What part wasn't at store???

[BTDT]

So what did you go after that wasn't where it should have been? Parts house that didn't have your spark plug, lumber yard that didn't have your size board, fittings at plumbing supply, etc.?

 

[RobJ]

Generally it's the one thing I need or what the other store I was just at had.

 

[HomeBrew2]

It's gotten so bad around here that I gave up shopping for what I want and feel lucky if I come away with something I can make work

 

[JerryG]

It's gotten so bad around here that I gave up shopping for what I want and feel lucky if I come away with something I can make work

That is the way I have been for a while. Making something work is about the only chose you have sometimes.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

So what did you go after that wasn't where it should have been? Parts house that didn't have your spark plug, lumber yard that didn't have your size board, fittings at plumbing supply, etc.?

Lumber yard? The missing link is generally STORE EMPLOYEES. Never can find help.

Auto/truck parts house? NAPA mostly, generally have what I want or will get it in a few hours.

Tractor parts? Deere has it, I can't afford it. Massey can get it quick. New Holland is trying to outprice my Deere dealer AND they don't have it.

 

[bx23barry]

Stopped at autozone on the way home for some 5/16 fuel Line. They didn't have any. Haven't been back. That was a couple years ago. Never will go back.

 

[schmism]

Stopped at autozone on the way home for some 5/16 fuel Line. They didn't have any. Haven't been back. That was a couple years ago. Never will go back.

but you wanted fuel line... all i wanted was VACUME HOSE! and they didnt have any....

 

[Soundguy]

That is the way I have been for a while. Making something work is about the only chose you have sometimes.

I can remember buying the wrong sized spark plugs and having to use adapters, in an emergency before ( insulator on old plug broke ).

What's worse.. is calling the aprts house and asking about aprts you need, being told they don't have them, and then hitting town to make your round trip stops at a few stores to pick up a few parts here, and a few parts there, then walk in that store you calle dthat did not have the part.. and find it on their shelf... thus meaning one or two of the other stops you made were wasted.. because their store 'help' are clueless idiots..

While i'm on that soapbox.. Reminds me of radioschack. I hate walking in, and having the kid that works their rush up and ask if I would like to buy a cell phone, when it's obvious I alread have 2 on my belt, then, ask me if he can help me.. I tell them what I want, only to have him either say that 'no' they don't carry them, or walk to his computer look something up and say 'no' they don't carry them.. and then i walk over to the wall, and grab the item of the shelf... That happens almost every time i go in their now.. It's almost like a scene from 'groundhog day'.. same thing over and over... untrained store help.. etc.

Ok.. off the box.. here.. someone else can have it now..

Soundguy

Soundguy

 

[BTDT]

I had a parts guy that worked at the rental business I used to work for tell people that he had the part they called about. They would come pick up the part, go to put it in to find that it was actually the wrong part. By the time they came back parts guy would have gotten the correct part shipped in and exchange with them. He did this on purpose. He said he was guaranteed the sale this way, if he told them he didn't have part, they would go somewhere else.

 

[bjr]

Some one mentioned a lumber yard? What's that? I haven't seen or been in a true lumber yard since I was a teenager. It's all "just in time supply". That's not what I call it, though. The same with auto supply store. Unless it's a air freshener or polish for chrome wheels forget about them stocking it. Personall service from knowlegable sale people? Ain't gonna happen, welcome to the new order. I had to trouble shoot the TV cable problem for the cable installation guys last week. Turns out they had a bad line drop from the pole. The cable TV company outsources all installations to who-ever contractors (anyone with a small truck and long ladder on top). I know, I know this is just another rant. A guy gets pretty inventive always making do with what's available and learning to fix things, 'cause, we're on our own in this world. bjr

 

[Solo]

I think the title to this thread should be; "I can order it for you!!". Seems like know matter where I go that is all I hear. I have basiclly given up shopping locally for anything. I can order what ever and when ever I want to, the internet never closes.

