Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 00:37:09 -0400, you wrote: i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed About 15 years ago I put new struts on Wife's Dodge 600. ( piece of crap car that went about 200Kmi with very little work). I eyeballed the alignment and took it to local Sears for final adjustments. 2 or 3 weeks later there is a clunk in Front. Jack up car, left front upper strut bolt is loose, not tightened after front end alignment. I call Sears with flame coming out my butt. Young girl answers, can I speak to Manager? I'm the service manager. Oh Crap. I explain situation. I'll have it towed in. I ask if I can eyeball align and drive it in for faster service. If you do that, you will be number one on the rack. I get there, this little girl puts my car on a lift and tears my left front suspension apart (Removes spindle!) in about 20 minutes. Checks for damage, reassembles and hands off to another tech to do a Lifetime Alignment. Thats my story, I'm sticking to it! -- Regards, Peter T. Arnold 2007 HHR, 2.4L/Auto, LT2, 12Kmi, No problems! 1987 300SDL 280KMI Inherited by Grandson 1995 F-250 PowerChoke 199Kmi 1954 Metropolitan Convertible, Hanger Queen Wife has a Cruizer, 80 Kmi, as reliable as an Ice Box, the car that is! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Peter, And I'll bet the lady reamed the tech who did the original job after you left. She did not get to where she was by being cute female. Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Peter T. Arnold Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 6:45 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 00:37:09 -0400, you wrote: i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed About 15 years ago I put new struts on Wife's Dodge 600. ( piece of crap car that went about 200Kmi with very little work). I eyeballed the alignment and took it to local Sears for final adjustments. 2 or 3 weeks later there is a clunk in Front. Jack up car, left front upper strut bolt is loose, not tightened after front end alignment. I call Sears with flame coming out my butt. Young girl answers, can I speak to Manager? I'm the service manager. Oh Crap. I explain situation. I'll have it towed in. I ask if I can eyeball align and drive it in for faster service. If you do that, you will be number one on the rack. I get there, this little girl puts my car on a lift and tears my left front suspension apart (Removes spindle!) in about 20 minutes. Checks for damage, reassembles and hands off to another tech to do a Lifetime Alignment. Thats my story, I'm sticking to it! -- Regards, Peter T. Arnold 2007 HHR, 2.4L/Auto, LT2, 12Kmi, No problems! 1987 300SDL 280KMI Inherited by Grandson 1995 F-250 PowerChoke 199Kmi 1954 Metropolitan Convertible, Hanger Queen Wife has a Cruizer, 80 Kmi, as reliable as an Ice Box, the car that is! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Peter told us: I get there, this little girl puts my car on a lift and tears my left front suspension apart (Removes spindle!) in about 20 minutes. Checks for damage, reassembles... I think I'm in love Bob R. Waiting For Rain, AZ ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Very nice. That's the way things should be taken care of. Mike On Wed, 4 Jul 2007 00:37:09 -0400, you wrote: i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed About 15 years ago I put new struts on Wife's Dodge 600. ( piece of crap car that went about 200Kmi with very little work). I eyeballed the alignment and took it to local Sears for final adjustments. 2 or 3 weeks later there is a clunk in Front. Jack up car, left front upper strut bolt is loose, not tightened after front end alignment. I call Sears with flame coming out my butt. Young girl answers, can I speak to Manager? I'm the service manager. Oh Crap. I explain situation. I'll have it towed in. I ask if I can eyeball align and drive it in for faster service. If you do that, you will be number one on the rack. I get there, this little girl puts my car on a lift and tears my left front suspension apart (Removes spindle!) in about 20 minutes. Checks for damage, reassembles and hands off to another tech to do a Lifetime Alignment. Thats my story, I'm sticking to it! -- Regards, Peter T. Arnold 2007 HHR, 2.4L/Auto, LT2, 12Kmi, No problems! 1987 300SDL 280KMI Inherited by Grandson 1995 F-250 PowerChoke 199Kmi 1954 Metropolitan Convertible, Hanger Queen Wife has a Cruizer, 80 Kmi, as reliable as an Ice Box, the car that is! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
I'm in love too. Bob, if you want some rain, come visit me, or I'll send you some. Our river is way it's dangerous flow rate of 70,000 cfs at 205,000cfs. Every other creek has been at full capacity for about a month now, and it's still raining today. Luther On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 08:11:01 -0500, Robert Rentfro [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Peter told us: I get there, this little girl puts my car on a lift and tears my left front suspension apart (Removes spindle!) in about 20 minutes. Checks for damage, reassembles... I think I'm in love Bob R. Waiting For Rain, AZ -- Luther KB5QHUAlma, Ark '87 300SDL (272,xxx mi) head case '85 Ford F250 6.9 diesel (x58,xxx mi) BioBeast '82 300CD (166 kmi) '82 300D (74 kmi) getting donor engine-sold '85 300D (280,176) parts car sans engine ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Ahh good old indicator lubricant, what would we do without it. I'm still using dino fluid but am thinking of going over to synthetic. Apparently it is better for the balance circuit, or equilibrium circuit as some call it, and we all know what happens when the blinker fluid gets out of balance. Anyway, I can't believe I spelt equilibrium right the first time, you know how it is, not sure how to spell a word so I'll punch in something I think is close to it and let the spell checker do the rest. So unless there is another word close to equilibrium I guess I got ityaahy (oooh, spell checker didn't like that one) - Original Message - From: Tom Hargrave [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Mercedes Discussion List' mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 2:14 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Blinker fluid? I bet I could ask any of the local discount part shops for that magic stuff the clerk would actually try to look it up for me! Thanks, Tom Hargrave ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Having spent about half my career in Customer Service under the guise of technical support I can tell you honestly its worse when you've been in the business. The only tip I can give you is to start every call (as a customer) all peaches and cream and keep the sharpened steel under wraps until you need it. Then when the steel is needed bring it out slowly, just a peek at first. All support people I know work under the I give what I get theory. That is I'm nice and competant until the customer isn't polite to me, then I suddenly lose all will to live and courtesy flies out the window. Anyway on the subject of Autozone I can tell you its a crapshoot. The one near me has one guy for a manager that is such a turkey that I won't talk to him. Theres a woman that works there thats totally hotshot, very willing to help, won't try to snow you. Now the Advance Auto in town is new so you think they'd try to put their best face forward. Not at all. Lazy incompetant help all over. Theres a NAPA near work where if you can get past the gruffness of the old guys working there is outstanding. Of course everything there is a premium price but its the RIGHT PART and it won't fail next week... -Curt Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2007 00:37:09 -0400 From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com, Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. snip - Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Curt, You hit on something with NAPA. They sell higher quality parts than the others, probably as a quality as the parts Rusty sells. I just hope that competition does not bring down their quality. In the mean time, I'll happily pay 2X, 3X or 4X the other guys price for a hose or belt, with the understanding that I will not be replacing the part next year. Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Curt Raymond Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 7:35 AM To: Diesel List Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Having spent about half my career in Customer Service under the guise of technical support I can tell you honestly its worse when you've been in the business. The only tip I can give you is to start every call (as a customer) all peaches and cream and keep the sharpened steel under wraps until you need it. Then when the steel is needed bring it out slowly, just a peek at first. All support people I know work under the I give what I get theory. That is I'm nice and competant until the customer isn't polite to me, then I suddenly lose all will to live and courtesy flies out the window. Anyway on the subject of Autozone I can tell you its a crapshoot. The one near me has one guy for a manager that is such a turkey that I won't talk to him. Theres a woman that works there thats totally hotshot, very willing to help, won't try to snow you. Now the Advance Auto in town is new so you think they'd try to put their best face forward. Not at all. Lazy incompetant help all over. Theres a NAPA near work where if you can get past the gruffness of the old guys working there is outstanding. Of course everything there is a premium price but its the RIGHT PART and it won't fail next week... -Curt Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2007 00:37:09 -0400 From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com, Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. snip - Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
I suggest that service people often try to hide their ineptitude behind an accusation that the customer is being impolite. I had lunch with my accountant yesterday and he was telling me about a recent run-in with the tax department. They had applied a payment on an account to the future as an installment payment instead of to already outstanding taxes owing. He called to get it straightened out and spoke to some dolt who did not seem able to understand what he wanted them to do. He says he was extremely patient and tried a number of times to get the person to understand what he was telling them. The government employee became upset and accused him of being rude. He says at that point he politely asked what he had said that could be construed as rude and suggested that the truth was that she was being rude to him. She then hung up on him. Got to love dealing with the tax man! Randy -Original Message- or at least part of it Having spent about half my career in Customer Service under the guise of technical support I can tell you honestly its worse when you've been in the business. The only tip I can give you is to start every call (as a customer) all peaches and cream and keep the sharpened steel under wraps until you need it. Then when the steel is needed bring it out slowly, just a peek at first. All support people I know work under the I give what I get theory. That is I'm nice and competant until the customer isn't polite to me, then I suddenly lose all will to live and courtesy flies out the window. -Curt ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
I'm not all that familiar with NAPA but I do know that the local parts chain that I use generally has about 3 grades of parts readily available. You can get cheap, better or pretty good. The cost differential is big between the cheapest junk and the good stuff. If you ask for the good stuff they are happy to sell it to you. I think the problem is that many places are so accustomed to people wanting the best price that they don't always ask if you want something better and if you don't tell them so, you get the cheap junk. I helped a nephew fix his S10 Chevy truck a couple of years back and he got ball joints that I was reluctant to install. It is a bit frightening to think what might be coming down the road at you. randy -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Rick Knoble Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 12:14 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone You hit on something with NAPA. They sell higher quality parts than the others, probably as a quality as the parts Rusty sells. I just hope that competition does not bring down their quality. In the mean time, I'll happily pay 2X, 3X or 4X the other guys price for a hose or belt, with the understanding that I will not be replacing the part next year. I thoroughly agree. Several years ago I needed to rebuild the front end on a 3/4 ton Chevy truck. I bought the AZ lifetime warrantee crap. China junk I 'spose. Lasted a year. Never again. I lothe front end work, even with free parts. Sadly, the NAPA in my town has closed. For all my domestic auto parts needs I buy from www.rockauto.com . OEM quality parts, delivered quickly. Obviously, for all of my foriegn auto needs, I turn to Rusty. He can get OEM quality parts for Asian and European makes. Rick Knoble 190 dt 300 cd ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
You hit on something with NAPA. They sell higher quality parts than the others, probably as a quality as the parts Rusty sells. I just hope that competition does not bring down their quality. In the mean time, I'll happily pay 2X, 3X or 4X the other guys price for a hose or belt, with the understanding that I will not be replacing the part next year. I thoroughly agree. Several years ago I needed to rebuild the front end on a 3/4 ton Chevy truck. I bought the AZ lifetime warrantee crap. China junk I 'spose. Lasted a year. Never again. I lothe front end work, even with free parts. Sadly, the NAPA in my town has closed. For all my domestic auto parts needs I buy from www.rockauto.com . OEM quality parts, delivered quickly. Obviously, for all of my foriegn auto needs, I turn to Rusty. He can get OEM quality parts for Asian and European makes. Rick Knoble 190 dt 300 cd ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
i would take a gates or a goodyear belt just as soon as i'd take a conti
belt.
On 7/5/07, Allan Streib [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I think the NAPA branded filters are made by WIX, and seem to be a
notch above Fram and the other junk you find at AZ. Only other thing
I've bought at NAPA recently was new fan belts for my 300D ('cause I
needed them immediately) and they were made in the USA and seemed
quite good (still in the car, with no problems).
The thing about NAPA is that, at least locally, the counter people
seem to be more knowledgeable. I recognize the faces, too -- at AZ
it's always somebody new, seems like they must have a lot of turnover.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
NAH..Check it out for yourself..The crap NAPA sells is made
in friggin China like everything else in this country nowadays. I
alaways give the guys at the local NAPA crap about it..I read
the box to check on almost every part I get. Rarely do they say
MADE IN THE USA. I've actually had more parts warranty claims
through NAPA than any other chain but that may just be that I buy
from there much more often.
Mike
--
1983 300D
1966 230
___
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___
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Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
I think the NAPA branded filters are made by WIX, and seem to be a
notch above Fram and the other junk you find at AZ. Only other thing
I've bought at NAPA recently was new fan belts for my 300D ('cause I
needed them immediately) and they were made in the USA and seemed
quite good (still in the car, with no problems).
