my trip to Strauss auto

[tresvn]

I had time to kill while waiting for my g/f to get out of work, so I stopped at Strauss auto for a new air filter.
I find the filter isle and start looking. They don't have the size on the boxes so I start opening boxes to see whats inside. An older guy that works there comes over and asks if he can help. I tell him I need a 14x3 round filter. He asked what kind of car, I tell him the size again and mention that I've changed the original setup. He insists on knowing what kind of car, so I tell him and he opens his little book and finds my car 2 mins later then goes for the filter. At this point I say nothing, if you don't wanna listen too bad. he brings me the wrong filter I open the box and tell him this is wrong I need a round filter like this one and i show him one from the shelf  he tells me that's not what I asked for! I said yes I did tell you but you didn't listen, The dimensions aren't even right. Then he gets pissy with me and walks off. I didn't even ask for help and he gets mad that his listening abilities are lacking. Why bother asking what I'm looking for if your just going to be halfassed about it?

[jason.w]

I am a Computer specialist salesman at Best Buy, and I understand what you're talking about.  I have a few coworkers who are like that, they'll try to tell people what they need without listening to the full question (or disregard the question). 

At the same time though, you have to realize that even though you know what you're talking about, he probably deals with dozens of people a day who think they know everything and actually don't know squat.  As a salesman, I admit, some days you get several people into the store who think they know everything, and when a guy who sounds like one of them comes up to you five minutes later, you automatically assume he is another one. 

If I had been him, I would have said, "Oh really?  I'm curious now.  Do you mind if I take a look at your setup?"  That way he covers two bases... one, he makes sure you know what you're talking about, and two, he lets you show off your truck.  If he had done that, he would have discovered you know what you want, and he would have made you feel comfortable by showing respect for your truck/setup.  Some guys just don't care though, and those are the ones I dread working with. 

[Mowhawk]

Strauss sucks, they destoryed my breaks. They put on after market pads that were shit. They scratched up and destroyed my rotors, I had to get new pads and my rotors referbished. Before that they forgot to put on lug nuts after i got my tire changed. I spend 490 on those damn breaks and rotors at the dealer (and they did it right!) cuz strauss blows.

[Motorbrreath]

sounds like my experience with napa...

[Scott91370]

There is a guy just like that here.  I go in looking for a part and he insists on knowing what kind of car/truck it is for.  A couple of times I have needed parts that weren't going on a vehicle but they were auto parts.
I've done sales for over 6 years.  There are several steps to working with customers and #2 is listen.

[burban2002]

You've had problems with napa?  Around here, they're all old guys who know a ton about cars and are pretty helpful

[Motorbrreath]

well that is true, but they also have a machine shop in the back. I brought a y pipe up to them to get tapped for an o2 sensor and he looked at me and said "we cant do that". I said huh? " we dont do that. we cant do that. go somewhere esle"

Plus if you have to take someone elses credit card up there (ie mom or dad) they wont let you use it.

[burban2002]

Wow man that napa near you does suck.  Whenever I work on my parents cars for them, they give me their CC to pay for the parts.  The guys there never give me a problem and they put me on a big companies account so I get a discount.  Maybe its because im there so much, IDK

[BigRiver]

Ya know guys, all these shops are only as good as the employees that are working there. No matter if it's NAPA, Autozone, O'Rielly's or the little corner shop down the street, the quality and knowledge of the salesperson reflects on the shop. Your perception of that salesperson reflects on the store in general. If some smart ass gives you trouble, the chances of your return is slim.

Reminds me of a long time ago, I was on the road and had engine trouble. I pulled into a autozone in Texarkana, and the only available person behind the counter was a young lady. My thoughts were, "man I'm going to waste my time here".

Low and behold, she had her act together, understood my problem,  ( it was a cracked spark plug ), and fixed me up pronto.  Even loaned me a plug wrench to replace the bad one.

[Buford445]

We have a NAPA here in the small town where i lived (still shop there) I walk in "hy buford" Bought some plug wires for my tractor, they had to be cut to size, he loaned me the plyers to crimp the ends on with,(NEW in the pkg) told me 40.00 for them to use once, he said bring them back, and clean. I have called him after hours in dire need and he opened up. will shop there for everything I can

[Mitch]

Sounds like my buddy back home. He does not listen to anything anyone says. Tell him your birthdate, ask him what your birthday is 5 seconds later and he will give you a number 6 months off.