Parts store follies.

[Chris142]

We have all heard the stories of dealing with a counter clown that has no idea what they are doing.

Here is my story from yesterday.

I needed a 10mm x1.50 TPI thread repair kit. Be it a helicoil type, nutsert.... Whatever I don't care at this point .

Ordered a kit with the proper drill off Amazon last week. It's delivery date keeps getting pushed back .

Running out of patience because I need to get this job done and I'm stuck until I get the kit .

Finally threw in the towel and called around locally for it

Called Orileys and they have it. I specifically asked the guy on the phone if it had the correct drill bit with it. This is important because without the weird size drill bit the kit is useless.

He said yes and he has it at the counter waiting for me.

Get to the store about 30 minutes later and the guy isn't there so the girl helps me. No kit anywhere around the counter so she finds another kit.

Hands it to me and there's no drill bit. It does not come with it. She pointed to the tap thinking that was a drill bit. I showed her a drill bit in the tool section and asked her if she sees anything like that in the kit.

They do not stock a 13/32 drill bit.

Left the store pretty peterbed at this point.

Went to AutoZone across the street.

Asked that guy for the thread repair kit and a 13/32 drill bit.

His answer was ... Make ,model,year.

I explained that they won't have it categorized like that. It's a universal thread repair kit. He insists.

I humor him..
1999 Isuzu trooper thread repair kit for the timing belt tensioner. He says they have no listing.

Ya I kinda figured that already.

Went to Napa. They have the same kit,cheaper but no drill bit of course. Get the kit anyway.

Start calling around. Found a drill bit at an Ace hardware an hour away in Crestline,ca.

2+ hrs later return home with the 13/32 drill bit and started working on getting the car fixed.

Shouldn't be this hard to do a simple repair.

 

[Zee09]

If you lived by me I'd give you a few as I use them every day..
Long and CNC stubs and parabolics.. what a hassle

 

[PontiacHO]

Yes, I think Autozone folks are trained to ask “Yr, Make, Model” no matter what. Even if your asking for car wash soap…

 

[mk378]

13/32 inch is not that unusual a drill bit. Lowes website shows them in stores.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

The NAPA store I use would have common tools like a 13/32 drill bit.

 

[slo town]

13/32 inch is not that unusual a drill bit. Lowes website shows them in stores.

The NAPA store I use would have common tools like a 13/32 drill bit.

Drill bits are consumable items that I frequently abuse. I've been known to use a drill bit as a grinding tool, like I did in frustration at my sister-in-laws place a few days ago. I have 3 or 4 sets, none of them complete because I misuse them and ruin them over time. I probably have at least 2 or 3 bits of the same size, yet I have no bits for another size. Weird how that works.

Scott

 

[64bawagon]

So what youre saying is you need a better drill assortment ? I would have loaned you one were it not for the 2600 mile commute.

 

[Chris142]

The NAPA store I use would have common tools like a 13/32 drill bit.

They recently redid our Napa. It used to be pretty large. Now it's about 15ft x30ft with only oil and air fresheners available to the public. The guy and I went behind the counter and they do not have a place on their rack for that size.

AutoZone and orileys don't either.

 

[Chris142]

So what youre saying is you need a better drill assortment ? I would have loaned you one were it not for the 2600 mile commute.

Ya I do at both home and work. A good set is very expensive. The cheap sets go up in smoke on the first hole.

 

[Chris142]

13/32 inch is not that unusual a drill bit. Lowes website shows them in stores.

Ya seems our store never has stuff in stock. You can't call and ask them. Nobody ever answers.

I'm pretty tired of driving around to get something that should be in stock but is not.

 

[AutoMechanic]

If you were on the east coast I’d of loaned you my fancy Matco Hyper Step bits. They cut metal like it’s butter lol. Best $300 something I’ve ever spent. I don’t have a nice set at home though I just blow through the cheapies at home haha.

But yes, it is so frustrating to have to drive to every store in town to find something like that. It’s part of the reason I miss Sears so badly.

 

[Chris142]

If you were on the east coast I’d of loaned you my fancy Matco Hyper Step bits. They cut metal like it’s butter lol. Best $300 something I’ve ever spent. I don’t have a nice set at home though I just blow through the cheapies at home haha.

But yes, it is so frustrating to have to drive to every store in town to find something like that. It’s part of the reason I miss Sears so badly.

Wonder who makes them for Matco? Hansen maybe?

 

[doitmyself]

Excellent, well deserved rant.

Applause AND standing ovation worthy.

