[Blessed66]

I usually love these discussions, because I have either worked for or worked "with" a local parts company (ABC Auto, for those in East Texas), O'Reilly's, AutoZone, Pep Boys, Bumper-to-Bumper, NAPA, Advance Auto Parts and some of the "small scale" parts houses - the mom & pop, only have one or two locations small businesses.

Like dealerships and independent service facilities, there is a built-in failure rate. I will say with 100% confidence that I know I have failed people in the past, it's part of the business - unfortunately. We are all human.

The biggest problem I have with almost every parts store is they refuse to hire or retain people (in my experience) who might actually know a thing or two about cars. In my entire work history, I have an array of experience - including in management (parts and dealership service), Chrysler, Ford, and GM training regarding troublshooting and repair issues, and have successfully turned a net profit in a small parts store south of Lufkin way back in 2009.

But you guys want to know the worst part? I cannot seems to find a "parts store" manager who wants to cough up my desired pay rate. Once you start talking $10+ an hour, they all balk. Trust me, I've tried.

I may be awkward and ramble online, but behind a parts counter, I was a force to be reckoned with. I was the type of guy who would call every available source if I didn't have a part, I was the guy that would slap on wipers in the middle of a storm with no hesitation, and I was the guy who greeted people and actually got to the root of their issue - even if it meant telling them I think they might have another issue and to go back and check this or that.

"Difficult" customers (I know we all can be one) were the best. Some guys and gals come in with what they expect to be a pain in the butt to find problem - sound familiar? - only for me to solve it without even breaking a sweat.

So yeah, getting back to the point, I've been disappointed with a lot of stores from time to time, and I've been amazed at what talent and knowledge some parts people have... I chalk it up to luck of the draw, you'll have a bad experience any place you go, on a long enough timeline. But always, always find the guy who works at those locations that actually knows his stuff.

If it weren't for customers who came looking for me, specifically, I probably never would have learned as much or stayed in the business as long as I could.

I'll get off my soapbox now.