyMan303 ]</p>
 
#3 ·
Respect is something you earn, you never have it given too you. Willys, you have mine. There are some people on this site that when they post, I put more stock in thier thoughts than other peoples "proof"
If I could copy this and send it to every parts house, I would. Thank you for your candor, experience and helpfull points of view.

Hey, after lunch, I'm gonna skip my fifth period typing class and go make faces at the Good Guys office. Wanna come? :p
 
#7 ·
I always say walk softly and carry a large trout. If I don't get a intelligent response from the moron form behind the counter in 5 minutes I ask to speak to the boss, I am through fooling around with incompetant sales people.

I worked at probably the largest auto supplier in Canada when I was just a kid, I worked the auto parts counter. I once asked the others behind the counter with me if they had ever bench bled a master cylinder? Not one had. I then asked if any of them had ever changed a tire? Only one had, but his Dad helped?

Woefully inadequete training combined with zero life experience makes for a person unqualified to help anybody. I wonder how long it will be before some company actually pays qualified mechanics to work the counter and pays them what they are worth and lets them help their customers. Shouldn't be too long, Revy did it!
 
#8 ·
i had to change the tire on my stupid car last sunday by myself on a busy intersection in a short skirt, hose and heels it sucked and as i was tightning the last bolt on the doughnut this guy in a jeep pulls up and in his most maly voice was like do you need any help ma'am ??? i gave him this disgusted look and snorted where in the hell were you 10 mins. ago ???? no i got it its ok when i got up i had holes in my hose and i was covered with road grime and rubber it sucked


and the girls i was with were like i cant believe you know how to change a tire we would have been stuck here if you werent here

[ August 16, 2002: Message edited by: chevelle girl ]</p>
 
#9 ·
No, she doesn't really like to ride in it. She did drive a '56 Bel Air Sport 4dr Hardtop for 5 years though. Traded it in for an Expedition so she could carry more grandkids.

4Jaw; Actually my letter isn't directed to the slack-jawed mouth-breaters that are so common now. Rather it is directed to the 50 yr. old worlds-foremost-authority type. For example, I got a hottie hydraulic cam for my 235 Chevy 6 and went to a big name stovebolt expert to get some hydraulic lifters. He told me in a condecending tone that he wouldn't sell me anything but solid lifters, that hydraulics for this engine always collapsed. Obviously, I won't be shopping there again. Southern Auto Debbie will sell me all the lifters I want and be very pleasant in the mean time.
 
#16 ·
Hey Chevelle Girl, would that be Pittsburg, Texas, home of the world famous Pittsburg Hotlinks and Bo Pilgram of Pigram Pride Chicken fame???just up I-30 East from Plano.....
 
#17 ·
hey willys congrats from me to. some oldies on the radio, a nice cruise in the country and a lot of reminising, thats what its all about.
iv'e been hitched for 13 yrs and going strong.it will be great to look back in another 20. maybe the chevy will be done by then! :D
 
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