Date:         Wed, 16 May 2007 16:15:45 -0700
Reply-To:     Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: FLAPS? could be in your experience
In-Reply-To:  <003401c7980a$873857a0$0201a8c0@kaos>
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Next month, I will have spent 30 years in the auto parts biz, 18 as an
owner, 12 years as an employee, 5 of those 12 years exclusively "workin' the
counter".  My observations......

The customers with the best attitudes to come through the door were VW
customers whether they dealt with me or almost any co-worker.  The perfect
do-it-yerselfer.

The customers with the worst attitudes drove BMWs, Mercedes or Porsches.
Their attitude was that they expected you as a counterperson to ask how
"high to jump".  The Golden Rule applied to these "obliviots"

Customers in-between these extremes were the Honda/Mazda/Nissan/Toyota (or
fill in the blank here) owner or mechanic.  A surprisingly large percentage
were fairly competent do-it-yerselfers and a counterperson learned quickly
the good, bad and ugly of these vehicles.

What I miss is the old-fashioned auto parts store, like the one I started
out in.  Y'know, the one that's been around for almost ever.  When I have to
chase a part down for anything outside a VW (and even sometimes a VW), I
look for these kinds of stores, but they're getting fewer and fewer as the
years go by, being supplanted by what I call worthless "fast food" auto
parts stores like Autozone, Advance Auto, Kragens, Shucks, Checker, etc.
Most NAPA stores I run into fit the "old-fashioned" mold, though the newer
ones aren't worth spit on a gnat's butt.  Most Carquest stores are
essentially "converted" old fashioned part stores that have been assimilated
into their network and generally have what ever I've needed on a weekend and
most of the employees are holdovers from the original ownership, many of
them auto enthusiasts of whatever marque holds their fancy.  I find them to
be the most pleasant to deal with.

The biggest problem I find with the newer chains is that there is virtually
NO experience behind the counter and "clock watching" is their favorite
sport.
--
Jim Thompson
84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
***********************************
On 5/16/07, Kenneth Lewis <kdlewis@northstate.net> wrote:
>
> My Young VW Bus Padawan,
>
> I believe that part of the trick is to frequent the same store so you
> become
> a familiar face. Greet the people there consistently with a friendly and
> courteous attitude. Be tolerant of their Vanagon unfamiliarity . Maybe
> even
> try to learn their names and eventually they might warm up to you. If you
> ever worked on the other side of the counter you would know how rude and
> abusive the majority of the public can be. Stand out as friendly face.
> Pretty soon you will find them going that extra mile for you, searching
> the
> data base for a substitute, suggesting economic alternatives, being
> generous
> when the measure out that twenty feet of 5/8" heater hose. In short,
> treating you Friendly.
>
> And above all, don't forget to keep your stick on the ice.
>
> Ken Lewis
> http://neksiwel.20m.com/
> Vanagon mods, tech info and O2 sensor help