is it just me, or is this guy a cheap ass.

[Blacdout96]

Just, and I mean JUST had a customer come in that left me and my associates in awe.

Comes in, and comes to my counter. He has a 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 and needs a belt for it. First, I'm shocked that we had it lol, and it was only 45 bucks for it (48 after tax). I grab it, tell him the total, and all of a sudden gives me a face as though I pissed in his Cheerio's. He said he called Advance Auto Parts, got a quote for a belt from them, and then got a quote from us for 41 bucks (45 after tax). I was suprised we actually tried to match the price since our quality is leaps and bounds above Auto Zone, and the bottom of the food chain Advance Auto. We matched the price no prob, but then he had a ****-eating grin on his face after we matched it as though he just saved 15% on his car insurance :p . He asked when he left, is the belt good? I said it's alot better then Advance Auto parts, to which his **** eating grin changed to a blank expression and left without saying another word.

My problem with this situation is that he owns a $50-$60K pick up truck, and he's really going to compare a Brake-o (Dayco) belt to our Gates belts, and bitch about 4 bucks.... people these days man. He's just as bad as that dude that came in earlier today and had a 2003 or 2005 BMW 325xi, asking for wiper blades. NAPA only sells them as O.E. Bosch wiper blades (Not exact fits or a.k.a Trico's) and go for 60 bucks for the pair. He laugh loudly into my face and said,"Oh, I don't think so,that's rediculous, I'm going to Walmart." Maybe I'm taking it to heart a little too much, they aren't my cars, but to buy an expensive, exclusive vehicle and then look for the cheapest route to maintain it......maybe you should just go buy a Corolla and be doem with it.

Now I'm waiting for the usual trolls Nasty, LTs1ow, and the other guys to chime in with their insults, but seriously, am I the only one in this boat that thinks its stupid to buy cheap-o parts for an expensive car? You may say maybe they can't afford premium parts, but I say maybe they shouldn't of bought a car that needs premium only parts in the first place.

/rant

[LTb1ow]

I feel so special to warrant a call out. :)

But yes, you are not crazy, I get that all the time, cept I sell parts from advance, so its even worse. :lol:

Jags and beemers are popular, but the most popular are the caddys... amazing to see how cheap people want parts, or when you install a battery and you see how rigged their setup is...

For teh record,I am the only one who agreed with you :rofl: nasty troll i am

[madness410]

i think you're right...there are some people out there who save money here and there and it does add up..my dad does it for groceries. but thats groceries...not a car

a high end car should have the best parts in my honest opinion.

there are also people out there who just dont care to maintain the things they own. i believe if you invest in anything you should care to maintain it. i dont have a top of the line camaro or a show car or anything but by all means i buy the best parts for it...just because i want it to last. these people may ignore that fact.

[NastyEllEssWon]

Just, and I mean JUST had a customer come in that left me and my associates in awe.

Comes in, and comes to my counter. He has a 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-4 and needs a belt for it. First, I'm shocked that we had it lol, and it was only 45 bucks for it (48 after tax). I grab it, tell him the total, and all of a sudden gives me a face as though I pissed in his Cheerio's. He said he called Advance Auto Parts, got a quote for a belt from them, and then got a quote from us for 41 bucks (45 after tax). I was suprised we actually tried to match the price since our quality is leaps and bounds above Auto Zone, and the bottom of the food chain Advance Auto. We matched the price no prob, but then he had a ****-eating grin on his face after we matched it as though he just saved 15% on his car insurance :p . He asked when he left, is the belt good? I said it's alot better then Advance Auto parts, to which his **** eating grin changed to a blank expression and left without saying another word.

