On Saturday I needed to buy some lock deicer, so I went to one of the largest tire and auto parts stores in town. I strolled through the store and up to the auto parts counter. There stood a young kid.I asked him where they kept the lock deicer.He replied with a blank look on his face "what is lock deicer,and what is it used for?" He didn't have a clue what it was. He had to go and ask someone what it was and where they kept it. What do you think? Stunned,Stupid,or Stoned. Probably all of the above.
John has a point, the same thing happens with car magazines. People write in to complain about lame tech articles about the basics, not understanding that some of the new readership didn't catch a similar story 8 years ago like the wiley ol' vetrans. We always expect our magazine tech stories to progress right along with our skill level, leaving the young 'uns with a blank, stunned, stupid or stoned look on their face.
And to Slim's point, you can't blame those young guys behind the counter either. Those computer programs are set up by the suits in management in such a way that it is impossible for them to get around all the useless info like: what engine do you have?.... auto or manual?.... A/C?..... Even though you are asking about an unralated part like a wiper arm or door handle, they can't get to the next screen without inputting something
....BUT.....They should try to keep your frustration levels down by knowing that the engine size, A/C etc. won't be a factor on a door handle and just input anything until the proper screen comes up. I guess, just like everything else, experience comes with age and eventually they get it - just as we did when we were young 'uns our own selves.
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"If I could get back all the money I've ever spent on cars...I'd spend it ALL on cars !!!
I'll bet it's because most (if not all) new cars come with the key with the wireless door unlocker. I doubt ANY young person, who wasn't exposed to vehicles without the remote unlock feature would have a clue what you are talking about.
Try asking for a manual window crank handle and see what facial expression you get. With everything having power windows now, I'd bet most young people wouldn't know what they are either.
The kid has to learn....We all start somewhere.....Our graves are all the same size, be humble, pay it forward and explain to the kid...he is someones son. Could be mine or yours....just sayn
That's me at the I-store. Everybody has their week points. Parents these days are too busy and self absorbed to teach their children common sense or any kind of deductive skills that don't require a computer or cell phone.
Hey, we ALL had to start somewere!! Many young guys today never get or got the chance to be brought up, knowing automotive basics.
We were ALL clueless at one time.
The kid has to learn....We all start somewhere.....Our graves are all the same size, be humble, pay it forward and explain to the kid...he is someones son. Could be mine or yours....just sayn
At least he asked what it was and asked for help to find it. Unless you were older, you would never have an idea of what every little thing sold in the parts department of a big box store was.
Jesus, I lose my tools in my own shop if there not glued to my hands some days. Never mind where to find 1 item in isle #3. lol
he s real smart he went and ask for help mostly every new car as electric door openers nobody use keys anymore old technology lolllllllllllllllllllllllllllll if you don t use keys you don t need deicer
My expedition has keyless/remote and 2 key entries. One on drivers door and one on back/trunk door. You get 3 tries with the code......if you screw it up it goes into anti-theft mode.
Great truck is running......yep, gas light is now on......and keyless/remote entry wont work. The only way to get in is to wait 30min for it to reset....or prey the back trunk lock isn't frozen over and you can unlock it with the key......
Not that that's ever happened to me.
I have used de-ice for other things as well. Not just door locks.
Sometimes I find myself getting upset with my son because he didn't know what tool, fastener or type of metal I was referring to when I asked him! I thought he's MY son with MY DNA and MY genes, HE SHOULD know! If I didn't TELL him, SHOW him or TEACH him, how is he suppose to know? I once had a fortune cookie that said " If you don't pass on the knowledge you have to others , it dies with you".......no.....wait ....it wasn't a fortune cookie......where did I see this phrase?
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I'd rather be in the garage! I'm old school, I use the "inches" side of the measuring tape!
the young man has a job, unlike so many of his peers that spend all their time playing video games in mommy's basement. asking questions to get the correct info is something that we are all familiar with.
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don't walk in like you own the place..........walk in like you hold the mortgage.
I don't Know what you people are doing wrong but I can ask the evil one any question at all that i know she has no idea of the answer and she will look you in the eye with the confidence of a drill sergeant and talk around it wile goggling the question on her phone. Sure We all had to learn some ware and help usually came after I was allowed to try and fall on my face a few times. Kids today got the world at their fingertips . I would of killed for that. I was taught by what I consider to be a talented and incredible group of tradesmen. By taught I mean I was a front line participant a blank stare would of got me sent home.
Hey, we ALL had to start somewere!! Many young guys today never get or got the chance to be brought up, knowing automotive basics. We were ALL clueless at one time.
Sometimes I find myself getting upset with my son because he didn't know what tool, fastener or type of metal I was referring to when I asked him! I thought he's MY son with MY DNA and MY genes, HE SHOULD know! If I didn't TELL him, SHOW him or TEACH him, how is he suppose to know? I once had a fortune cookie that said " If you don't pass on the knowledge you have to others , it dies with you".......no.....wait ....it wasn't a fortune cookie......where did I see this phrase?
my boss took a angle handle ratchet back to crappy tire . hands it to the kid and says I broke it . the kids holds it up , looking at the angle handle part an says wow you must be really strong to bend it like that .
I just bought a truck offa kijiji , passenger side washer sprayer was broken , seller was like yea I just never fixed it , they want 129 bucks at the dealer . I bought the truck , bought a sprayer at dealer 26 bucks , opened hood , slid hand under matting , popped line off , got clip un done , popped new one in an tested in like 12 minutes max .
But if my buddy Ron said hey man , can you give me my diabeties injection . I would be like Homer Simpson blink ...DoooooHHH ..77.
