Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

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?

Lowest common denominator.

Requirements:
Breathing
Able to type into a dumb terminal

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.

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!

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

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

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...

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!

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.

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.

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...

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.

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 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.

Have you ever wondered, why you even posted!