My problem with this situation is that he owns a $50-$60K pick up truck, and he's really going to compare a Brake-o (Dayco) belt to our Gates belts, and bitch about 4 bucks.... people these days man. He's just as bad as that dude that came in earlier today and had a 2003 or 2005 BMW 325xi, asking for wiper blades. NAPA only sells them as O.E. Bosch wiper blades (Not exact fits or a.k.a Trico's) and go for 60 bucks for the pair. He laugh loudly into my face and said,"Oh, I don't think so,that's rediculous, I'm going to Walmart." Maybe I'm taking it to heart a little too much, they aren't my cars, but to buy an expensive, exclusive vehicle and then look for the cheapest route to maintain it......maybe you should just go buy a Corolla and be doem with it.

Now I'm waiting for the usual trolls Nasty, LTs1ow, and the other guys to chime in with their insults, but seriously, am I the only one in this boat that thinks its stupid to buy cheap-o parts for an expensive car? You may say maybe they can't afford premium parts, but I say maybe they shouldn't of bought a car that needs premium only parts in the first place.

/rant



lol @ srt-4...that must be one slow truck.

as for 60 dollar wipers...yeah you can keep them, walmart does sell the floppy ones for like 20. wanting to save 40 dollars for something like wiper blades is actually a big deal. if they have kids that extra 40 bucks can go a long way.

i do find it funny when counter jockeys try to act like theyre better than me when im buying parts or trying to save a buck...your job is to sell me what i ask for, make me happy and give me the price promised to me over the phone. whether its 3 bucks or 40 bucks....shut your mouth, smile and take my money jockey.

but its ok....this thread sure showed him :lol:

[BigAls87Z28]

Not sure on Dayco belts yet. We switched maybe a year ago to Dayco.

[LTb1ow]

Not sure on Dayco belts yet. We switched maybe a year ago to Dayco.

Haven't had an issue with one yet, and I am running one on my car as well, no issues.

I would be more worried about teh drive works stuff... :shock:

[V]

eh, ive seen it before too.

i can understand some of the things but occasionally there are things i just don't get either.

Like with my V and even back in 1998 when i had my '95 STS. Caddy parts and work are expensive. If i need something specific, ill do my best to get the best deal but i wont sacrifice quality. For example... when my car got backed into, it needed a grille. The dealer price was $573 and i would ONLY go with an new OEM one. Insurance agreed to pay the almost 600 bucks for it but i took my time searching for one and finally found one, being sold by a GM dealer brand new unopened in box for only 389. I saved $200, well actually MADE 200, lol.

for the V it gets top of the line stuff, my other cars... they get whats available.

[sweetbmxrider]

Maybe its not their car? Maybe its a lease? Maybe there is more to it then what you are seeing? Maybe they are getting a new car and don't want to dump money into a piece of ****? Maybe they know something you don't?

Maybe I don't know anything?

[Frosty]

It's annoying but you don't know the guy's history. Maybe he just got laid off from his job, maybe he just got put on disability, maybe it's not his truck.

But some people are just cheap...maybe saving $3 here and there allowed him to afford that truck, lol.

Maybe he's just an ******* and wanted to bust balls and save a few bucks just to make your job more tough, maybe you have sand if your vagina and you wanted to complain(j/k lol).

Maybe I'm rambling on in another thread.

[BonzoHansen]

Maybe its not their car? Maybe its a lease? Maybe there is more to it then what you are seeing? Maybe they are getting a new car and don't want to dump money into a piece of ****? Maybe they know something you don't?

Maybe I don't know anything?

true you have no idea about how long they are keeping the car, unless you asked i suppose.

I've never had an issue with a dayco belt.

but yes I hate cheap bastards. I buy mostly dealer parts.

[//<86TA>\\]

He has a 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-4 and


didnt know there was a dodge ram str-4:wink:

people are cheap, what can i say.

[WiMiMc]

i feel your pain, i work in retail and people always have something to complain about.

one time someone saved 30 bucks in coupons, then complained when one of their 55 cent coupons didnt double.

and i guess their expensive vehicles dont mean much to them as our "cheap" vehicles do. i'll always go for the better part, which can and usually is more expensive.

[Blacdout96]

As far as my typo....I read my damn post 3times, and then when I hopped into my car heading home it popped up in my mind...hey...did I just write SRT-4....DAMN IT!!! my two friends have SRT-4's, so I'm used to talking about them haha.