The thing about NAPA is that, at least locally, the counter people
seem to be more knowledgeable. I recognize the faces, too -- at AZ
it's always somebody new, seems like they must have a lot of turnover.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
NAH..Check it out for yourself..The crap NAPA sells is made
in friggin China like everything else in this country nowadays. I
alaways give the guys at the local NAPA crap about it..I read
the box to check on almost every part I get. Rarely do they say
MADE IN THE USA. I've actually had more parts warranty claims
through NAPA than any other chain but that may just be that I buy
from there much more often.
Mike
--
1983 300D
1966 230
___
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
On 7/5/07, R A Bennell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you ask for the good stuff they are happy to sell it to you. I think the problem is that many places are so accustomed to people wanting the best price that they don't always ask if you want something better and if you don't tell them so, you get the cheap junk. I just visited White Cap Supply for the first time yesterday. Had a nice discussion with the counterguy about the relative quality levels of American, Taiwanese, and mainland Chinese tools. He told me they had cut down their stock of hand tools recently and might stop carrying them entirely, because not enough people want the good stuff to justify carrying it and they can't compete for price on the Chinese crap with Harbor Freight. Alex Chamberlain ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
I even had to go through that at the VW dealer when I was trying to find a new oil fill cap for one of my diesel Volvos ( they have VW diesel engines ). The clown asks for model/ year and I try to tell him, just pick any mid 80's water cooled engine, and the guy just sat there and insisted that he needed the exact model/year to find one, after which I blurted. for cryin' out loud, just go back and grab an oil cap, they're all the same ...still didn't register...ended up mail ordering one. ---Robert Alex Chamberlain wrote: On 7/4/07, tom savage [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: One thing that always bugs me about such parts places is the need for year, make, and model before anything can be done; it always seemed to me that a professional should be able to pull a part off the shelf if given the part number. Exactly! You'd think that given the number of DIYers who are into swapping engines and making other such serious modifications to cars that they'd be more flexible. I used to have a '71 Dart with a built-up mongrel of a motor installed by the PO... I got tired pretty quickly of saying over and over to the counterperson Just pick any early-70s Chrysler car with a V-8 on the computer, go and get the part off the shelf, and I'll see if it looks right. The most recent frustration was trying to find caps for the A/C service fittings in my Isuzu (R-12 system with GM-style fittings). Nothing was in the computer, but only the one guy over age 30 at NAPA could understand that A/C systems are sufficiently standardized that there might be a stock somewhere in the back of the store of generic A/C repair parts he could dig through for me. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
NAH..Check it out for yourself..The crap NAPA sells is made in friggin China like everything else in this country nowadays. I alaways give the guys at the local NAPA crap about it..I read the box to check on almost every part I get. Rarely do they say MADE IN THE USA. I've actually had more parts warranty claims through NAPA than any other chain but that may just be that I buy from there much more often. Mike You hit on something with NAPA. They sell higher quality parts than the others, probably as a quality as the parts Rusty sells. I just hope that competition does not bring down their quality. In the mean time, I'll happily pay 2X, 3X or 4X the other guys price for a hose or belt, with the understanding that I will not be replacing the part next year. I thoroughly agree. Several years ago I needed to rebuild the front end on a 3/4 ton Chevy truck. I bought the AZ lifetime warrantee crap. China junk I 'spose. Lasted a year. Never again. I lothe front end work, even with free parts. Sadly, the NAPA in my town has closed. For all my domestic auto parts needs I buy from www.rockauto.com . OEM quality parts, delivered quickly. Obviously, for all of my foriegn auto needs, I turn to Rusty. He can get OEM quality parts for Asian and European makes. Rick Knoble 190 dt 300 cd ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Around here they have 3 or 4 Hispanic staff. When I needed fuel line and injector return line for the F250, I asked the lady at O'Reilly if they had 3/16 fuel line. She says that she doesn't know, and takes me back to the fuel hose stock to look if anything is small enough. There wasn't any, but I found some in their regular stock out front. -- Luther KB5QHUAlma, Ark '87 300SDL (271,xxx mi) needs head '83 300SD (246,645 mi) SOLD! '82 300CD (166 kmi) getting front end rebuild '82 300D (74 kmi) getting '85 donor engine-SOLD! '85 300D (280,176) parts car-sans engine Quoting Tom Hargrave [EMAIL PROTECTED]: All of the discount parts hoses have gone to different versions of the same theme. They dump all of the expertise into the computer so that the stores can staff with $8.00 / hour labor. Last time I was in AutoZone, I was looking for a electric choke heater for my 77 Vette. But a 77 Vette did not have an electric choke heater. I knew that a 82 Chevy truck with a carburetor had one it's the same carb. So, I asked for a choke heater for a 1982 Chevy truck with a 350 engine. I mentioned that I was going to install it on my 77 Vette, in place of the original convection choke heater the clerk's response was you can't do that, it's an emissions part. Uh, OK... Also, I agree with Gary's comment about staffing with women - once you get in this mode there is a definite advantage to hiring pleasant, female staff. Around here, they also hire at least one Hispanic staff. Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
It's not just the AZ's.Last time my dealer got a new parts guy and I was in picking up an oil filter (603.9XX motor) the guy would not get me ANYTHING without a VIN. The other (experienced) counter people would just go back and get me a filter. Angelo Giaimo 1990 350SDL ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Wonder how long it will be before stores like this are complete automats. You walk up to an ATM-like machine, insert your credit card, type in your VIN, specify needed parts, and out comes your package on a conveyor belt. I guess that's just like ordering from Rusty -- except you have someone you can call if there's any question or problem. ANGELO GIAIMO [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: It's not just the AZ's.Last time my dealer got a new parts guy and I was in picking up an oil filter (603.9XX motor) the guy would not get me ANYTHING without a VIN. The other (experienced) counter people would just go back and get me a filter. Angelo Giaimo 1990 350SDL ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- 1983 300D 1966 230 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
