Pep Boys Has Gone Soviet Union!!

[Merkava_4]

I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked in there today. One line for everything!! They have
you stand in the SAME line whether you're turning your car in for service; checking out some
parts; or making a purchase!! It's so ridiculously absurd, it's hilarious!! They got the little metal
posts that connect to each other with straps like at the bank or the DMV.

I was standing in line for 20 minutes to look at their hub assemblies and their tie rod ends.
Meanwhile, the clerks behind the counter were coming and going; going about there business
and totally ignoring the customers standing in line. The lady behind me was waiting to buy
some floor mats for her car and I could tell her arms were getting tired of holding onto them.

The kid behind her got tired of holding onto the gallon of washer fluid and finally set it on the
floor in front of him; scooting it up ever so often with his foot. Every once in awhile, they'd
glance over at us and look at us like we're the scum of the earth customers that fell victim to
their new store layout. They're looking at us like, "You foolish people, don't you have anything
better to do with your time? Why are you shopping here?"

 

[Drew99GT]

I haven't stepped foot in a Pep Boys in years for the same reason. They obviously don't want your business, so why give it to them?

 

[RedCorvette]

You think with the economy this bad, people would be glad to have customers who give them their jobs.

 

[addyguy]

It's the fact that people just sit there and TAKE that kinda service that kills me - after 5 mins., I woulda been outta there!

"You foolish people.." Yeah, they're right - you are foolish for staying!

 

[NHGUY]

VIP auto parts in New England went to that format a couple years ago.I avoid that place no matter if its Sunday and nobody else is open.

 

[Unearthed]

Same here in CT. I'm done with them...

 

[stephen9666]

So Merk, what did you find out. What were the COO of the parts?

I've gone to local stores before and asked to see parts I know they have in stock to see where they're made.

I recently did this with some brake cables. My GF's beetle needed new parking brake cables. Advance had some, but they were made in China.

I ended up getting made in Germany GEMO cables for only a little bit more from Carquest.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
So Merk, what did you find out. What were the COO of the parts?


Proline = CHINA.

 

[mechanicx]

Pep Boys is kind of shady IMO. It's a bad place to work (not paying commission) and a bad place to shop. It seem to be a poorly managed company. I imagine the new store lay out was some executive's idea of how to improve the bottom line at the customers' expense.

 

[yonyon]

Step 1: Remodel retail store chain to provide an experience like a poorly run state DMV.
Step 2: Sell company to Gov't for five times market value for conversion to new National Motor Vehicle Agency.
Step 3: ?????
Step 4: Take over the world!

 

[sunfire]

They are going to drive away any remaining customers they have left.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I imagine the new store lay out was some executive's idea of how to improve the bottom line at the customers' expense.


We'll get control of those customers; we'll make them stand in one line!!"

 

[Mr Nice]

No wonder why their stock is in the dumps. I really love AAP. PepBoys will be the next Circuit City.

 

[440Magnum]

Second bonehead move they've made in a year. Our local PB stores still have the parts counters in the back, registers at the front, and service off to the side... but they did already undergo the big remodel that put *thousands* of parts that used to be out on the aisles back behind the counter where you can't examine and study to find a part that will do what you want- which is real important to customizers and hot-rodders. They claimed it was to reduce theft, but it was really to make more room for stupid stuff like motor scooters, air fresheners, wash/wax products, and cheap chinese generators and air tools I wouldn't take if they gave them to me.

 

[JHZR2]

Yeah I havent been a fan of PB for a while. Every store has their pros and cons, but PB just seems to be not with it.

I think it all started when they deleted Moe's cigar.

 

[Mr Nice]

AAP has 3 registers/counter parts person so the check out line moves very quickly. If 2 people are busy looking up parts.... the 3rd person becomes the cashier to get people out of the store.

I notice the AAP stores down here in FL has many women working there, I think that's so women customers feel comfortable dealing with female staff.

 

[spasm3]

Set your stuff on the floor and leave, enough customers do that and they will eventually open registers. I have gone to the grocery store manager booth, told him i have a cart full of groceries, they have the choice to open a lane and check me out, or i leave and they restock the whole cart.

 

[JavierG]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I imagine the new store lay out was some executive's idea of how to improve the bottom line at the customers' expense.


We'll get control of those customers; we'll make them stand in one line!!"

Merkava, that's why I usually go to the downtown Fresno location. Floor plan allows for multiple cashiers and service area has their own cashier as well. Plus, Harold, the nicest guy you'll ever meet is still working there, I believe. He's been there since the 1950's! The Clovis location is confusing though. First time I went there after their change I inadvertently walked right in between the cashiers. hee hee

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
Set your stuff on the floor and leave, enough customers do that and they will eventually open registers.


They've got registers open!! But you're not alowed to go straight to the registers; you gotta stand in the main line first with all the people waiting to pick up their cars and the people waiting to buy parts. It's the funnel processing line!!
The only thing they're missing is the take-a-number machine!!

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: sunfire
They are going to drive away any remaining customers they have left.


Can it wait a couple weeks? I need a trans cooler for my Jeep and they have the best price on a Hayden 678!