NAPA experience

Tony in SD · Jun 18, 2023

I needed a set of points & condenser for our 1953 Ford NAA Jubilee. I the young man at the counter asked if he could help me? I said I need a set of points & condenser for a 1953 Ford NAA Jubilee. With a puzzled look he started punching the keyboard, asked for help from 2 other part people and 20 minutes later I was informed that NAPA didnt have such an item. So I went to the next part store 1 block away, in less than 20 minutes later I was on my way out the door with the desired product.

Tim PloughNman Daley RIP · Jun 18, 2023

Always take the original FORD part numbers with you; you can't go wrong with OEM numbers. NAPA, or any other supplier can cross reference the FORD number to their number and if none are found, move on. NAPA has them, the kid and his crew just didn't know where to look. I have a list of all the 8N front mount and side mount parts, working on the NAA and after. Many are supplied by ECHLIN and most are Made in USA.

Tim Daley (MI)

flying belgian · Jun 18, 2023

You have to hold their hand every step of the way. Tell them this is an older, small farm tractor. It is gray with wheels on all 4 corners. It is used for light farm work such as mowing grass and blading driveway. Do not tell them it is used for raking hay. They have no idea what that means. Bring up a picture of a tractor on your phone. They think all tractors are green and yellow and called John Deere so you will have to explain its like a John Deere only different. A photo of your actual tractor can sometimes be helpful.

MSD · Jun 18, 2023

Is that 4 wheel drive?2 door or 4 door? What motor does it have? Blah Blah blah!

jddrawbar · Jun 18, 2023

Manager of our local NAPA has been there since he was a teenager (25 or so years). I lot of the parts he can go pick up without even looking up the part #. If they don't have it, next day delivery or sometimes the same afternoon. Counter help has also been there for years & are great. Picked up an oil filter for my Cat skid steer & just walked back and pulled it off the shelf.....I didn't have the #, but she knew it. I try to get all parts I can from them.

RodinNS · Jun 18, 2023

With all due respect.... did you really anticipate getting that stuff at NAPA? You're lucky to get parts for a 10 year old vehicle anymore never mind a 70 year old tractor. I guess to put this another way... why would you fault them if you didn't at least walk in there with the Ford part numbers or at least something they might be able to cross?
I will say, NAPA is not what it used to be... I miss the guys that had that knowledge at the counter. However, the guys that are there today are pretty good too. They just don't know the old stuff because they (for the most part) don't deal in old stuff. The automotive world hasn't used points in more than 50 years now.
One quick look on CNH parts got the numbers and google turned up a dozen different sources in under a minute, every one of which would be cheaper than NAPA if you did manage to cross it.

Rod

Charlie M · Jun 18, 2023

I get points and condensers for my old Farmalls all the time at NAPA. Got to have a guy behind the counter that knows how to look.

deeretails · Jun 18, 2023

A few years back I picked you a 70's NAPA farm catalogue, I provide the parts person with the NAPA part number from the catalogue and they can find it that way.

chcase · Jun 18, 2023

I worked at a farm store, had ware store and a napa store. They need to hire someone wanting to help the customer get what they need. I now find it hard as most people at the counter only want to use the computer.

M-MAN · Jun 18, 2023

Most of the old parts guys are gone. The young ones are taught to look at the computer. This stuff isn't there. Ask him to look in the paper catalog and you'll get what you need.

ss55 · Jun 18, 2023

Next time try ordering the parts online for pickup when you get there, or have them delivered to your shop. That saves you time and frustration and also saves some of their time because you look up or just enter the part numbers when you place the order.

shaun wallace · Jun 18, 2023

Have the same story about points for a G M product at Auto Zone and almost got same thing at Oreilleys.

chcase · Jun 18, 2023

I own a few Napa catalogs from when I worked at napa. I will take it along and have it on the seat and write down the part numbers before going in the store.You know within 2 minutes if the parts person can find your part or tells you they can not get it. Then I tell them the part number and that gets the job done.

Old weldor · Jun 18, 2023

If you think thats bad,a friend of mine has a 39 Chevy coupe with all modern drivetrain. When he goes to the parts store they always ask for the make, model and engine size. They are really lost when he tells them a 1939 Chevy with a 350!

MeanGene1 · Jun 18, 2023

These days, it works quite well to look your parts up on the store's website, then print out the result with their part#, a picture of the part, and how many their system shows they have in stock. Takes the baloney and frustration out of it, and the counter person gets a chance to learn something- maybe he/she will remember

NDIHC · Jun 18, 2023

The parts guys in our dealership are the same way. If they can't look it up by a VIN it doesn't exist. If we don't have the part on hand and I want them to check locally for aftermarket, they punch in the oe part number and if the magic cross reference doesn't produce a result, it doesn't exist. Then I go back to my computer, do a web search on the part and inform them which suppliers have it on hand. The dealerships are going the way of other retailers. Pay someone who can barely do the job very little instead of paying a premium wage to someone who excels at the job.

rrlund · Jun 18, 2023

Kids are stupid....you can't get a good steak at the drug store....etc,etc,etc.

wp6529 · Jun 18, 2023

I guess I've been lucky around here, I've had a number of good experiences where folks including young ones working at various auto parts places have had a clue, found obscure stuff without looking it up on the computer, etc. Perhaps it's regional.

Welding man · Jun 18, 2023

Don't blame it on NAPA, blame it on computers. Nobody uses books anymore. The kids behind the computer only knows how to run a computer, not read a book. Blame it on the school system. They don't even teach cursive writing anymore. A lot of high school graduates can't even sign their own name and they definitely cannot count you out the correct change if the computer doesn't tell them how much. I always look up my own part numbers for filters, parts or whatever before calling the parts store. Then I know I get the right thing. I don't have time to spend for them to take up 45 minutes of my time to look up a $5.00 part.

NY 986 · Jun 18, 2023

NAPA today has little resemblance to the stores of the 1970's that had an emphasis on farmers and small contractors. The employees are trained to push basic tools and accessories. In fairness they do have some enthusiasm to help but are limited by their personal knowledge. Don't walk in expecting a 60 year old guy with a background in farm equipment, light industrial, and OTR trucks. The nearest NAPA to me is staffed by 20 something year olds both male and female. Just the way it is.

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