Morals and working with the public

[02SE]

 

[Arc]

I think you are wrong. A business is in business to make money. If he has to take the time to locate what a customer doesn't want to do himself then why shouldn't he get paid? Are you willing to go burn your gas to get parts and sell it at the same price? Are you willing to tie up your credit ordering stuff and using your time to just give it to somebody at the same price? I markup my parts at a fair rate - it is business and I should be paid for my time and using my credit and contacts to get parts. Listen if the customer is too lazy or ill informed - not my problem.

Money isn't everything. As long as you can keep the doors open and your employees have a good life then it's all good.

 

[crashz]

While the generalizations seem to be true by majority, I have to say that we have some interns that have been exceptional. We have two now, one is a little weird (Gen Z stare?) and the other is great. Not nearly as scared of the future after meeting some of these kids. But please don't get me started on the "Of Course" response.

I go to NAPA and other brick and mortars for one reason: If the part goes bad and my car is out of service then I can immediately swap it out under warranty. That makes a big difference.

I like supporting the stores for similar reasons. Also most counter guys will at least allow you to compare parts if you bring in your old one. Especially important if you service Fords and VWs.

 

[Arc]

I go to NAPA and other brick and mortars for one reason: If the part goes bad and my car is out of service then I can immediately swap it out under warranty. That makes a big difference.

Unless it's a lifetime warranty. That means it has a determined lifetime not your lifetime as it would imply.

 

[K-Man]

Going back to the OP:

Years ago I worked for an electrical-supplies wholesaler. We were not permitted to try to get items that were outside our normal ordering channels and approved suppliers. Part of the reason was liability. Another part was the difficulty of resolving a warranty claim or defective item. Yet another was the knowledge that some unapproved suppliers had financial problems or were actually shady.

We were generally not permitted to get used obsolete circuit breakers for long-discontinued electrical panels from third parties, for example. We were generally also not permitted to get new parts from certain manufacturers that were known for problems. Instead, we would explain the policy to the customer and give some idea where to get what he needed, even if it was from a competitor. Generally, customers understood and appreciated the honesty.

Now about the OP:

The manager at a NAPA store orders a starter off Amazon to satisfy a customer. What happens if that "new" starter is defective, actually not new but used, or causes a problem such as an electrical fire? We've discussed problems with junk or counterfeit parts from Amazon. Is NAPA corporate going to resolve the problem? Seems unlikely. Could that manager's job be on the line? Most definitely.

 

[AZjeff]

Money isn't everything. As long as you can keep the doors open and your employees have a good life then it's all good.

Wow. No clue.

 

[demarpaint]

I was raised with morals, treat people right, dont screw people over, etc and lately working at Napa has tested this. I work at a Napa that is owned by a local family, they have 5 stores. We have more than just auto parts and the local people go into an uproar if we dont carry what they need. A guy came in recently for a raincoat which I thought was ridiculous, I wouldnt even think of going to a Napa for that but lo and behold we have them. Ill just give a few examples of my experience there the past few weeks.

Guy comes in for a starter, my manager says his famous line, “no we dont have it but we can get it”. He then goes on Amazon, orders it and marks it up 30%. He says its business, I say its wrong. I cant with a good conscience do that to someone

Guy comes in says he wants motorcraft 15W40. Again “we dont have it but we can get it” this oil is $25 per jug at Walmart. Manager sends me to the local ford dealer to get 3 jugs at $35 each, and sells it to the guy for $38 each. This is a case of the customer being misinformed that it can be had elsewhere for cheaper and also getting screwed in my opinion. Again I couldnt sell the guy this oil without feeling bad.

And lastly, a guy called today he said “can you get a starter for a briggs and stratton lawnmower?” Didnt say what kind, what model etc I said well bring the starter Ill match the numbers. He said cant you tell by the number of teeth? I said no he said nevermind got mad and hung up. I told my manager, he sided with me and said what they think were magicians? The public thinks we can solve the worlds problems and if we dont carry a part they need, god forbid.

I hope Im not wrong here, what Im saying is dont drink the koolaid. There are better and less expensive ways to get parts. Napa is way overpriced. While I do like to shop local when I can, I quote one of my best friends when we were talking about living in this expensive world.

“Before I support local, Im gonna shop online and support my wallet” I cant blame him for that, I try to save where I can when I can. Just a lil rant for today.

I'm not sure why someone would go to an auto parts store for a raincoat, but oh well. A simple sorry sir we don't carry that would work. Regarding sourcing parts you don't have and marking them up, that's business, as long as it is OK with the owner. It's up to the customer to decide if they want to wait, and/or pay the price. Dealing with the public is tough. People hanging up, storming out of the store, and making threats is part of the game. If you don't have the stomach for it working in a parts store or retail might not be for you.