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I,m as cool as Milner , but axeually a bit more like Beckwith
I don't believe the story......
you said young kid and did not use "googled it" or "texted a buddy" in the same sentence. May he was not a young kid or maybe he was just "new-old stock" Be thankful he didn't ask 2 door or 4 door or paint colour.
If you look behind the plant in Oshawa they have a big dumpster full of uninstalled door locks, spare tires, block heaters and whatever you don't notice they saved a nickel on.
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Fords Rule ! If it ain't designed and manufactured in North America it sucks ! I don't do rice, pasta, fish and chips, sauerkraut, Ikea or other third world motor vehicle !
So he was smart enough to upload the question Kudos to him. Now put the shoe on the other foot. Every time I need a technical questioned answered related to computers, T.V.gadgets and cell phones and new technology who do I ask. Yup you got it a kid Think about that
The schools no longer have tech. departments anymore, most city kids live in apartments so no garages or parking lot repairs or even plumbing repairs inside. The modern cars can't be fixed at home anymore as they are too complicated. Ins. so expensive why bother can't afford a car anyway. I always think of my kids working Mcjobs and think about the crap these kids take on a daily basis from customers and bosses. Everything is different these days. These kids are somebody's son or daughter how would you like your kids treated. Maybe its a learning opportunity for both , give the kids a break , from what I read in these posts most older guys here wouldn't last very long with the BS these kids face. Ed
Yes. My son. 16. Works in customer service. Is treated like crap from customers. Sworn at and just plain ole treated like garbage. His employer is great. Customers horrible.
I hope to god I am not in there when someone is mistreating my son.
I'm guessing that South Shore meant well, but he sure is taking a beating on this one. I think service today sucks with the exception of a few good kids and adults. Adults can be just as bad! I go out of my way to fill out the comment box if someone has served me well and I don't mind leaving a decent tip. I've been in the service business for over 35 years. Good service and quality is hard to find.
I hear ya, Ghost post! My daughter has a job at a burger place and some of the stories she comes home with, WOW! I wouldn't last a day there. I'd be fired and or arrested for assault! Same deal, good understanding boss , but the spoiled, rich, entitled people that come in and want an adult burger combo with all the extra cost toppings and dipping sauce that EVERYONE else pays for, they want for the price of a kids meal!! Then when my daughter says she can't do that, they say they want to talk to the manager or they want the phone number to corporate headquarters! My daughter grabs one of the nutrition list/brochure and points out the phone number on the bottom of the page for them! She does this daily and WITHOUT attitude. I always tell her "You can't go wrong by doing right". Her boss loves her. When I go and pick her up at night the odd time, I'll wait in the truck because I don't want to be in there if an a$$ho!e customer is in there giving her a hard time! I don't know if I'm getting off topic, but I agree that times have changed and the attitude and common courtesy of the general public has also! Ever walk right behind someone going into gas station to pay/grab a coffee only to get the edge of the door in your face because they can't hold it open for their fellow man behind him? I ALWAYS thank them, sarcasticly without attitude. OK, NOW I'm getting off topic, have a good long weekend! (NO sarcasm)
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I'd rather be in the garage! I'm old school, I use the "inches" side of the measuring tape!
I hate when I see some cashier getting blasted by some "clown" about the price of gas/other and its not even their fault. My two daughters, one has fulltime job working with kids and for extra coin she works in a coffee shop lots of crazies in the morning! The other is in University and donates her spare time in a soup kitchen, lots of interesting stories there as well. I think the biggest thing with people is if their happy in their job it shows and if not look out!
You know what is so nice?
Family Day holiday........ for everyone that has a real (good paying) job.
Minimum wages parents that work at Mcd or Tims have to work, they only get christmas day off and the fat owners still want to open then too. All the "holidays" are rich (gov or teachers).
The whole world is going to ****, no stores care about customer service.
Walmart has their weekly bait and switch, put something on sale and have 3 on the shelf and hide it in a back aisle so no one finds it just like CTC. TSC has their sales on **** that is "limited to quantities in stock" which is none. Or stores selling TVs limit of 3 for the whole flickin chain....??? Bait and switch.
Have you been to sears? 3 sales people in the store (or the rest are hiding)
Would you buy tools from a store that will disappear? PrinceAuto told me when i tried to warranty a socket "its cheap china stuff, there is no warranty anymore on tools" so I don't shop there anymore. Who is going to get a lawyer to sue for a socket? That is customer service of today and the front line workers take the crap for stealing, scamming owners and companies.
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Fords Rule ! If it ain't designed and manufactured in North America it sucks ! I don't do rice, pasta, fish and chips, sauerkraut, Ikea or other third world motor vehicle !
The souloution starts with us . Just don't be that customer that yells or rolls ther eyes or other shows of contempt toward the workers. If your boss said do it this way or your gone and this was the only job available what would you do . I guess we are luckey in this area because I get excellent service at anyplace I shop. Kids or gray hairs all seam to try to help the best they can . They can't stock the shelves if the store has no inventory. I have an idea, if the store pisses you off so much ,don't shop there . I use local jobbers and stay out of Wallymart because there business practices are among the worst in the world and no amount of savings on cheap crap that is available everyware is an excuse to support there exploitation of workers and suppliers.
If I go to Princes Auto or any other discount store I know I am buying a quick fix and I don't expect long life.
As I tell my customers when they ask what appliance to buy. I tell them to buy what ever suits there needs and pocket book and have some leftover because remember you will probably be replaceing it in 5 to 8 yrs(if you are luckey)no matter how much you pay cause there all the same quality. Ed
Be thankful he didn't ask 2 door or 4 door or paint colour.