Shaking my head in utter shock

PostPost by: holywood3645 » Tue Jan 24, 2023 9:07 pm

Just got back from one of the auto supply stores. I was looking for engine assembly lube.
Quiet day for them as no one was at counter as I approached, I asked the guy if he had any ‘engine assembly lube’
Reply: what car is it for sir?
Me: it’s for a gas/petrol engine.
Reply: I need a make of car to look.
Me: It to assemble a gasoline engine, it’s a general item! Most gas cars have an engine!
Reply: I’m sorry sir, but if you can’t tell me make of car. I can’t find it.
I should have said Lotus…. But there was no point.
I walked to the back of store where the oils are and found it in 2 minutes
WTF is the world coming to?
User avatar
holywood3645
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1102
Joined: 07 Oct 2003

PostPost by: StressCraxx » Tue Jan 24, 2023 10:14 pm

Lowest common denominator.

Requirements:
Breathing
Able to type into a dumb terminal
There is no cure for Lotus, only treatment.
User avatar
StressCraxx
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1425
Joined: 26 Sep 2003

PostPost by: mbell » Tue Jan 24, 2023 10:28 pm

Pay peanuts get monkeys....

I once tried to buy a set of generic spark plug leads from Autozone. There computers do not list Lotus cars before 1990 for what ever reason, so this guy refused to accept there was such a car a "Lotus" or just look up generic spark plug lead kits for me, even thou I had the parts in my phone. Autozone are now the last place I visit to find/buy something.
'73 +2 130/5 RHD, now on the road and very slowly rolling though a "restoration"
mbell
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2708
Joined: 07 Jun 2013

PostPost by: 2cams70 » Tue Jan 24, 2023 10:31 pm

Worse than that to buy a part for anything reasonably modern these days a lot of places ask that you cough up your VIN number or even your registration number. Big brother is watching you!
1970 Ford Escort Twin Cam
1972 Ford Escort GT1600 Twin Cam
1980 Ford Escort 2.0 Ghia
Peugeot 505 GTI Wagons (5spdx1) (Autox1)
2022 Ford Fiesta ST.
2cams70
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2050
Joined: 10 Jun 2015

PostPost by: elansprint » Thu Jan 26, 2023 5:35 pm

I have a GTM libra V6 and two ginetta both use parts from various sources and manufacturers just like the elan what's your registration number it's a waste of time. Used to go to my local factors with the old part and he would say fiest or metro etc waste of time now computer says No. Mind you not much difference when it comes to repairing them now
Ian
elansprint
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 525
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: 2cams70 » Thu Jan 26, 2023 11:26 pm

They want your registration number for their own data and market research. They are profiling you, your car and your buying habits. You’ll become a victim of target marketing
1970 Ford Escort Twin Cam
1972 Ford Escort GT1600 Twin Cam
1980 Ford Escort 2.0 Ghia
Peugeot 505 GTI Wagons (5spdx1) (Autox1)
2022 Ford Fiesta ST.
2cams70
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2050
Joined: 10 Jun 2015

PostPost by: Slowtus » Thu Jan 26, 2023 11:54 pm

Some snotty/sniffy comments here, not really needed.

I don't expect that those behind the counter, these days, will KNOW anything other than to punch in the data that their system requires in order for them to provide a response.

Yes, there are people out there who do actually "know" but like many of us, they are no longer in the game.

Be a little more understanding/forgiving...
Slowtus
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 427
Joined: 22 Sep 2017

PostPost by: h20hamelan » Thu Jan 26, 2023 11:59 pm

If minimum wage followed inflation $50
We should be at $80 here in N America
Parts people should be worth that, many mechanics become injured. Imagine having them at the counter! :D
Born, and brought home from the hospital (no seat belt (wtf)) in a baby!
Find out where the limits are, and start from there
Love your Mother
Earth
User avatar
h20hamelan
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1951
Joined: 25 Sep 2010

PostPost by: holywood3645 » Fri Jan 27, 2023 12:16 am

Slowtus wrote:Some snotty/sniffy comments here, not really needed.

