Parts Store Rant, the other side of the story

Yes, I will agree that the VIN can help, especially if you're going to the dealership and they need to V-bomb it to know what color your interior is exactly to be able to order up a seatbelt receiver, etc.

But there are common things which should be known. Why is it that if I call some of the box chain parts stores and have someone on the front counter answer the phone (after hours or on a Sunday when the commercial desk is closed) and I'm looking for a P&A on balljoints for a Ford Taurus I'm always asked for upper or lowers? Why is it that when my brother-in-law called his local box store and asked for a halfshaft for his son's Subaru he was told "sorry, sir, we don't carry half-a-shafts, only whole ones." Or if I'm working on the rear brakes of a 8600# GVW Chevy Express van the commercial parts guy at big box chain sends me over front rotors for a 1/2 ton, six lug, when I've given him the GVW?

Don't rant at the guys looking for parts. Though you are right: come with as much information as you can. Here's my usual info over the phone to guys I've dealt with for years: "'02 such and such, blank liter V6, 4 speed auto, bucket seats, console, interior color gray, exterior color blue, 4 round rubber things holding it up off the ground, hubcaps, two wiper blades, takes windshield wash in the bottle and air in the tires." The good ones laugh because they know their computer system is going to ask for some crazy s*** before they can even get to the part I'm looking for. The idiots think I'm serious and start writing things down. You need to rant at the at the idiots.

It's like the thread we had a while ago on rip off mechanics. It just makes the jobs of those of us who are honest that much more difficult because we have to work that much harder to gain the customers' trust.

Oh, and I agree with waggin. Some of the best parts guys I've ever dealt with aren't guys: they're women. Why is that?