Parts store clueless

[wvkenmore]

Went to get a coupler for a shredmore today and was told they had never heard of that part. This is the same place I have always got my parts but has been sold to new owners. She mumbled something about belts and I said these have no belts it is direct drive machine.

The girl at counter wanted to know hold washer was I told her about 12 years old and she said they don't make parts for that old of a wsher. I sure miss the family that had this place before.

 

[ken]

They better learn their business quick or they wont be in business for very long.

 

[mrb627]

Sounds Like A Good Time

to fill out a job application. They are gonna need some help from somebody in the know.

Malcolm

 

[rp2813]

Seems like they only speak Part Number.  If you can find the number for the coupler, I'll bet they have it in stock.  Then again, if they don't have any parts knowledge, they're in the wrong business, and you should take yours elsewhere.

 

[whirlcool]

Hell, parts for these washers will be readily available for the next 50 years. They literally sold millions of units. The coupler if probably one of the most commonly found parts of all!

 

[yogitunes]

yeah, basically, outside of regular and heavy duty, this is a One-Part-Fits-All.....

this sort of thing is no surprise for current parts stores.....

I went to get a spark plug for the mower, took the actual plug with me with part number on it, and the girl behind the counter could not sell me one with out the model number for the mower.....WTH!

same girl back a few weeks, needed line for the trimmer......who the needs a model number for trimmer cord?....I know what size I need, just grab me a spool!....

this last visit I made comment, very loud, she must be the boss' girlfriend....

even going someplace like AutoZone, to match a belt for a washer....the first thing they ask is what vehicle it came off of.....its not from a car, its for a washer, "Oh, we don't have parts for washers here!".....first you have to get past that they can't operate the belt measuring device...and then explain to the brainiac, 'who do you think built/created the automatic washer?'....GM, Ford, AMC...

and you just blew their mind to walk in the back and match a belt to the one you brought in.....

what ever happen to having experience for applying for a job?....or maybe mechanical know how?

 

[whirlcool]

If companies hire them off the street, let our computer system handle the job for them. They can pay people less. All these people do is use a computer to look things up and read the screen to the customer. They don't need to know anything.

 

[washdaddy]

millions of direct drive machines.....

For as many of those machines that have been sold, couplers are one of the most common parts they need to remain operable.

If you walk into a parts store and tell them you need a coupler for a direct drive machine and their response is basically a blank stare.....that is your clue to turn around and walk out the door and find yourself another parts store to deal with.

 

[washingpowder]

Makes me wonder how do they maintain stock and inventory...
There has to be someone who sits down and creates orders - do they just tick off anything out-of-stock on a list provided? How do they know which parts to carry and which are unnecessary?

 

[vacerator]

They have a manager,

and, or the owner to do ordering. Inventory is overhead, so it is kept to a minimum without running out.
I had the very same experience with Serv-All inc. The gal on the phone barely spoke English, and only could reference a part number by model and serial number.

 

[wvkenmore]

The store has about 5 feet of pegboard with inventory on it and about 10 feet of shelves. This used to be the maytag dealer and the maytag sign still hangs out front.

 

[vacerator]

area demographics

usually justify amount of inventory also. Small town, fewer customers, less inventory. The store may also not have much extra capital to stock many parts.
Lean market area.
Once the new owners rebuild their bank account after paying down the business loan, or what they used to purchase the store, they may be able to buy more inventory.
Are they young? They will learn. Lots of small businesses begin lean. Opening a second store can provide more revenue and capital so long as the rent is not too high, or the lot not too pricey to build on.

 

[pumper]

Went to eBay for my last two couplers. $5 + free shipping versus $23 + tax at a local appliance store. Two of the stores didn't even answer the phone, only the third one I called answered. I like to support local business, but...

 

[wvkenmore]

The owner has had store for about 4 years now. They were overstocked on parts and they threw most of it out as it was for old appliances.

 

[vacerator]

Threw out parts?

They are not very smart for sure. My folks took us through appalacia in the 70's, and folks still had wringer washers on their porches.
I bet there are plenty handy salt of the earth folks still there who have older appliances they may need parts for.

 

[Chetlaham]

That place...

Will go down hill and out of business very soon while the owners wonder what happened blaming everyone but themselves. It takes in depth knowledge on the subject along with treating every client like a teacher of wisdom.

One of my peeves are parts places that demand model #s in order to help you. In my case that is not always possible (want to stick different parts in like a Kitchen aid agitator into a Whirly) and the fact I know pretty much most parts are universal requiring no model #.

But hey, maybe they will learn. In the least I hope they put those parts on Ebay.

 

[lowefficiency]

Yep, that's right. The world of obscure parts has changed substantially in the past 10 years or so. That back room of "junk" for machines that "nobody" has anymore may have quite a bit of value to the audience on a nationwide site like eBay. It takes a little bit of time to list the parts, but then they literally just sit there and sell themselves.

 

[sbond22]

They literally just sit there and sell themselves .

Very well said.

 

[Chetlaham]

Ebay

Appliance dealers holding onto old parts selling them through Ebay have been a life saver. Most of the sellers are mom and pop places wanting to rid of old inventory and boy does it work.