I don't expect that those behind the counter, these days, will KNOW anything other than to punch in the data that their system requires in order for them to provide a response.

Yes, there are people out there who do actually "know" but like many of us, they are no longer in the game.

Be a little more understanding/forgiving...


A basic fundamental understanding is all that was required, and/or the ability to ask a question, “what is it” But to ask “what make of car it was for” and that was the reason gave why he couldn’t search for it. Maybe even do a word search.

I could find it on their website. He could have found it, if he looked!, I consider that punching data into a system.

If I wasn’t able to go pick it off the shelf in the store, there may be an excuse.
User avatar
holywood3645
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1102
Joined: 07 Oct 2003

PostPost by: reb53 » Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:29 am

2cams70 wrote:They want your registration number for their own data and market research. They are profiling you, your car and your buying habits. You’ll become a victim of target marketing


Not sure how that'd work here in NZ.
Your rego number doesn't tell anyone your name, email, or address.
It does, however, bring up a comprehensive list of numbers including engine, chassis etc.
Very useful if someone who isn't too car literate is about to order parts and has the year wrong, engine type/size wrong etc.
Here's mine if you want a look. :)

https://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=GZ76

Ralph.
N.Z.
reb53
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 942
Joined: 09 Apr 2005

PostPost by: HCA » Fri Jan 27, 2023 9:59 am

Maybe worse than the above, is the general attitude towards women where mechanics is involved:

A girlfriend called me and asked what oil to use to fill up her new quad that was delivered with a big strap notice saying it required oil. I looked up the spec, and wrote it on a whatsapp message. She asked at a local auto shop, but the man refused to supply the oil despite her showing my message, as, he said 'it could be incorrect...' I visited the same place, asked the same chap for the oil the next day. No questions - he produced the oil, took my money and wished me a good day!

I have often thought that if I were a lot younger, I could make a killing by opening an Emporium especially for female clients where they would be treated as equals...
Hal Adams
Evora S
Elan +2
User avatar
HCA
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1120
Joined: 03 Jan 2020

PostPost by: 2cams70 » Fri Jan 27, 2023 11:07 am

reb53 wrote:Not sure how that'd work here in NZ.
Your rego number doesn't tell anyone your name, email, or address.
It does, however, bring up a comprehensive list of numbers including engine, chassis etc.
Very useful if someone who isn't too car literate is about to order parts and has the year wrong, engine type/size wrong etc.
Here's mine if you want a look.


Your rego. number most certainly does reveal what car you own, your name, where you live and your address. Just ask the police.
1970 Ford Escort Twin Cam
1972 Ford Escort GT1600 Twin Cam
1980 Ford Escort 2.0 Ghia
Peugeot 505 GTI Wagons (5spdx1) (Autox1)
2022 Ford Fiesta ST.
2cams70
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2050
Joined: 10 Jun 2015

PostPost by: AshleyPark » Fri Jan 27, 2023 3:35 pm

In the UK the police will of course have access to the DVLA registration data base but the general public, or your local store, does NOT.
AshleyPark
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 95
Joined: 19 Feb 2017

PostPost by: reb53 » Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:50 am

AshleyPark wrote:In the UK the police will of course have access to the DVLA registration data base but the general public, or your local store, does NOT.


Exactly.
The facility to find out extra info has saved me a few trips back home when I've been getting some small bit for the wife's runabout and thought I had sufficient information, but was wrong.

Besides, I can't imagine some copper with a bit of spare time on his hands looking at his computer and saying,
" Hey Sarge, this bloke seems to be buying a lot of oil".
Sarge : " Let's have a look. He's running an old Lotus for goodness sake ! Perfectly understandable......."
:) :)

Ralph.
reb53
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 942
Joined: 09 Apr 2005

PostPost by: holywood3645 » Sat Jan 28, 2023 6:06 am

Have you ever wondered, why you even posted!
User avatar
holywood3645
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1102
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Next

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests