|
|
| Off Topic A place for goofing off and interests other than motorcycles. Talk about anything here, but please keep subject matter family oriented. Do not include links to sites that aren't. |
 |
| | LinkBack | Thread Tools |
08-28-2005, 12:17 PM
| #1 (permalink) |
| Gainfully employed   Join Date: Dec 2003
Bike: 2002 Bandit 1200 S
Location: St. Cloud, MN, USA
Posts: 20,115
|  F'n auto parts stores!
In the last ten years, we've gotten a number of big name stores in St. Cloud. With the opening of each new one I hold out hope that it'll be capable of supplying me with the correct parts, so I don't have to make the near-inevitable return trip, often the next day because the store has closed. Yesterday I had Jolene pick up three accessory belts for my Toyota pickup and oil and a filter for her Passat. I pull the belts this morning and compare old to new. I guessed they got one for three. I was right. One of them was a serpentine belt with "Ford" printed prominently on the back. D'oh!! Talk about a red flag! No apology, nothing. Just a lot of grumbling as he asked me what engine was in my "Honda". Arrgh!! This experience has been the rule, not the exception with such stores as Checker, Napa, Champion Auto, and others. The only store that has a fairly good record with me is Auto Value/National Bushing. They seem to hire older people who actually know cars. I don't go in that often because their warehouse style takes longer. I'm starting to think it's worth the wait. Side story: I have a background in retail and customer service. I'm no stranger to the importance of creating a positive experience for a customer. As I'm waiting for dingaling #1 to find me the correct belts, I overhear dingaling #2 tell the another customer that the brand new CBR parked immediately in front of the store's front door is his "baby". So I asked dingaling #1 whether they allow their staff to park in the best spot right in front of the store. Since I consider that rude, I said so. He told me that no, they park in the vacant lot next door. I told him I just heard dingaling #2 say that was his CBR. He said, "Yeah, his bike was stolen, so we let him park there". I asked whether it was stolen from the vacant lot. He said, "No, right in front of the store". I asked, "During business hours?" He said yup. I said, "Lemme guess, the key was in it. Am I right?" He says, "No, they loaded it up and drove away". I couldn't help but chuckle as I said, "And nobody noticed?!" He just shook his head. So did I as I walked out. WTF? LOL! BTW, I just flew past 3000 posts. Where's my frickin' cake? |
