Our Napa still has the old parts books, for now. Who can say how much longer they will be around. Maybe its because there are a couple older gentleman working there, and have been there for years?
A little while ago, I needed some hydraulic fittings. All the other stores didn't carry them. I tried Napa, and an older gentleman opened up the parts book on the counter and was able to find the correct fitting. We thought he was going to have to order the parts, he went in the back, hunted around, and come back with the right fittings!
I was thankful, and impressed that they actually had them in the back.
It does concern me and is a little disappointing that they used to carry the high quality parts and brands right in the store, and now, they seem to be carrying the cheaper quality items and dropping the higher quality items. For my brother's Civic for example, they used to carry Made in Japan distributor cap and rotor. We replaced his tie rod end and ball joints years ago and Napa had the Made in Japan parts in stock. They were Sankei 555 brand. Napa is still carrying the brand, but, it looks like they rearranged their store brands and the high quality parts are in the Altrom range, which includes the Sankei 555. Well, our local Napa doesn't carry much of the Altrom range, they are stocking the cheaper Echlin range. I'm sure they could probably order the Altrom parts into the store if I went in there and asked. I'm just disappointed they are carrying in stock anymore.
I can understand it though, how many of their customers, when they come into the store and say they need this part, Napa carries a few choices, say Give me the best parts you have. Or how many say Give me the cheapest part you have.