Re: napa stores in general

Posted by DRL on September 11, 2006 at 21:05:32 from (24.32.126.209):

In Reply to: napa stores in general posted by napaguy on September 11, 2006 at 19:13:18:

There is no NAPA store in my area, but this is what my experience has been with parts stores in general. You can really tell the parts guys that have been there for a while (read pre-computer) and those who haven't. Parts people used to have to look it up in a book and go by the part numbers and after a while, they knew what part was needed without having to look it up. They knew what interchanged. Also the old fashioned stores had several suppliers and the parts people were usually on a first name basis with these suppliers and didn't have to look up their phone number. They would get out the old books and research old numbers, find crossovers, etc. They would get on the phone and usually find what you needed if they didn't have it on their shelf. Seems today, if it isn't in the computer, that is where it stops. You are just SOL, buddy.

Case in point. A couple of weeks ago I had a wheel bearing go out on a boat trailer late in the evening. Bearing came apart and wheel came off. Not much left of the bearing and numbers were worn off long ago. I went to the local box store because they are open late. I had no idea of the manufacturer of the trailer as it wasn't mine and I'm not sure that it would have helped anyhow. All I got was a blank stare from the person behind the counter. Was told unless he went through every bearing on the shelf there was no way to find the one I needed. Got on the cell phone and called the local mom and pop parts store which should have been closed. They were luckily still there helping another customer out of a bind. I went there, told the guy what I needed. He knew which part number I needed right off the top of his head. Took the calipers and measured to be sure, and was correct. Got my bearing, got the boat off the side of the road and was on my way. Who do you think will get my business from now on??

Replies:

• Re: napa stores in general napaguy 21:10:08 09/11/06 (0)

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