Solo

 

[DieselPower]

I must be lucky. If I need lumber I go to the local saw mill and if they don't have it they cut it for me while I wait. Best of all a 2X4 actually measures 2X4 not 1 3/4 X 3 4/4, and they will cut it out of whatever I want. Oak, Poplar, Pine, Yellow Pine, Walnut, etc...

Lucky on the parts store front to. Got a fairly close parts store that has been in business long before I was born and is still family owned. In fact they have 3 generations of family working in the store. One of those good old parts stores that actually know's what your talking about when you need that special widget. Huge warehouse full of parts. Needed a set of front brake shoes for my 1952 Chrysler Newyorker last year and everyone else just laughed at me. Gave them a call and they said "let me do some digging and call you back". Called me about a hour later and said they had 3 1/2 sets of vintage 1960's manufactured asbestos (sp?) shoes and that I could have them for FREE. All I needed to do was come pick them up. I would be lost without them. A real parts store for cars, trucks, truck/tractors, farm tractors, rebuild starters and alternators on the spot, make hydraulic hose and lines, full service machine shop, radiator repair. One of those you name it they either have it, can get it, can fix it or can make it. The kind of store you walk into, get what you need and walk out saying "I love this place!". Name, Taneytown Auto Parts, Taneytown, MD.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

"just in time supply"

Can't you just see it? Walk into your local McDonalds or Burger King and place your order for a hamburger. As soon as they accumulate an "economical order quantity" they call the farmer and have the cow bred.

 

[frank_f15]

BJR you are right , around here there is no such thing as a True lumber yard. very many years ago there were 2 lumber yards, sold any thing you could think of and would cut and mill anything you needed, not so anymore! guess mabey i am just an old coot!!!!

 

[KennethBrown]

Shoot, I've done so much for so long with so little I can darn near do anything with nothing!

 

[MF1455v]

We have a really good tool store in town (Texas Tool Traders). If you can't find it anywhere else they will have it. But over the last year or so, everytime I go in I can't find anyone that seeks English.

James

 

[MossRoad]

While i'm on that soapbox.. Reminds me of radioschack. I hate walking in, and having the kid that works their rush up and ask if I would like to buy a cell phone, when it's obvious I alread have 2 on my belt, then, ask me if he can help me.. I tell them what I want, only to have him either say that 'no' they don't carry them, or walk to his computer look something up and say 'no' they don't carry them.. and then i walk over to the wall, and grab the item of the shelf... That happens almost every time i go in their now.. It's almost like a scene from 'groundhog day'.. same thing over and over... untrained store help.. etc.

Ok.. off the box.. here.. someone else can have it now..

Soundguy

Soundguy

Hahahahaha!!!!! Same thing happens to me there, too. It is fun to walk in and ask them for something, have them search high and low, say they don't have it, then walk over to that ever-shrinking chest of drawers and pull out a resistor or switch and smile at them. They have no idea what it is, and you shouldn't bother trying to explain it to them, because the next time you go there, someone different will be there anyway. Their turnover seems to be tremendous. I do miss one old Radio Shack guy that actually knew a lot of stuff. He was there since I was a kid. But once he left, that was it.

 

[3RRL]

Shoot, I've done so much for so long with so little I can darn near do anything with nothing!

KennethBrown, you are a better man than I am. Mine reads like this...
I've done so little for so long, I can do nothing with anything.
Now, I found ordering online is the ONLY way to go. Just have to plan breaking something in advance.
Stores in general suck anymore. Inventory is lacking, help is no good and too crowded anyway.

 

[Nasty135]

Yepper ; Have seen it time and time again and I'm in an area that has lots of stores... Perhaps they are all afraid to invest $$$ in products sitting on the shelf (that they may have to pay interest on) because their bottom line isn't that great to start with??

Had to go to two different lawnmower supply stores to get a full set of bushings for my neighbors rider and pay almost $20 for a set x2 (because they were needed now!) then found them online for $3 each

 

[PineRidge]

Needed another gallon of Rust Buster so drove to the local TSC to get some. Clerk said no, we don't carry Rust Buster, never have. When I got home checked the TSC catalog and sure enough Rust Buster was there.

The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.