[loknload]

When.... You head to the unlocal Home Depot which is about 4 miles from where I live and in somewhat of a congested area to get Weed killer and Lawn Mower Parts. Now they don't have the mower parts I need in stock :mad: (My Luck) :rolleyes: So I get the weed killer which they don't have the Gallon containers, just the small bottles and I head for home :confused:
So I head out the back of my place where there is a Major Mower and Farm Implement Shop :) I head over to get my mower parts,which consists of 2 filters. I walk up to the parts counter and tell the chap, I need the Air Cleaner and pre filter for a Briggs 5 hp. Quantum engine :cool: Simple enough :cool:
The guy looks at me and says "Don't you have an Engine Number" :eek:
Cut me a break :rolleyes:
So he whips out the parts manual and there they are listed, The two filters under 5hp Quantum, Didn't see no Engine Numbers listed :D
I just LOVE repairing things :D
Needless to say I got my parts , Now I've got to cut the grass :rolleyes:

[HiPower]

The lack of intelligent life is most stores these days is truly appalling. Try shopping for car parts at Kragen or AutoZone,that will really open your eyes. Thank God there are NAPA stores! :rolleyes:

[Queenchicken]

I hate AUTOZONE!! :mad: IF you are FEMALE they will insult you. People in NAPA are very nice.

[Grayfox]

We deal with this every day at work. Our Parts Man goes nuts with some of the morons he has to deal with. Granted, not all of them are this way. A good parts man is worth his weight in gold. But, we also deal mostly with the commercial guys.
But, for some things we have to deal with the same dummies the general public does and they make you wanna just strangle them. :mad:
We have several large commercial grade Toro lawnmowers. When we need parts our guy calls the local dealer, who is also the distributor and the only source for parts in our area.
The conversation usually goes something like this:
Us: "We need this part for a Model 1234."
Them: "Got a part number?"
Us: "Well no, that's why we called you."
Them: "Call me back when you've got the part number." CLICK! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[tatters]

I am a parts guy. 25 years in the biz (minus some Army time). I started in 1977 at the local Ford garage, then worked part time at a mom and pop parts store while full time as a purchasing agent at a foundry, then on to the Cat dealer, then to a truck dealer, then to the Army, then back to the Cat dealer.

We have soooo many products out there, it is hard to keep up. We have to ask our customers a bunch of stupid questions sometimes. The reason we ask these questions is because of the mass quantity of info available. Thousands of micro fiche, computer programs, and books.
Serial numbers out the rear, and that's what we go by.

For example, if you want a part for a backhoe, I need to know what the serial number is. It distinguishes it from others sometimes, but from one serial # to the next, the parts may be the same. We just don't know until we have that number.

Some of the older engines like the 3208 diesel are mostly the same, we don't ask too many questions of our customers then. But for the most part, if you want to be assured the right parts, we need that number.

[loknload]

I had to go back to the Mower Shop yesterday, The pin which holds the transmission rod to the handle broke. All it is,is a clevis pin with a washer and a push nut. Now I realize that there are parts that are model specific but Snapper does this the same way on all their self propelled push mowers. :rolleyes: I take this pin to the counter and tell the guy exactly what it is and next comes the magic question, "Do you have a model number" :eek: I said no I don't but it is exactly like the one you have setting on the display floor out there except 15 years older :rolleyes: So we walk out to that one and I show him exactly what I just explained to him and guess what? as my luck of the day would have it, "They don't have it in stock", had to order me one :rolleyes:
I don't know why I had him order me one because I came home and jury rigged it and it is working just fine :D
Maybe I should cut a little slack here because this place just started to handle the Snapper line this year ;)
I just love fixin things and buying parts :D