The Parts StoreAt what point did the auto parts store become such a nightmare? If you've been reading Car Craft for any length of time, you've heard former editors whine about the decline of the auto parts store or at least the employees who work there. I had always disregarded their rants as simply bad luck, a bad day, or maybe even the attitude they brought with them. Leading the list of their complaints was always the fact that no matter what part you are asking for, the guy behind the counter wants to know the make, model, and year. I don't think I have to explain the problem with that to you, the guy with parts from any number of different cars bolted to your ride. I'll wait while you count 'em up.
So as you likely know, I have a '67 Rambler American that is mostly Jeep parts with a mix of Gremlin, Concord, and Javelin parts thrown in. One day, about two years ago, I went into the common, everyday parts store chain to buy a set of brake bleeders. Since I knew the brakes were from an '83 Concord, I was smug when I answered the technical questions asked by the kid behind the counter. When I got the parts home, they were wrong. I had been using two parts stores-the one by the shop where we work on most of the Car Craft cars, and one near my home that is a lot more convenient. Both are the same store, but apparently in name only. The following day, I went to the store near my house and explained my case, but because they had been purchased elsewhere, I was told to return them to the original store for a refund. Fine. Back at the original store, I was told that because the package was open and they were discontinuing the line, they would not refund my money or exchange the part. The argument that ensued got my name deleted from their computer permanently (how I know is another story).
So right about now, you might be able to relate and are thinking nothing can be done about it. Wrong. I found the answer, and it was right there in front of me: the local distributor. Think about it. Professional shops are going to have a low tolerance for parts that are wrong, cheap, or aren't backed by the seller. That means the parts are going to be of higher quality or maybe even made by the auto manufacturer. I found two local parts distributors that also serve the public out of high-volume warehouses, and I quickly realized they carry only premium parts at volume discounts and really know what they are talking about. The business model of wholesale distribution, local shop service, and public sales is one that ensures the pay will be high enough to attract former techs and other knowledgeable people from inside the industry.
These guys quickly learned my name and what cars I drive. The crescendo came while I was picking up a set of brake shoes for the '67 F-250 I use to haul engines out of the junkyard. After greeting me by name, the guy at the counter asked if I was finally fixing up the Ford. You can't hug the parts guy, but I wanted to. I've since ferreted out another parts wholesaler near the shop, and I found that even though I didn't know what master cylinder would work with Concord brakes on a Rambler, the shop was willing to pull out the big books and discuss piston diameters and disc brakes versus drums. The shop also has a killer network of local suppliers that can get the weirdest of parts in just a few hours. I try to make it there early in the day because they will have my part by 1 p.m. if it's not in stock.
This got me searching for other hidden parts houses, and after some sort of miracle, I found three local speed shops that survived the invention of Internet mail-order parts. The first one is actually only a few miles from the Primedia headquarters in Los Angeles. If you live here, you know how unlikely that is. L.A. is so harsh on street-machine guys you have to ring a bell in an alley and slip your bottle through a back door for nitrous refills. Cash only. The other two shops are near the Car Craft shop and aren't so squeezed by city rules. They are a little more expensive than online parts sales, but they have never asked me make, model, and year, and they never get it wrong. They still exist, go find them.