THAT is exactly what will keep folks like Rusty in business. Personal service has all but vanished in the greater world, (despite the fact that the jobs are now service rather than manufacturing) and the folks that play with old Mercedes are not going to be satisfied with a vending machine. Randy -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Allan Streib Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 2:01 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Wonder how long it will be before stores like this are complete automats. You walk up to an ATM-like machine, insert your credit card, type in your VIN, specify needed parts, and out comes your package on a conveyor belt. I guess that's just like ordering from Rusty -- except you have someone you can call if there's any question or problem. ANGELO GIAIMO [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: It's not just the AZ's.Last time my dealer got a new parts guy and I was in picking up an oil filter (603.9XX motor) the guy would not get me ANYTHING without a VIN. The other (experienced) counter people would just go back and get me a filter. Angelo Giaimo 1990 350SDL ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Rusty is much better, you can talk to someone with years of experience. Nothing can replace experience when faced with a tough problem. Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Allan Streib Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 2:01 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Wonder how long it will be before stores like this are complete automats. You walk up to an ATM-like machine, insert your credit card, type in your VIN, specify needed parts, and out comes your package on a conveyor belt. I guess that's just like ordering from Rusty -- except you have someone you can call if there's any question or problem. ANGELO GIAIMO [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: It's not just the AZ's.Last time my dealer got a new parts guy and I was in picking up an oil filter (603.9XX motor) the guy would not get me ANYTHING without a VIN. The other (experienced) counter people would just go back and get me a filter. Angelo Giaimo 1990 350SDL ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- 1983 300D 1966 230 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Tom Hargrave [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Nothing can replace experience when faced with a tough problem. VERY few people understand this anymore -- 'specially in the corporate world. Allan -- 1983 300D 1966 230 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Tom Allan wrote:Nothing can replace experience when faced with a tough problem. VERY few people understand this anymore -- 'specially in the corporate world. This goes back to the TQ mentality where only improvements that could be measured were worth doing. It would be very difficult to quatify experience and how it affects sales. Well, naturally anythings possible if enough money is thrown its way - but... there's a limit to how much is spent lookng for something the bean counters don't believe is wort persuing Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/ . - Original Message - From: Allan Streib [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 3:23 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Tom Hargrave [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Nothing can replace experience when faced with a tough problem. VERY few people understand this anymore -- 'specially in the corporate world. Allan -- 1983 300D 1966 230 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.0/887 - Release Date: 7/5/2007 1:55 PM ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Tsk Tsk Tsk, seems like a box of chocolates and an apology card are in order. I know it is hard to understand that a person with breast's actually knows something about automobiles, apart from putting the fuel thingy in the fuel hole when that other thingy on the dash says that there is not much fuel left. Anyway I have noticed that a lot more girls are working at auto parts places, I guess they don't steal as much stuff. - Original Message - From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com; Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 2:07 PM Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
eh, i graduated the new york city public schools back when there were still some old teachers from back in the day when there were standards. On 7/4/07, Sunil Hari [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: mendacious - your vocabulary puts me to shame. On 7/4/07, Hendrik Riessen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Tsk Tsk Tsk, seems like a box of chocolates and an apology card are in order. I know it is hard to understand that a person with breast's actually knows something about automobiles, apart from putting the fuel thingy in the fuel hole when that other thingy on the dash says that there is not much fuel left. Anyway I have noticed that a lot more girls are working at auto parts places, I guess they don't steal as much stuff. - Original Message - From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com; Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 2:07 PM Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- Sunil Hari 1992 300D 2.5T - 290Kmi - for sale [EMAIL PROTECTED] 513-205-7474 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
mendacious - your vocabulary puts me to shame. On 7/4/07, Hendrik Riessen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Tsk Tsk Tsk, seems like a box of chocolates and an apology card are in order. I know it is hard to understand that a person with breast's actually knows something about automobiles, apart from putting the fuel thingy in the fuel hole when that other thingy on the dash says that there is not much fuel left. Anyway I have noticed that a lot more girls are working at auto parts places, I guess they don't steal as much stuff. - Original Message - From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com; Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 2:07 PM Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- Sunil Hari 1992 300D 2.5T - 290Kmi - for sale [EMAIL PROTECTED] 513-205-7474 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Hi Gary, IMHO that's the standard MO for Autozone - they're always asking if they can help as I walk thru the door - asking again if I look confused (which is often) and always willing to earn their pay. I'll bet Rusty could use someone like her!? Take care -- Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/ . - Original Message - From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com; Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 12:37 AM Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. needless to say, i was in a pretty foul mood when the phone rang and it was the ex-wife with some sort of car issue. she is at the mechanic with her 92 300E being told that her windshield wiper transmission is damaged and extensive and expensive repairs are needed. i ask her what the symptoms are and she tells me that the wiper blade smashed into the window pillar and keeps repeating until it flies off. I think for a moment and say look, you're short anyway. just put a really short wiper blade on it and call it fixed. this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. within 3 minutes, we were all outside with a dozen wiper blades looking for hte perfect size and withing another 5 minutes we had our solution. she snapped on the new blade and we were fixed for $11. i was very impressed, so i asked her about the battery on my saturn as it sounds kinda funny now when it cranks. 2 minutes later, she is out with the battery tester telling me i have a dead cell. so i tell her to just give me whatever battery she thinks will do the job, and she tells me that she should put it in for me because i shouldn't be driving around with a battery that could fail me at any moment. i try to explain how i can't have her put in a battery for me as i have a street rep to preserve, but she says she does it all day long at it is really no big deal. and this is where it gets really charming. she pretends to be unable to break open the fastener holding down the battery and asks if i might be so good as to help her get it done. now that is downright brilliant! all my problems are fixed in a half hour for under 70 bucks. how different this is from all my recent experiences with customer service? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/885 - Release Date: 7/3/2007 10:02 AM ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
i don't doubt that women can know about cars, but i am concerned that many of the women working at these places are there for the wrong reasons. if corporate has a mandate that 25% of employees in the stores must be women and you can only get to 10% hiring women who are interested in cars, then you have to be suspicious of any woman you encounter at the store. my more important point though is that i found it ironic that i would end up getting good customer service at autozone after all the more likely candidates for customer service have failed so miserably. On 7/4/07, Hendrik Riessen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Tsk Tsk Tsk, seems like a box of chocolates and an apology card are in order. I know it is hard to understand that a person with breast's actually knows something about automobiles, apart from putting the fuel thingy in the fuel hole when that other thingy on the dash says that there is not much fuel left. Anyway I have noticed that a lot more girls are working at auto parts places, I guess they don't steal as much stuff. - Original Message - From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com; Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 2:07 PM Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
