Sometimes Computers Get In The Way

[JEBar]

Yes, I use them every day for first one thing or another .... that said, there are times when I tend to believe we'd be better off if we used them less .... today I went to an Advance Auto Parts in Willis, TX .... they had 3 fellows working computers at the counter .... when one of them asked me what I needed, the conversation went something like this ....


I need a small UNIVERSAL coolant overflow tank

He responded, I need the make and model of your vehicle

I told him I don't need a brand specific one, I want a UNIVERSAL one

He again asked for the the make and model

before I could say anything else, the customer beside me looked at him .... called by name and told him go to the table at the end of large shelf behind the counter and get a small one off of it

the clerk did so and guess what ???? he came back with what I needed

that clerk had no clue where to start without his computer telling him what part to go find


somehow - sometimes we'd all be better off not depending on computers to do our thinking for us

[rugrat]

I have had a similar experience like that happen to me at a few different auto parts stores in the past.

[BigAl52]

Sounds to me like the guy wasnt listening to what you had to say.

[fortyshooter]

Yep all the good small shops with parts guys that KNEW their stuff are long gone! I run into that quite a bit! Needed a certain length fan belt for my 1985 Mustang LX and just told the AAP guy what number it needed to be. He says need to know year make model and engine size.
Thinking of having some fun I replied 1985 Mustang LX with 427 Windsor type Ford engine. He said no listing for that and I replied it's sitting right there!

[Headhog]

Most of the counter help in auto parts stores today, have never worked on a vehicle. When something goes wrong with their car or truck, they take it to a repair shop. Then pay the bill and leave.

I needed a set of points for my old Harley and they used the GM points from the 6 cylinder 60's-70's engines. After making up a vehicle to put into the computer, the counter person walked back and found the right part. He then asked me if he could open the box just so he could see what points were.

Paul

[GeoBoy]

This is so true and it makes it very frustrating for us gear heads.

[dave77]

Back in the early 70's when I was working on misc. cars and motorcycles and other projects the one hardware store in our town (about 25,000 pop. back then) had a wall with floor to ceiling small wooden drawers with misc. bolts, fasteners and other small hardware items with a rolling ladder to get to the upper drawers. There was an older clerk who was always near by, even if you didn't know the name of what you were looking for you just had to tell him what you were doing and he would go right to the drawer that had the item you needed.

Individual dept.'s had no cash registers, they had a pneumatic tube system that sent your item list and cash to a central location and then sent you back your receipt and change. No credit/debit cards back then.

This store had many depts., the hardware store was most of a city block long and they had numerous other buildings housing a machine shop, canvas shop that specialized in manufacturing apple picking bags (Wenatchee was called the Apple Capital of World back then, many orchards inside city limits, not much anymore, still lots of orchards but they have almost all moved further out (spray drift in populated areas became a huge issue) although there are still many fruit warehouses in town or close by).

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Most of the counter help in auto parts stores today, have never worked on a vehicle. When something goes wrong with their car or truck, they take it to a repair shop. Then pay the bill and leave.

I needed a set of points for my old Harley and they used the GM points from the 6 cylinder 60's-70's engines. After making up a vehicle to put into the computer, the counter person walked back and found the right part. He then asked me if he could open the box just so he could see what points were.

Paul

I also had a "problem" with Points. I walked into an Advance store years ago and asked for a set for a small block Chevy. He said "I need a year and engine size". I told him it didn't matter, they are all the same. He then said, "I can't look it up without a year and engine size". I then said, just pick one, they're all the same. He still wanted a "year and engine size". I then just said just make it anyone and just blurted out the first one that entered my mind. I left the store shaking my head.

[Hatchdog]

Just like the Rock Auto commercials that play on TV.

[Grunt67]

Anything that is not in a pull down menu on a PC, is a lost cause.
The " people " factor is history. Kids dont know how to make change either.

[Koyote]

Computers were supposed to make life easier and faster, but they have gotten too complex. Seems like every time I turn it on/off something or another needs to be updated. Wi-fi works off/on with the printer which constantly needs updating.
When things get updated, some controls get changed. Web sites constantly bombarded by ads.
Life was so much simpler...
Olde Tymer