I’ve often caught flak for going off on the customers instead of viewing the other side of the counter, and I agree, I usually don’t like looking behind the counter for the fault. We expect that the person behind the counter understands our problems and has, if nothing else, the desire to assist us with finding a solution. We may not like the solution. We may not be able to afford the solution. But even if we can’t come to a solution in the store, we come away with the understanding of where to look. Were you ever referred to a good shop by a parts store guy? Maybe someone who knew what to look for when they didn’t. After serving my time behind that counter, I can honestly say that I gave each and every customer my best shot.
But that isn’t always the case, I know it. I’ve seen it. And so have you readers. One in particular shared his story of grief:
I’ve been going to the same store for years now. There’s always one or two guys that really give a damn, about four or five that kind-of do their job. These people I don’t mind. But here’s what I do mind: About six months ago this store hired on a young lady from a vocational tech school who was wanting to be a mechanic. Her first couple of weeks working there, she was on-point. You ask her a question, she was up, moving, doing everything that she could do to help.
I went in last week to grab some supplies. As I walked in the door I saw nobody: no one at the counter, no one in the aisles, no other customers. I didn’t hear anyone talking either. It was very eerie. I walked in a few steps and sitting between the aisles behind the counter, on a stepladder, was this same young lady. She just smiled, like she was playing a prank. I wasn’t amused. You’d expect to at least be greeted when you come in, y’know? I grabbed what I came in for and went up to the counter. She begrudgingly got off of the footstool, still not a word and started checking me out. As she finished up she smiled at me and said, “I’ve only got two weeks left.” Oh, that’s gotta be it, she put in her two weeks notice and has “checked out”, right? Nope, I asked: “No, two weeks until I turn eighteen.”
This is why young people get such a bad reputation: this is the normal, not the rare occurrence like it used to be.
Oh, let me assure you, readers, that there would’ve been a massive blow-up if it were me. My one question: Where was everyone else at? There’s no way in hell that a store is going to leave one person to run things, let alone a team member under the age of eighteen. They are just as much at fault as she is. Frankly, with her attitude, she shouldn’t be working. I’m getting mad thinking about it. But judging from her co-workers, she’s learning bad behavioral traits from them.
Should you actually see this yourself, do everyone involved a favor: next to the door at most big-name auto parts stores, is a list of managers and phone numbers. Don’t call the store manager. Call the district manager, or regional manager, and explain what happened. Nothing will get a district manager’s ass in gear quite like hearing something like this.
nter
theres a chain in Australia called Supercheap ( referred to as Supercrap by most customers) whose whole sales staff philosophy you’ve just summed up. Most times they are staffed by young chicks and younger, much much dumber males and its usually the chicks who have a vague idea of what a car is and what might make it work. This is a 100% swear on a stack of bibles exchange I had (with one of the guys) Me: I need an engine mount for a Cleveland. Dude: a what? Me: An engine mount , you know, goes between the motor and the car, rubber in the middle….Dude: just looks at me, then says: our frangiapani seat covers are on special….Me: uh, OK…..any chance of getting the engine mount though….Dude: Whats a Cleveland? I rest my case.
It’s worse than Ebola; and it’s spreading. There are no obvious symptoms unless you engage in conversation. Stupid is the lack of ability to lean, it’s more like “happy ignorance” which so many younger people seem to embrace. Sorry it has hit “Oceania”. As for Supercheap, they seem to have a bad business model. At our “Pep Boys” there’s always the “counter guys” that will answer questions that to” isle” dimwits can’t.
I love the lack of continuity. Damage / no Damage. Cheap centerline knock offs / steels back to knock offs… Very common for these types of movies
Hey Davey, you’re a dumbass. You responded to a different post. By any chance…do you work in a parts store?
I work in a parts store. None of this happens, and we all generally know what we’re doing.
But, again, maybe this shit just hasn’t started happening in Canada yet. Every auto parts store I’ve worked in tends to hire people who know what they’re doing, except Canadian Tire, and it stopped being a parts store in the 80s.
I live in NC now and in my town there are 6 auto part stores! 5 within walking distance of each other. So far they are at least knowledgeable about all of the questions I’ve had ask.