On 7/3/07, Robert Tara Ludwick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We used to have a gal in her late 50s working the counter at a local Napa. it was always an interesting sight to see all the regular customers lined up behind her, and the new guys behind the counter twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do unless a new customer came in. That gal could find parts for anything no matter how odd, and if it wasn't available, she could find something to rig that would work. Sharp lady. Then Napa decided to close that branch. I sure miss her. She was about the only person in the area who had a clue on what it is to run a parts counter. It drives me nuts how variable the standards are for counterpersons at McParts stores. At the NAPA most convenient for me there is only one person (a guy in his 50s) who is willing to stretch the gray matter to solve the customer's problem. The rest of them have the mindset that if it isn't in the computerized parts inventory, it doesn't exist. Autozone, same thing. At Schuck's (Kragen or Checker outside of Oregon), there is nobody with a clue, so I just go there for commodity stuff on sale---oil, blinker fluid, etc. Alex Chamberlain '87 300D Turbo '93 Isuzu Trooper '86 Lincoln Mark VII LSC ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
I've always had good experiences customer service-wise at AutoZone. I've also found them to be completely useless for Mercedes parts beyond oil, glow plugs, and windshield wipers. One thing that always bugs me about such parts places is the need for year, make, and model before anything can be done; it always seemed to me that a professional should be able to pull a part off the shelf if given the part number. Last winter I was in a less than ideal mood when I lost a glow plug in my 300D. I went to the local A-Z and asked for a Bosch glow plug, part #80006. Year, make, and model? Um, it is a Ford 9N tractor with a Kubota diesel in it, but I know this is the part I need and I've bought them here before. She stared at the computer screen with a deer-in-the-headlights look for a minute until her eyes lit up and she said Hey, I know where those are! She went and got the plug and seemed very pleased with herself for having found it all by herself. Last weekend I was in Evansville, IN for family fun time when the bulb-out light lit up in the S320. I went to the local A-Z, turned on all the lights and concluded that it must be a brake light. I went inside and asked if someone could check the brake lights while I pressed the pedal. It took the guy about 90 seconds of Okay, push the pedal again... ummm... again? before he could figure out that one of the brake lights wasn't working. We go inside, '95 Mercedes S320 Uh, um, uh, it says E320, is that it? No, scroll down. Eventually he figured out how to scroll down and found my bulb. I bought it and left. It didn't fit, the little nubs on the side of the bulb were oriented differently from the proper bulb on which they're 180 degrees apart. I went back found the correct bulb myself, and the dude couldn't believe that I would want a bulb other that what the computer said I needed, nor could he see the difference between the two bulbs. For real comedy, you should see what the computer thinks is an air filter for a 450SL. They're always friendly, but sometimes a little dumb. This is why I'm so fond of Rusty and the local dealer - I tell them what I need and I get the right part right away, and never the AC Delco equivalent to the Bosch part. Tom, wow, that was long ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at AutoZone
Many agreed: They're always friendly, but sometimes a little dumb. Wifey was with me once at one of those places when I was getting a little impatient with one of the counter clowns. The dude was justifying his knuckledheadedness by whining, we don't hafta find Mer-say-deez stuff very ofen. Meine Frau tried to help him out by reminding me, he hasn't been working on these stinkin' Mercedes' all his life like you havehe wouldn't know a Mercedes part if it bite him on his arsesettle down, spaz. Bob R Molten Asphalt Streets, AZ ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
On 7/4/07, tom savage [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: One thing that always bugs me about such parts places is the need for year, make, and model before anything can be done; it always seemed to me that a professional should be able to pull a part off the shelf if given the part number. Exactly! You'd think that given the number of DIYers who are into swapping engines and making other such serious modifications to cars that they'd be more flexible. I used to have a '71 Dart with a built-up mongrel of a motor installed by the PO... I got tired pretty quickly of saying over and over to the counterperson Just pick any early-70s Chrysler car with a V-8 on the computer, go and get the part off the shelf, and I'll see if it looks right. The most recent frustration was trying to find caps for the A/C service fittings in my Isuzu (R-12 system with GM-style fittings). Nothing was in the computer, but only the one guy over age 30 at NAPA could understand that A/C systems are sufficiently standardized that there might be a stock somewhere in the back of the store of generic A/C repair parts he could dig through for me. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Gary Hurst wrote: i don't doubt that women can know about cars, but i am concerned that many of the women working at these places are there for the wrong reasons. if corporate has a mandate that 25% of employees in the stores must be women and you can only get to 10% hiring women who are interested in cars, then you have to be suspicious of any woman you encounter at the store. Forget the man/woman dichotomy. I'm afraid of anybody under the age of 30 in an Autozone. I offered to replace a friend's brake pads, she got them at Azone, and they were way too large. Took them back, got the same bozo who sold them to her, and he admitted that there were many different pads, so he just picked one instead of finding out that she had 14 wheels and smaller brakes. I had a used rotor that I wanted to compare to the one he was selling us, but he swore up and down that there was only one rotor for that car. Guess what I found out when I tried to put the Azone rotor (for the large brakes that matched the first set of pads) on the car? Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
back when i drove domestic, i always dealt with the old timers at the main napa in atlanta. some of those guys knew every part in that massive warehouse in their head. alas, those days are done. On 7/4/07, Mitch Haley [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gary Hurst wrote: i don't doubt that women can know about cars, but i am concerned that many of the women working at these places are there for the wrong reasons. if corporate has a mandate that 25% of employees in the stores must be women and you can only get to 10% hiring women who are interested in cars, then you have to be suspicious of any woman you encounter at the store. Forget the man/woman dichotomy. I'm afraid of anybody under the age of 30 in an Autozone. I offered to replace a friend's brake pads, she got them at Azone, and they were way too large. Took them back, got the same bozo who sold them to her, and he admitted that there were many different pads, so he just picked one instead of finding out that she had 14 wheels and smaller brakes. I had a used rotor that I wanted to compare to the one he was selling us, but he swore up and down that there was only one rotor for that car. Guess what I found out when I tried to put the Azone rotor (for the large brakes that matched the first set of pads) on the car? Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Oh so subtle Larry. Mike Hi Gary, IMHO that's the standard MO for Autozone - they're always asking if they can help as I walk thru the door - asking again if I look confused (which is often) and always willing to earn their pay. I'll bet Rusty could use someone like her!? Take care -- Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/ . - Original Message - From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com; Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 12:37 AM Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. needless to say, i was in a pretty foul mood when the phone rang and it was the ex-wife with some sort of car issue. she is at the mechanic with her 92 300E being told that her windshield wiper transmission is damaged and extensive and expensive repairs are needed. i ask her what the symptoms are and she tells me that the wiper blade smashed into the window pillar and keeps repeating until it flies off. I think for a moment and say look, you're short anyway. just put a really short wiper blade on it and call it fixed. this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. within 3 minutes, we were all outside with a dozen wiper blades looking for hte perfect size and withing another 5 minutes we had our solution. she snapped on the new blade and we were fixed for $11. i was very impressed, so i asked her about the battery on my saturn as it sounds kinda funny now when it cranks. 2 minutes later, she is out with the battery tester telling me i have a dead cell. so i tell her to just give me whatever battery she thinks will do the job, and she tells me that she should put it in for me because i shouldn't be driving around with a battery that could fail me at any moment. i try to explain how i can't have her put in a battery for me as i have a street rep to preserve, but she says she does it all day long at it is really no big deal. and this is where it gets really charming. she pretends to be unable to break open the fastener holding down the battery and asks if i might be so good as to help her get it done. now that is downright brilliant! all my problems are fixed in a half hour for under 70 bucks. how different this is from all my recent experiences with customer service? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/885 - Release Date: 7/3/2007 10:02 AM ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Hi Mike, ;-) Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/ . - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 3:33 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Oh so subtle Larry. Mike Hi Gary, IMHO that's the standard MO for Autozone - they're always asking if they can help as I walk thru the door - asking again if I look confused (which is often) and always willing to earn their pay. I'll bet Rusty could use someone like her!? Take care -- Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/ . - Original Message - From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com; Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 12:37 AM Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. needless to say, i was in a pretty foul mood when the phone rang and it was the ex-wife with some sort of car issue. she is at the mechanic with her 92 300E being told that her windshield wiper transmission is damaged and extensive and expensive repairs are needed. i ask her what the symptoms are and she tells me that the wiper blade smashed into the window pillar and keeps repeating until it flies off. I think for a moment and say look, you're short anyway. just put a really short wiper blade on it and call it fixed. this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. within 3 minutes, we were all outside with a dozen wiper blades looking for hte perfect size and withing another 5 minutes we had our solution. she snapped on the new blade and we were fixed for $11. i was very impressed, so i asked her about the battery on my saturn as it sounds kinda funny now when it cranks. 2 minutes later, she is out with the battery tester telling me i have a dead cell. so i tell her to just give me whatever battery she thinks will do the job, and she tells me that she should put it in for me because i shouldn't be driving around with a battery that could fail me at any moment. i try to explain how i can't have her put in a battery for me as i have a street rep to preserve, but she says she does it all day long at it is really no big deal. and this is where it gets really charming. she pretends to be unable to break open the fastener holding down the battery and asks if i might be so good as to help her get it done. now that is downright brilliant! all my problems are fixed in a half hour for under 70 bucks. how different this is from all my recent experiences with customer service? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/885 - Release Date: 7/3/2007 10:02 AM ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
A good parts man will make or break a store. We use to order all our parts from a local Napa but when the 60 year old woman that owned it sold the store we had to switch parts store as the new owners did not know a thing. They had the parts in stock, but we could not get them... I currently order my Mercedes parts from Rusty, for some things he is more expensive but it is worth it to be able to call someone and just say I need xxx for a W126 and then get the right part. I called up Rusty the other day thinking about how long a call it was going to be as that I had broken an old vacuum check valve on my 117 gasser. Rusty said Yeap the blue one, what else do you need? That my friends is priceless! Imagine going to autozone and asking for a vacuum check valve. The other amazing thing is the parts Rusty can get, for example the plastic guide on my window motor when bad. Most car manufactures make you buy a new window regulator, however Rusty not only knew the part but sent me a new one for around $5. Of course for the most part I now just call Rusty and tell him to send me every part he has in stock, as that if I don't need it today then one of my cars will need it tomorrow. The local Mercedes dealer use to have a good parts guy like that, for example I went in and asked for a front seal for a transmission, and he said Do you want the pump seal too? I asked why and he said, Well most of the time it is a 50/50 chance on that transmission of being front seal or pump seal, and it is easy to replace both with transmission out. I replaced both. Trampas -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of LarryT Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 4:15 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Hi Mike, ;-) Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/ . - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 3:33 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Oh so subtle Larry. Mike Hi Gary, IMHO that's the standard MO for Autozone - they're always asking if they can help as I walk thru the door - asking again if I look confused (which is often) and always willing to earn their pay. I'll bet Rusty could use someone like her!? Take care -- Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/ . - Original Message - From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com; Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 12:37 AM Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. needless to say, i was in a pretty foul mood when the phone rang and it was the ex-wife with some sort of car issue. she is at the mechanic with her 92 300E being told that her windshield wiper transmission is damaged and extensive and expensive repairs are needed. i ask her what the symptoms are and she tells me that the wiper blade smashed into the window pillar and keeps repeating until it flies off. I think for a moment and say look, you're short anyway. just put a really short wiper blade on it and call it fixed. this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. within 3 minutes, we were all outside with a dozen wiper blades looking for hte perfect size and withing another 5 minutes we had our solution. she snapped on the new blade and we were fixed for $11. i was very impressed, so i asked her
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
