Auto Parts Store Rant

[rexus31]

I think I'm done with O'Reilly Auto Parts.

On the heels of receiving not one, but two boxes of rear shoes for the Chrysler marked with the part number for 2.5" shoes (my application) but containing 2" shoes, I present to you my '64 GTO Alternator debacle.

Let me start by showing what the rear of the Alternator is supposed to look like per the picture in the item description on O'Reilly's website:



Notice the positioning of the POS and NEG terminals in relation to the mounting bosses. The rear case of Alternator I received was clocked to the right 90 degrees which meant the POS and NEG terminals were vertical instead of horizontal, but it also caused the smaller of the center extrusions to hit the valve cover so I was unable to mount it. Back to O'Reilly. Of course, they didn't have another in stock so they had to call another store to pull one off the shelf and do a visual to ensure the rear case was mounted correctly. The clerk at the other store reports the case is mounted the same as the unit I had purchased stating, "The manufacturer doesn't pay attention to how they mount the case. The customer needs to unbolt it and rotate to the correct position." Voicing my apprehension in cracking open the case with the potential of voiding my warranty, the clerk offered to have me perform the maneuver on site at the store. Of course, they have no tools on hand so they needed to pull some off the shelf. Anyway, after removing the 4 bolts, the case wouldn't rotate past a protrusion on the mounting boss. Looks like I'll try NAPA from now on. It's sad the remanufactured parts industry is in the dumps. On a positive note, the clerk I dealt with was accommodating, semi knowledgable and did not hesitate to provide a refund.

 

[1978 NYB]

I've had great experiences with my local Advance Auto Parts. The guys are very knowledgeable about ricers and pickup trucks and willing to learn about Mopar's.

 

[GregG48203]

From my experience rebuilding GM starters and alternators, the different clock positions had different part numbers. I am certain a competent manufacturer/rebuilder would be aware of the difference. You can probably verify this yourself by cross-checking an alternator for a similar-era Oldsmobile, for example.

 

[saforwardlook]

I personally go to NAPA nearly all of the time now, as they are the only one that seems to get things correct (and even they are not perfect, but far better than Autozone or OReilly's). Given the age of our vehicles, I find it a bit amazing that even NAPA gets things mostly correct still. Lets face it, our cars don't even dent their sales volumes any more, so the big guys will spend less time checking what they are listing for us. Take a tour of today's junkyards and all you see is a sea of junk imports and maybe one row even devoted to Mopars, if that, and they are now mostly the 2000 and up models that have given up the ghost - and that is in California where the rust didn't take out even the older cars that are left compared to the rest of the U.S. Yes, you will pay a little more for parts from NAPA, but worth the time and frustration saved.

I also find myself going on Ebay to find NOS or remanufactured parts up close and personal so I can see what I am getting before placing an order. That ain't always sureproof either, and will set you back a few days, but that is the reality we face with our relics! Your beautiful Chrysler 300 is more than a half century old remember!

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

Went to Auto Zone the other day for a "weld on" oxygen sensor bung. The guy tried to bluff his way thru my request, insisted on knowing the year/make/model of my car. I told him that wouldn't do squat as the car NEVER had one to begin with, I was doing a custom modification. So then he decides to search google for my year/make/model of car, again what the H is that going to do. He just couldn't understand that it NEVER had it to begin with. I don't think he even knew what an O2 sensor was, let alone the weld on bung for it.

 

[65sporty]

Reclocking the Alt is easy if you have done it before, you have pull it out far enough so the case half will turn, if the brushes come out they need to put back in place and a pin or wire pushed in from the back side to hold them in place while the case is put back together.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

I have had a few parts store disappointments, and find now that it is better to go direct to the manufacturer (or in this case, remanufacturer), such as for AC compressors, Four Seasons, or for brake boosters, Wagner, etc etc.

I try to get connected to their product reps, and start climbing up the list until I find someone in the company who understands what I'm talking about. Once they understad what's going on is when they usually go out of their way to ensure that the parts you need that are CORRECT for your application, (not misboxed incorrectly assembled, wrong part number) are sent directly to your store with your name on it. It makes them look good when a customer is satisfied. Often the parts store can't or won't be able to deal with the situation to your satisfaction...

Case in point:

I recently had an issue with buying remanufactured RV2 compressors for my 66 Monaco and 66 Chrysler. I ordered the ones which were supposed to be correct, which when delivered had two holes in the casing instead of the 3 required. I had ordered through Rock Auto. When I asked Rock Auto to exchange them they wanted nothing to do with finding the correct ones for my application or paying for shipping back, even though I was able to provide photo proof from their website and 4Season's website showing the correct ones and the fact that they were the wrong ones in the boxes.

I was very respectful, detailed and knowlegeable, and told them that this is the sort of situation that they needed to try and solve since the little guy (me) was the guy left holding the bag. They essentially told me to get lost, at which point I said to myself (a la Bugs Bunny) "they don't know me very well, do they?"... and got on the phone with 4 Seasons.

I got through to their AC reman product representative by the name of Rick Dull, who bent over backwards to help, understood the issue, knew of the differene between the 3 and 2 hole castings, and found me two of the correct ones. He then said "send me a letter or email detailing your problem and I'll get back to you".

Literally within 12 hours I had a rep from Rock auto calling me, saying that they were going to help, they understood the issue now (right....) and could I please send the compressors back to them at their cost and they'd send the correct ones back to me...blah blah blah... Sounds like Rick got on the phone with them and ripped them a new one... I recommend Rick highly, and when all was said and done I sent a nice email to him and his boss detailing how pleased I was with his service. This kind of things goes a long way, especially in the future if I wind up with an issue with the compressors - I know who I'll be talking to, and I have no doubt he'll take care of me... even though it'll all go through Rock Auto in the end.

Sometimes ya just gotta got to the source, so that the vendor can take care of you.

 

[Darter6]

I went round and round for 3 days with Autozone for belts on my truck. I always look up the part numbers before going in the store.They still asked "Whats it for?."Told them I need a matched set of belts #15505 "What are matched belts? Oh we don't have anything like that." Ok just give me 2 of them."Don't have them,have them for you tomorrow". Ok.,come tomorrow to pick up belts they hand me 2 #15055. Nope wrong ones.Look I have Autozone belts on my truck, the #15505 is on them."Ok we will reorder". Back again # 15055,ok I'll try them maybe they changed the number. Nope too short.Left the store.
Went to Car Quest, I need a set of matched belts for my 88 Dodge Ram,Counter man said "I got 'um,Our matched belts come taped together in sets of 2." Less than 10 minutes I was on my way.

The good thing is Auto Zone,Car Quest and O"Reilly's are all within 1 block of each other and walking distance from my shop.

 

[cantflip]

They all suck... all you can do is try to make sure you get the right stuff before leaving the counter. If online, check the return policy first. Aftermarket parts with small volume sales dont interest the big brands very much anymore.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

They are good for oil, filters, anti-freeze other fluids and need it now parts the rest Rock Auto they have good pictures and cross references.

 

[polarus]

I went through four left front calipers, two from rockauto two from NAPA before I got one that did not leak. I'm now on my second right front caliper. Fingers crossed.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I went through four left front calipers, two from rockauto two from NAPA before I got one that did not leak. I'm now on my second right front caliper. Fingers crossed.

Wow what kind of calipers? If they are Buds you have to have them sleeved does not matter how much magic you throw at them they are going to leak. Kelsey Hayes I always rebuild myself with new pistons if the caliper is not rotten on the outside(for appearance sake) a seal, a piston, a dust boot, and a good cleaning is all they ever need they really are one of the best disc brake calipers out there.

 

[commando1]

Went to AZ.
Asked for 10' of 5/8ths heater hose.
Moron brings out two expensive prepacked 6 footers and says that's the way they come.
Told him to pull 10' of the bulk roll.

I told him to get the manager.
Manager tells where to find it.
He brings out ~10'.
Now he has to price it.

Goes and gets manager.
Manager shows him how look up price.
We go to checkout.
Enters sku for hose priced per foot.
Enters for quantity: "1".

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Facepalm...

 

[1978 NYB]

Went to Auto Zone the other day for a "weld on" oxygen sensor bung. The guy tried to bluff his way thru my request, insisted on knowing the year/make/model of my car. I told him that wouldn't do squat as the car NEVER had one to begin with, I was doing a custom modification. So then he decides to search google for my year/make/model of car, again what the H is that going to do. He just couldn't understand that it NEVER had it to begin with. I don't think he even knew what an O2 sensor was, let alone the weld on bung for it.

Advance Auto Parts has them. Part number 88103.

 

[300rag]

Advance Auto Parts has them. Part number 88103.

But do they know how to find them with just a part number?

 

[commando1]

But do they know how to find them with just a part number?

Why does the customer need to come in with the P/N in hand?
That's their job.
But they can't do their job. Nor do they have to.
So you have to come in with P/N in hand.

 

[1978 NYB]

The bottom line with the aftermarket guys like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts, Napa and others is that you have to do your homework. NOT all the guys working at these places are idiots. There's a guy at my local Advance Auto Parts that has owned and actually knows C-bodies. He's a master ASE certified tech and owned his own shop for 20 years. His health deteriorated and he can't turn wrenches anymore.

 

[1978 NYB]

Why does the customer need to come in with the P/N in hand?
That's their job.
But they can't do their job. Nor do they have to.
So you have to come in with P/N in hand.

I usually look up the store website and order the parts on line, save a little money, and pickup the parts 20 minutes later.

 

[GJS]

Even our local junk yard is crappy now. Seems the "year make and model" system has stripped most parts suppliers of their nuts.

I remember when you'd go to a yard and ask "what row is Mopar?" They'd tell you, you'd go, you'd grab your part, bring it up, pay and leave. If you took the wrong thing, you drove back and exchanged it.

Now it's like "I need a vanillaroma tree." ... "year, make and model?"

Bull.