My least favorite question...

[Ethanol]

Well there are probably worse, but when I go to a salvage yard or autozone and ask "Do you have x, y or z?" And they dude behind the counter asks "What's it going on?"

Why? WHY do you need to know. I need the smallest 12v gel battery you have. Just point me in the direction and let me go look. If I tell you it's going on a 1969 Yamaha yg1 is that going to help you?

It's worse when I'm looking for a tank or other body stuff that I'm going to fab up mounting for or cut up in some horrible way. "Can I look at your gas tanks?" "What model bike is it for?" Grrrrrr.

Yes I am tired. Sorry for bitching!

 

[Midcoastcustoms]

Well there are probably worse, but when I go to a salvage yard or autozone and ask "Do you have x, y or z?" And they dude behind the counter asks "What's it going on?"

Why? WHY do you need to know. I need the smallest 12v gel battery you have. Just point me in the direction and let me go look. If I tell you it's going on a 1969 Yamaha yg1 is that going to help you?

It's worse when I'm looking for a tank or other body stuff that I'm going to fab up mounting for or cut up in some horrible way. "Can I look at your gas tanks?" "What model bike is it for?" Grrrrrr.

Yes I am tired. Sorry for bitching!

Ha ha I know how you feel. A mechanic mentor I once worked for taught me how to get around this years ago. Tell them your building a rocket. They'll will say "like a model rocket?" You say "NO like a real rocket." Act serious. They will then assume that you are crazy but have money to spend and will immediately become a lot more helpful. Chances are they don't know squat about building a R O C K E T but you do ;-). Bonus points if they refer to you as the Rocketman from there on out. Hope this helps

 

[Ethanol]

That's an awesome answer. Maybe I'll say I'm building a time machine!

 

[Big R]

Ha ha ha! I know exactly what you're talking about.

My local parts stores dont have much for motorcycle parts (batteries, plugs, and that's about it) so if I need something I have to know the part number before i walk in the door.

Luckily, everybody at the one store sees my Honda all the time so they dont ask "what's it for?".

But i like the rocket explanation......

 

[JRK5892]

hahaha i am on a first name basis wiht the guys at the local auto parts store, have done a ton of work for them now as well... to the point where they never even ask now, just get the "hey joe, what ya need!"

 

[VonYinzer]

As someone who has run a parts store, I too am annoyed by 90% of those that work there. Its really not their fault (entirely) though. They are trained to use those goddamn computers above all. I worked with guys who didnt even know where we kept the actual books. And those computers wont allow you to look up anything without a make and model, as well as year. Its sad. And the majority of folks at these places dont give a flying fuck about "custom" or anything else. The store I ran was actually staffed with some really great guys, who really knew their stuff. Actually became a regular stop for all the bike/car builders around.

Another thing... What you can actually get from a parts store and whet the people who work there know about are vastly different. Ask to see their specialty catalouges (if they havent thrown them out yet...) sometime. You would be amazed. Especially by the motorcycle parts available.

 

[xulf13]

hahaha i am on a first name basis wiht the guys at the local auto parts store, have done a ton of work for them now as well... to the point where they never even ask now, just get the "hey joe, what ya need!"

That's the same relationship I have with the guys at my local autoparts store. Except, they don't call me Joe.

 

[Midcoastcustoms]

That's the same relationship I have with the guys at my local autoparts store. Except, they don't call me Joe.

I actually worked at a Champion Auto parts store for years when I was younger (R.I.P). It was one of the last independently owned auto parts stores around. It was known as the place for hot rodders and custom builders to go. We used the books. If we didn't have we would get it or call the competitors store to see if they had it on hand. The days of this level of service are long gone. Bring me a cap and rotor off of your boat I'll match it up. Probably came off a '74 Vega or something. Need a solenoid for your plow truck...i got ya. How about clear fuel line to blead your brakes or fix your tractor (try finding that at Big Name Auto) This was the days before Autozone took over with their foreign parts. The owner who was in his 70's and saw the writing on the wall with the internet coming of age and chain stores driving out the little guys. I miss that place.

 

[4eyes]

I actually worked at a Champion Auto parts store for years when I was younger (R.I.P). It was one of the last independently owned auto parts stores around. It was known as the place for hot rodders and custom builders to go. We used the books. If we didn't have we would get it or call the competitors store to see if they had it on hand. The days of this level of service are long gone. Bring me a cap and rotor off of your boat I'll match it up. Probably came off a '74 Vega or something. Need a solenoid for your plow truck...i got ya. How about clear fuel line to blead your brakes or fix your tractor (try finding that at Big Name Auto) This was the days before Autozone took over with their foreign parts. The owner who was in his 70's and saw the writing on the wall with the internet coming of age and chain stores driving out the little guys. I miss that place.

That was the kind of place I used to get my parts from. The owner and I became good friends. When almost everything you work on is over 30 years old and/or British, most parts guys just give you a blank stare. :

 

[mysta2]

That's the same relationship I have with the guys at my local autoparts store. Except, they don't call me Joe.

...do they call you rocketman? ;D

 

[Flugtechnik]

Tell them your building a rocket. They'll will say "like a model rocket?" You say "NO like a real rocket." Act serious. They will then assume that you are crazy but have money to spend and will immediately become a lot more helpful. Chances are they don't know squat about building a R O C K E T but you do ;-). Bonus points if they refer to you as the Rocketman from there on out.

I think I could get away with this.

 

[Hoofhearted]

I work for an auto parts company (maintenance). I don't go to the main counter when I need something because, as has been said, they are totally computer dependant. I have my own catalogs so I can look up what I need.
When I go to a bike shop I bring a photo with me so when the computer addicted counterman says what make, model and year I say this and show him the photo. Then I tell him just go get the part and if its what I need I'll buy it. Works every time.

By weslake at 2010-09-15

 

[Saki]

I do my shopping online for parts.. if I have to goto one of the big chain stores.. I feel so great though when I buy a part for my vw, I goto the local shop ask for a part and they go to the back room and bring it back.

 

[xulf13]

...do they call you rocketman? ;D

No, But my Wife does!!

 

[Midcoastcustoms]

I do my shopping online for parts.. if I have to goto one of the big chain stores.. I feel so great though when I buy a part for my vw, I goto the local shop ask for a part and they go to the back room and bring it back.

Rockauto.com is awesome i get most my parts from them.

 

[teazer]

It's just a fact that parts guys don't know every make and model and really don't have many ways to look up say fairing screws for something that might work on an idea I'm having for my totally non original bike...

AFAIK, dealer systems don't have much of a SEARCH function either. So I try to find the part number or at least find a model/make that I want the part from. They don't need to know what I'm doing with the part now do they?

If you are looking for something generic, try to find an on line catalog and search there to see what's available. Another technique I sue is to look at bikes on the dearler showroom floor for parts. Say I'm looking for a clean fairing bracket. I'll look at all the bikes and see if anything looks like a match and then I either buy one (50% chance of it working) or I just copy the design and make something similar.

 

[Fix]

It's just a fact that parts guys don't know every make and model and really don't have many ways to look up say fairing screws for something that might work on an idea I'm having for my totally non original bike...

Hey! How did you know I was looking for fairing screws?!

 

[CCRider]

Reminds me of one of my favorite scenes from "King of the Hill"

Hank to clueless Mega-Lo-Mart clerk: Where are your tap and dies?

Clueless Mega-Lo-Mart clerk: Uh, what do you want to do?

Hank (highly annoyed): I want to buy a God-Danged tap and die!

CC

 

[xcaptainxbloodx]

salvage yards and auto parts stores are not custom shops, even if thats what we use them as.

more than half of their business is finding people replacement parts for their stock transport. many of the owners of those vehicles owners dont know shit about shit.

when you look at it from that point of view, you can see pretty quickly why "whats it for" is a pretty standard question. the fact that the fellow behind the counter knows his parts well enough that he can go in the back and dig out an old gas tank your 30 year old bike should be a point of honor.

Kids working with computers are just that, they are limited by their inexperience and with the frustratingly specific software they have to work with. his job is to get to pieces of information, "what do you need" and "whats it going on".


Customizing bikes may be nothing special to us, but unless you go to a custom shop you are in the minority. dont expect them to be psychic.

 

[jsouthard]

I know. Really???

Can you believe that sometimes when you walk into a specialty store you get these friendly people who want to talk to you? And then they try and take an interest in what you’re doing. Man that is super lame.

I know you’re probably just venting after what was a bad day. But you never know who you’re talking to behind one of those counters. I have known many great people who work in retail and some very talented builders as well. To get someone who’s nice, friendly or taking interest is fantastic. They may just suggest a different vendor or more reliable brand than the standard sitting on the self.

Either way, even if you don’t need or want their help at least you know you’re talking to someone who wants to know and is trying to help. No more community. People type away on computers (like me) and are reluctant to talk or be nice to anyone. Drive through their McDonalds on the way to Wal-Mart and then treat the guy at Autozone like crap. He finally had someone come in and ask for some unique rather than mom asking for windshield wiper blades.

Seriously.