 

[MaximumMini]

Bias much? Half the 50+ at my gym don't wash their hands after using the bathroom or wipe down the equipment when they're done.

So...how long did you hang out in the bathroom stalls observing people doing their business to come to these exacting statistics?
And asking each of them their age while at it?

If you only knew what you were eating when you eat out......
Life. Just be sure and wash yours and you'll be fine.

 

[Pew]

So...how long did you hang out in the bathroom stalls observing people doing their business to come to these exacting statistics?
And asking each of them their age while at it?

If you only knew what you were eating when you eat out......
Life. Just be sure and wash yours and you'll be fine.

It's not just "life", it's completely disgusting. I don't have to watch anybody, I just have to go into the locker rooms that is connected to the bathrooms or wash my hands after my business while they walk straight out.

I used to work at a restaurant, I know how food is prepared. That is also not a valid comparison to poor hygiene, especially at that age where we should know better.

 

[boom10ful]

It's not just "life", it's completely disgusting. I don't have to watch anybody, I just have to go into the locker rooms that is connected to the bathrooms or wash my hands after my business while they walk straight out.

I used to work at a restaurant, I know how food is prepared. That is also not a valid comparison to poor hygiene, especially at that age where we should know better.

I've seen that too and it's totally disgusting. I'd say around 75% of guys don't wash their hands after using the urinal. It doesn't take long to wash your hands!!

 

[PontiacHO]

Not about morals but my experience with NAPA in general…they are ALWAYS more expensive and most of the time for their “white box” parts. When I can have quality parts and fluids delivered to my front door cheaper than driving to the local parts places, why not?

 

[Pew]

I've seen that too and it's totally disgusting. I'd say around 75% of guys don't wash their hands after using the urinal. It doesn't take long to wash your hands!!

Ugh! Or when they only wet their hands....you're already 50% there, might as well go through with it!

 

[JeffKeryk]

I'm not sure why someone would go to an auto parts store for a raincoat, but oh well. A simple sorry sir we don't carry that would work. Regarding sourcing parts you don't have and marking them up, that's business, as long as it is OK with the owner. It's up to the customer to decide if they want to wait, and/or pay the price. Dealing with the public is tough. People hanging up, storming out of the store, and making threats is part of the game. If you don't have the stomach for it working in a parts store or retail might not be for you.

The way customers treat counter people, McDonalds, etc people makes me sick.

 

[MaximumMini]

75% now? Sheesh.
No matter how disgusting it is.....you are not going to change these people.
Humans are not as "civilized" as you may think. At least that is from your own observations (and mine).
Me? I've walked out of food joints more than once when I've seen a food prepper pick their nose or cough into their hands, scratch their heads etc...and continue preparing the food. Once saw a woman reach into her shirt and scratch her UNDER ARM, and continue preparing food.

Humans....disgusting.

 

[Donald]

I'll correct you, you meant to say, "Punch cards".

Well even if I had an assembler program on punch card I don't think the current mainframe (z16) has a card reader. And even if it did the z16 is in MD and the operators are in Spain (low cost operators) so hard to get the card read in.

Most card readers were on bus & tag byte multiplexor channels if I remember correctly. Those channels are long gone.

And while I know 370 assembler I write most stuff these days in REXX. Easier and faster. But mainly tools to sid me to do my job. Not business applications.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Back to this thread again, now with bathroom hygiene mixed in.

I really don't know why people don't understand, the seller can offer for sale whatever they want at whatever price they want, and the buyer can buy or not buy it. Its not hard to understand. What difference does it make if its a Axle for a 95 Buick or a 50 year old bottle of wine.

The largest retailers on earth do the exact same thing. Amazon and Walmart don't manufacture anything - they are resellers. There model is to make profit on volume. Don't mistake it for being more "moral". There goal is to run everyone else out of business through operational efficiency.

 

[maduroman]

Hard men create easy times.....easy times create soft men......soft men create hard times.....hard times create hard men. Repeat. We're presently in #3

Absolutely true , the real question is can the soft be turned Into the hard? With each passing generation it gets harder

 

[maduroman]

75% now? Sheesh.
No matter how disgusting it is.....you are not going to change these people.
Humans are not as "civilized" as you may think. At least that is from your own observations (and mine).
Me? I've walked out of food joints more than once when I've seen a food prepper pick their nose or cough into their hands, scratch their heads etc...and continue preparing the food. Once saw a woman reach into her shirt and scratch her UNDER ARM, and continue preparing food.

Humans....disgusting.

Was at burger King, employee put the fries in the holder with her bare hands , ummmm nope gimme a refund

 

[maduroman]

I've seen that too and it's totally disgusting. I'd say around 75% of guys don't wash their hands after using the urinal. It doesn't take long to wash your hands!!

It's more important to wash before using the urinal, but I don't touch myself in public to piss , so washing after is less Important than before

 

[Pablo]

TMI