this is the advantage of being a pre computer parts guy. nowadays, you punch in year and model and maybe vin number and you get an answer. you don't need to know anything. the computer tells you the part, how many you have, how much to charge for it, where it is located, etc. in the old days, you had hte chance to look it up a large microfiche machine. i remember microfiche in general. at the time, we thought it was quite nifty, but by modern standards, it sucked. in the microfiche days, it paid to learn all the parts. it would not surprise me if rusty could recite several thousand part numbers and descriptions from memory. On 7/4/07, Trampas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: A good parts man will make or break a store. We use to order all our parts from a local Napa but when the 60 year old woman that owned it sold the store we had to switch parts store as the new owners did not know a thing. They had the parts in stock, but we could not get them... I currently order my Mercedes parts from Rusty, for some things he is more expensive but it is worth it to be able to call someone and just say I need xxx for a W126 and then get the right part. I called up Rusty the other day thinking about how long a call it was going to be as that I had broken an old vacuum check valve on my 117 gasser. Rusty said Yeap the blue one, what else do you need? That my friends is priceless! Imagine going to autozone and asking for a vacuum check valve. The other amazing thing is the parts Rusty can get, for example the plastic guide on my window motor when bad. Most car manufactures make you buy a new window regulator, however Rusty not only knew the part but sent me a new one for around $5. Of course for the most part I now just call Rusty and tell him to send me every part he has in stock, as that if I don't need it today then one of my cars will need it tomorrow. The local Mercedes dealer use to have a good parts guy like that, for example I went in and asked for a front seal for a transmission, and he said Do you want the pump seal too? I asked why and he said, Well most of the time it is a 50/50 chance on that transmission of being front seal or pump seal, and it is easy to replace both with transmission out. I replaced both. Trampas -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of LarryT Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 4:15 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Hi Mike, ;-) Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/ . - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 3:33 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Oh so subtle Larry. Mike Hi Gary, IMHO that's the standard MO for Autozone - they're always asking if they can help as I walk thru the door - asking again if I look confused (which is often) and always willing to earn their pay. I'll bet Rusty could use someone like her!? Take care -- Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs Porsche Road Test http://members.rennlist.com/roadtest/ . - Original Message - From: Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List Mercedes@okiebenz.com; Banned List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 12:37 AM Subject: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. needless to say, i was in a pretty foul mood when the phone rang and it was the ex-wife with some sort of car issue. she is at the mechanic with her 92 300E being told that her windshield wiper transmission is damaged and extensive and expensive repairs are needed. i ask her what the symptoms are and she tells me that the wiper blade smashed into the window pillar and keeps repeating until it flies off. I think for a moment and say look, you're short anyway. just put a really short wiper blade on it and call it fixed. this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Blinker fluid? I bet I could ask any of the local discount part shops for that magic stuff the clerk would actually try to look it up for me! Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Alex Chamberlain Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 9:35 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone On 7/3/07, Robert Tara Ludwick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We used to have a gal in her late 50s working the counter at a local Napa. it was always an interesting sight to see all the regular customers lined up behind her, and the new guys behind the counter twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do unless a new customer came in. That gal could find parts for anything no matter how odd, and if it wasn't available, she could find something to rig that would work. Sharp lady. Then Napa decided to close that branch. I sure miss her. She was about the only person in the area who had a clue on what it is to run a parts counter. It drives me nuts how variable the standards are for counterpersons at McParts stores. At the NAPA most convenient for me there is only one person (a guy in his 50s) who is willing to stretch the gray matter to solve the customer's problem. The rest of them have the mindset that if it isn't in the computerized parts inventory, it doesn't exist. Autozone, same thing. At Schuck's (Kragen or Checker outside of Oregon), there is nobody with a clue, so I just go there for commodity stuff on sale---oil, blinker fluid, etc. Alex Chamberlain '87 300D Turbo '93 Isuzu Trooper '86 Lincoln Mark VII LSC ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
All of the discount parts hoses have gone to different versions of the same theme. They dump all of the expertise into the computer so that the stores can staff with $8.00 / hour labor. Last time I was in AutoZone, I was looking for a electric choke heater for my 77 Vette. But a 77 Vette did not have an electric choke heater. I knew that a 82 Chevy truck with a carburetor had one it's the same carb. So, I asked for a choke heater for a 1982 Chevy truck with a 350 engine. I mentioned that I was going to install it on my 77 Vette, in place of the original convection choke heater the clerk's response was you can't do that, it's an emissions part. Uh, OK... Also, I agree with Gary's comment about staffing with women - once you get in this mode there is a definite advantage to hiring pleasant, female staff. Around here, they also hire at least one Hispanic staff. Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mitch Haley Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 12:06 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone Gary Hurst wrote: i don't doubt that women can know about cars, but i am concerned that many of the women working at these places are there for the wrong reasons. if corporate has a mandate that 25% of employees in the stores must be women and you can only get to 10% hiring women who are interested in cars, then you have to be suspicious of any woman you encounter at the store. Forget the man/woman dichotomy. I'm afraid of anybody under the age of 30 in an Autozone. I offered to replace a friend's brake pads, she got them at Azone, and they were way too large. Took them back, got the same bozo who sold them to her, and he admitted that there were many different pads, so he just picked one instead of finding out that she had 14 wheels and smaller brakes. I had a used rotor that I wanted to compare to the one he was selling us, but he swore up and down that there was only one rotor for that car. Guess what I found out when I tried to put the Azone rotor (for the large brakes that matched the first set of pads) on the car? Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. needless to say, i was in a pretty foul mood when the phone rang and it was the ex-wife with some sort of car issue. she is at the mechanic with her 92 300E being told that her windshield wiper transmission is damaged and extensive and expensive repairs are needed. i ask her what the symptoms are and she tells me that the wiper blade smashed into the window pillar and keeps repeating until it flies off. I think for a moment and say look, you're short anyway. just put a really short wiper blade on it and call it fixed. this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. within 3 minutes, we were all outside with a dozen wiper blades looking for hte perfect size and withing another 5 minutes we had our solution. she snapped on the new blade and we were fixed for $11. i was very impressed, so i asked her about the battery on my saturn as it sounds kinda funny now when it cranks. 2 minutes later, she is out with the battery tester telling me i have a dead cell. so i tell her to just give me whatever battery she thinks will do the job, and she tells me that she should put it in for me because i shouldn't be driving around with a battery that could fail me at any moment. i try to explain how i can't have her put in a battery for me as i have a street rep to preserve, but she says she does it all day long at it is really no big deal. and this is where it gets really charming. she pretends to be unable to break open the fastener holding down the battery and asks if i might be so good as to help her get it done. now that is downright brilliant! all my problems are fixed in a half hour for under 70 bucks. how different this is from all my recent experiences with customer service? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Gary, I had a girlfriend one who was a better mechanic than I was I consider myself pretty knowledgeable when it comes to cars. She got so tired of being treated like a stupid broad at places like tire shops that she'd have her boyfriend (me at the time) act as a front man while she stood back quitely, listening to the mechanic. There are some very smart lady mechanics out there. I like how this one let you salvage your manhood by letting you release the battery fastener. Smart broad. Tom www.kegkits.com Quoting Gary Hurst [EMAIL PROTECTED]: i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. needless to say, i was in a pretty foul mood when the phone rang and it was the ex-wife with some sort of car issue. she is at the mechanic with her 92 300E being told that her windshield wiper transmission is damaged and extensive and expensive repairs are needed. i ask her what the symptoms are and she tells me that the wiper blade smashed into the window pillar and keeps repeating until it flies off. I think for a moment and say look, you're short anyway. just put a really short wiper blade on it and call it fixed. this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. within 3 minutes, we were all outside with a dozen wiper blades looking for hte perfect size and withing another 5 minutes we had our solution. she snapped on the new blade and we were fixed for $11. i was very impressed, so i asked her about the battery on my saturn as it sounds kinda funny now when it cranks. 2 minutes later, she is out with the battery tester telling me i have a dead cell. so i tell her to just give me whatever battery she thinks will do the job, and she tells me that she should put it in for me because i shouldn't be driving around with a battery that could fail me at any moment. i try to explain how i can't have her put in a battery for me as i have a street rep to preserve, but she says she does it all day long at it is really no big deal. and this is where it gets really charming. she pretends to be unable to break open the fastener holding down the battery and asks if i might be so good as to help her get it done. now that is downright brilliant! all my problems are fixed in a half hour for under 70 bucks. how different this is from all my recent experiences with customer service? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com Thanks, Tom Hargrave 256-656-1924 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Gary, Is this young lady available to try and do the same thing in the trouble spots the world...? Maybe world peace is not that far away. 0n second thought, just hope she does her magic on her little corner of the world Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing, Chuck ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
Think your CS issues might have something to do with being a sexist b*d? Or just the average consumer? Or both? --R (ducking!) BTW where I live there are about 3 banks on every corner (Starbucks on the other one, except where there are two opposite), so you can usually find a better deal somewhere Gary Hurst wrote: i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. needless to say, i was in a pretty foul mood when the phone rang and it was the ex-wife with some sort of car issue. she is at the mechanic with her 92 300E being told that her windshield wiper transmission is damaged and extensive and expensive repairs are needed. i ask her what the symptoms are and she tells me that the wiper blade smashed into the window pillar and keeps repeating until it flies off. I think for a moment and say look, you're short anyway. just put a really short wiper blade on it and call it fixed. this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. within 3 minutes, we were all outside with a dozen wiper blades looking for hte perfect size and withing another 5 minutes we had our solution. she snapped on the new blade and we were fixed for $11. i was very impressed, so i asked her about the battery on my saturn as it sounds kinda funny now when it cranks. 2 minutes later, she is out with the battery tester telling me i have a dead cell. so i tell her to just give me whatever battery she thinks will do the job, and she tells me that she should put it in for me because i shouldn't be driving around with a battery that could fail me at any moment. i try to explain how i can't have her put in a battery for me as i have a street rep to preserve, but she says she does it all day long at it is really no big deal. and this is where it gets really charming. she pretends to be unable to break open the fastener holding down the battery and asks if i might be so good as to help her get it done. now that is downright brilliant! all my problems are fixed in a half hour for under 70 bucks. how different this is from all my recent experiences with customer service? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] surprising experience at autozone
We used to have a gal in her late 50s working the counter at a local Napa. it was always an interesting sight to see all the regular customers lined up behind her, and the new guys behind the counter twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do unless a new customer came in. That gal could find parts for anything no matter how odd, and if it wasn't available, she could find something to rig that would work. Sharp lady. Then Napa decided to close that branch. I sure miss her. She was about the only person in the area who had a clue on what it is to run a parts counter. Robert Gary Hurst wrote: i've been having a terrible time lately with customer service. we changed our merchant bank recently and i've had nothing but trouble with them since. spent another 2 hours on the phone with them today. nobody there cares one bit. the employees are not only indifferent, but stupid, rude, mendacious and incompetent. needless to say, i was in a pretty foul mood when the phone rang and it was the ex-wife with some sort of car issue. she is at the mechanic with her 92 300E being told that her windshield wiper transmission is damaged and extensive and expensive repairs are needed. i ask her what the symptoms are and she tells me that the wiper blade smashed into the window pillar and keeps repeating until it flies off. I think for a moment and say look, you're short anyway. just put a really short wiper blade on it and call it fixed. this all seems conceptually beyond her, so i tell her to meet me at the local autozone (where i've never been before) and we will just figure it out there . we walk in and there is a young woman behind the counter (and let's face that fact that a young woman behind the counter does not inspire confidence at achieving any sort of solution at an autozone type of place). being in a bad mood, i start by asking whether she knows anything about cars at all or whether she is just there because they needed to hire a woman and i ought to go elsewhere. she then calmly explained that she had some minimal knowledge of automotive systems and i was welcome to present her with my situation and see if she can be of any help. within 3 minutes, we were all outside with a dozen wiper blades looking for hte perfect size and withing another 5 minutes we had our solution. she snapped on the new blade and we were fixed for $11. i was very impressed, so i asked her about the battery on my saturn as it sounds kinda funny now when it cranks. 2 minutes later, she is out with the battery tester telling me i have a dead cell. so i tell her to just give me whatever battery she thinks will do the job, and she tells me that she should put it in for me because i shouldn't be driving around with a battery that could fail me at any moment. i try to explain how i can't have her put in a battery for me as i have a street rep to preserve, but she says she does it all day long at it is really no big deal. and this is where it gets really charming. she pretends to be unable to break open the fastener holding down the battery and asks if i might be so good as to help her get it done. now that is downright brilliant! all my problems are fixed in a half hour for under 70 bucks. how different this is from all my recent experiences with customer service? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
