Another parts chain bites the dust

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Only time I use an auto parts store is if I need it Right Now. Most times I don't.


About a month ago, I priced a piston and sleeve set for a 4 cylinder engine from a local parts store. Their 18 year old employees couldn't find it in their computerized catalog, so I gave them the manufacturer and the part number. (The manufacturer doesn't sell directly to the consumer, only to their associated dealership network stores and this store was one of them) All the parts store had to do was to call the manufacturer, ship it to their store, and sell it to me.
I found another supplier than had the same identical part for $175 less, the only difference was that this supplier was 1000 miles away. He had to do the exact same thing, call the manufacturer and have the parts shipped to his door step as he's also a member of the manufacturer's associated dealership network.
I know they have inventory, insurance and local taxes to pay for, but I can't afford to pay that more much money to a local brick and mortar company when they put in less than 5 minutes of their time to order and sell me a part.

 

[Bamaro]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
Anybody remember Western Auto and Auto-Lec?

Yeah, Western Auto was bought out by Advance

 

[stephen9666]

The Western Auto building is one of the cooler buildings in KC, in my opinion.

There are pics on the Wikipedia page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Auto

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I just saw a Strauss tractor trailer out on the roads today...


There are still two open in my area (Hillside and Plainfield).

 

[fdcg27]

Who remembers Nationwise?
There were a couple of their stores in Middletown alone, and they were pretty common in this state at least.
All have been gone for more than a decade now.
Chains come and go.
AAP and AZ look pretty stable now, and O'Reilly's is expanding here as well.
They'll have their day in the sun and they'll then fade, just as Walmart will at some point.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: JTK
It's amazing how things evolved. Back in the day in my area, there were a few parts stores where there was literally a dozen guys behind the counter, you stood in line, the phones never stopped, nor did those parts guys.


That is what it was like when I started working in parts. Worked 8AM-5PM with 1/2hr for lunch 6 days a week( many times 7 - double time and a half on sunday =

). I never stopped it seemed until it was time to go home. Phones non stop and customers waiting as you said.

Towards the end of my time working parts it was changing. AZ, AAP, PepBoys, VIP, etc... began to move into the area and then the "real" parts stores began changing and not for the better IMO. The big local parts chain I worked for is a prime example.

They were once the absolute top dog for parts in this state. No one could touch them not even a huge national chain like Napa. For some reason( $$$ actually )they decided to take away the phones at the stores and put in a central telemarketing office instead. ALL calls go there for ALL their stores now. You can not call a store directly and speak to a real counterperson there any longer. Call the Exeter store and you get someone in an office in Dover 30 miles away. It is nuts. They cut 1/2 the work force in each store and those of us left basically became nothing but glorified stock pullers. I did that for about 2 months and had enough and left.

Despite the mechanic customer base and even the average Joe's complaining about it the business refused to put it back to the way it was. The company has closed several stores and the rest are like ghost towns now. They have remained in business somehow since I left the company way back in the 90's but they are nothing like they once were. They were the go-to parts store for this state. Now they are more like the last resort. They only carry a fraction of the inventory they once did as well.

Around here the only real parts store left are Napas. Although I will say when you call the local AAP, AZ, etc... you actually get that store and get a real person. They may not have a clue but it is a real person.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI


Around here the only real parts store left are Napas. Although I will say when you call the local AAP, AZ, etc... you actually get that store and get a real person. They may not have a clue but it is a real person.


I long for the day when there was a 60 year old man (or woman) behind the counter who was about 75% sure what he was going to give you before he grabbed his parts BOOK, not computer. Now the average age is 18. The last time I was at a NAPA store, nobody behind the counter knew what mechanics wire was. Is it any wonder that they have lost a lot to internet sales?
I work on a lot of antique tractors. (Ever tell a counter man that you need parts for a '47 Cockshutt tractor with a Buda engine? It ain't pretty.....) When even trying to get parts for something like this, I do all the research before I enter the store. Surprisingly, NAPA has fallen flat on their face when trying to get engine parts for something like this, and if they can get something there will be a huge UPS charge added to the final cost.
My advice is to find a regional parts store that you can trust and use them. Sometimes you need a lot of luck.

 

[doitmyself]

The evolution of the retail market. I guess it is what it is.

-Originally we had mom and pop stores (auto, hardware, lumber) staffed by competent people that could help you get quality merchandise at reasonable prices.

-The Big Box mentality took over, pushing out the good stores. These new stores offered better prices on a mix of quality choices, better hours, tool loans, etc..

-Over the years the "get it as cheap as possible" mantra took hold. China made parts became more prevalent and competition forced everyone to hire people at the lowest wages possible.

-At the same time, the internet sales boom developed, undercutting the brick and mortar stores and driving the quality of their merchandise and service down even more (attempt to compete).

- Advanced Auto and others reacted by offering on line purchases with store pick up. In some cases they succeed by nearly matching internet only stores. Plus, you can see what you bought at pick up and can do warranties easier. Win-win, but again, it relegates their employees to cheap stock persons.

So, we save money for the most part. We have to spend more time up front researching to guarantee the correct part. Returns and warranties are difficult on-line.

It is what it is, a catch 22. We want cheap. We want good brick and mortar service. It seems that the desire to have cheap is winning out at the expense of losing good, knowledgable sales people.

I do think it is a bit hypocritical to whine about the local part stores situation and then brag about how cheap you buy stuff on line. I'm guilty. I just bought our refrigerator through Sears on line to save over $250...vs. buying locally and supporting the sales person commission.

 

[Tdbo]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
The evolution of the retail market. I guess it is what it is.

-Originally we had mom and pop stores (auto, hardware, lumber) staffed by competent people that could help you get quality merchandise at reasonable prices.

-The Big Box mentality took over, pushing out the good stores. These new stores offered better prices on a mix of quality choices, better hours, tool loans, etc..

-Over the years the "get it as cheap as possible" mantra took hold. China made parts became more prevalent and competition forced everyone to hire people at the lowest wages possible.

-At the same time, the internet sales boom developed, undercutting the brick and mortar stores and driving the quality of their merchandise and service down even more (attempt to compete).

- Advanced Auto and others reacted by offering on line purchases with store pick up. In some cases they succeed by nearly matching internet only stores. Plus, you can see what you bought at pick up and can do warranties easier. Win-win, but again, it relegates their employees to cheap stock persons.

So, we save money for the most part. We have to spend more time up front researching to guarantee the correct part. Returns and warranties are difficult on-line.

It is what it is, a catch 22. We want cheap. We want good brick and mortar service. It seems that the desire to have cheap is winning out at the expense of losing good, knowledgable sales people.

I do think it is a bit hypocritical to whine about the local part stores situation and then brag about how cheap you buy stuff on line. I'm guilty. I just bought our refrigerator through Sears on line to save over $250...vs. buying locally and supporting the sales person commission.

+1. You can have service or have it on the cheap. Generally can't have your cake and eat it too. Cheap wins just about anytime. Ask Wal Mart.