I recently incurred a damaged bolt hole on my workplace 28 year old John Deere tractor (imagine a "permanent" bolt backing out after 28 years-mind boggling). Myself and trusted cohorts thought it was helicoil worthy. Sent it off (workplace, not mine) and mechanic runs thread restorer thru and clamps piece back on with loctite. Cha Ching..................$550! (clutch adjust too). 2 hours labor and misc. other charges. Not my money, but still, I wrestle with real world prices. My rant.....thank you.

 

[Wingo]

I worked at a Champion Auto Parts store through college, it was a while ago. Before the job I had a somewhat decent understanding of automotive repair, some areas more than others. I loved that job, but I was not a mechanic and didn't know even close to all facets of the field. If I did, I would have made quite a bit more money as a mechanic.
But I learned as I went, and after a few years became quite proficient at the job. I remember one old guy came through cussing me out because I didn't know straight up to pull a points and condenser off the shelf for a Chevy. I knew what he needed, but there wasn't much call for those anymore and with the hundreds of different ignition parts on the shelf I didn't know the part number. Gave me a lot of guff for not knowing my job good enough.
Long way of saying, the guy behind the counter may be learning. As for the drill bit question, that was something I learned to check the shelf to make sure parts were there and physically look at a product to answer a specific question if I wasn't positive. They probably will remember that now.
Cut em a break. I am sure it was aggravating, but relax.

 

[Zee09]

MSC in the day allowed you to order up to 11pm and get it the next day via UPS ground as they had a UPS depot in the store...

In the golden days I would order 3 or 4 x a week.....

 

[AutoMechanic]

Wonder who makes them for Matco? Hansen maybe?

I don’t know but I know Astro and KnKut sells the same ones for way cheaper if you wanted to get them. I looked it up and found both on JBTools for way cheaper than the $360ish that these were.

 

[Chris142]

Cut em a break. I am sure it was aggravating, but relax.

It's aggravating because I'm not a few minutes from a store. It's quite a trek for me( my fault I guess).

 

[JimPghPA]

We have all heard the stories of dealing with a counter clown that has no idea what they are doing.

Here is my story from yesterday.

I needed a 10mm x1.50 TPI thread repair kit. Be it a helicoil type, nutsert.... Whatever I don't care at this point .

Ordered a kit with the proper drill off Amazon last week. It's delivery date keeps getting pushed back .

Running out of patience because I need to get this job done and I'm stuck until I get the kit .

Finally threw in the towel and called around locally for it

Called Orileys and they have it. I specifically asked the guy on the phone if it had the correct drill bit with it. This is important because without the weird size drill bit the kit is useless.

He said yes and he has it at the counter waiting for me.

Get to the store about 30 minutes later and the guy isn't there so the girl helps me. No kit anywhere around the counter so she finds another kit.

Hands it to me and there's no drill bit. It does not come with it. She pointed to the tap thinking that was a drill bit. I showed her a drill bit in the tool section and asked her if she sees anything like that in the kit.

They do not stock a 13/32 drill bit.

Left the store pretty peterbed at this point.

Went to AutoZone across the street.

Asked that guy for the thread repair kit and a 13/32 drill bit.

His answer was ... Make ,model,year.

I explained that they won't have it categorized like that. It's a universal thread repair kit. He insists.

I humor him..
1999 Isuzu trooper thread repair kit for the timing belt tensioner. He says they have no listing.

Ya I kinda figured that already.

Went to Napa. They have the same kit,cheaper but no drill bit of course. Get the kit anyway.

Start calling around. Found a drill bit at an Ace hardware an hour away in Crestline,ca.

2+ hrs later return home with the 13/32 drill bit and started working on getting the car fixed.

Shouldn't be this hard to do a simple repair.

1) I call them the pentium generation. If it ain't got a computer screen then they don't have a clue. Set your expectations low and you won't be disappointed.

2) You should have ordered from McMaster - Carr online. Or you can look up the McMaster - Carr part number online and phone in an order. They stock absolutely everything regarding tools, they have a special deal with UPS where they get super fast shipping at a very low price and they pas that savings on to their customers. Order today and usually it's at your location by the close of the next business day, and if not definitely by the second day.

The McMaster - Carr paper catalog is nice and huge, but difficult to obtain. They don't provide it on request, and they don't sell it. They only give it for free to companies or indivuals who purchase enough from them. You can usually find the catalogs for sale on E-Bay. You really don't need the latest edition, and previous editions sell for significantly less than the current one. Some big industries that purchase a lot from them are sometimes a good source to get a free catalog from.

 

[Wingo]

It's aggravating because I'm not a few minutes from a store. It's quite a trek for me( my fault I guess).

Yea, I get it, I live an hour from town.

 

[02SE]

Wonder who makes them for Matco? Hansen maybe?

Having worked for a racing team sponsored by Matco, I can tell you they are made by Astro Pneumatic.