I see alot of people writing Caddy stuff on here...Northstar'ss are awesome engines...till something goes bad, then let the lightening up of the wallet begin. last summer my friend needed stuff for his STS. I had never worked on one before, only heard the horror stories. we take off an intake at the junkyard to check out what would be involved to work on one, low and behold the starter is under the intake!!! bricks were being **** out when we saw that lol.

Dayco's are behind the technology base for belts. I understand they were manufactured for the average walk in customer, so they have the quality to match what they are looking for. If you want to take that extra step, go with Gates. They just came out with a compound for the belts that don't crack, are less prone to glazing, and is stronger then standard compounds found in other belts...but it comes at a price, so if you're willing to shell out the few extra bucks for less headaches, come on down guys.

In all honesty I still have a Dayco on my car since, id have to say 2006 when I deleted my A/C, and I haven't had problems, but I do see a lot of rubber dust particles around a few areas telling me it dried out, and time to change. I've seen the destruction a Dayco can do, and how relatively fast they can go bad, but there could be other things such as was it installed correctly.

[sweetbmxrider]

So you throw on an expensive belt, then the tensioner/ac compressor/alternator/etc locks up and its destroyed. So then you buy another expensive belt for teh lulz?

[V]

yup, the hidden northstar starter, i found mine and laughed. Also, the job to do an alternator on a 95 STS takes a few hours, and you need to unbolt a section of the frame to access it....

[DaSkinnyGuy]

At least you won't get customers to complain about parts for this...

http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/wp-content/uploads/Ross/2009/Summer09/bmw_isetta.jpg

[Blacdout96]

AHAHA, had one at Laguna Seca this year. some BMW?Mini team came with one in BMW racing livery paint job....I'd of rocked the **** out of it.

[qwikz28]

Maybe he got to afford a nice car like that from being thrifty. :)

[F-Body World]

Some of those people have money one day and are broke the next. I hate when I sell f body parts to people like that. Example: guy drives 2 hours to meet with me to buy a mirror for a 97 trans am. He refused to have it shipped for $5 because he wanted to see if it was the same black lol. Ok what ever, so he comes looks at the mirror and says I'll give you $20. Now I told this guy $40 firm before he drove down. I told him just to be nice $30 is the best I can do since I felt bad. He got in his busted up v6 firebird and left with out it. sometimes it feels like you can give away a brand new part for free and still have someone complain.

[spina74]

being an EX pepboys service technician, I realized how cheap some people can be. Example many people ask the parts counter what size wiper blades they need, then after that they buy the cheapest ones possible which usually don't have those odd style conversion parts for it. Being that the installation was free I was always the one who had to tell them they bought the wrong blade and to go exhange it for the for expensive ones. Some of the attitudes I got from those people was incredible. Not to mention how badly people skimped on getting things fixed to save a buck or bitched about prices AFTER the guys at the service desk either priced matched everything and added the additonal % off or gave them an employee discount.

[ws6 jim]

SRT 4s or 10s aren't expensive anymore until they pull up to the gas station you savings bought him a gallon of gas. Good customer service

[qwikz28]

being an EX pepboys service technician, I realized how cheap some people can be. Example many people ask the parts counter what size wiper blades they need, then after that they buy the cheapest ones possible which usually don't have those odd style conversion parts for it. Being that the installation was free I was always the one who had to tell them they bought the wrong blade and to go exhange it for the for expensive ones. Some of the attitudes I got from those people was incredible. Not to mention how badly people skimped on getting things fixed to save a buck or bitched about prices AFTER the guys at the service desk either priced matched everything and added the additonal % off or gave them an employee discount.

Not trying to belittle anything about your story as I'm sure they didn't know this, but the best wipers I've found so far are the $6 Anco 31s from Walmart. Last longer, and wipe better than even Bosch Icons. And being so cheap, I don't care to use them to try and wipe ice off my windshield, like yesterday, since they can be replaced for cheap. Win-win!

[sweetbmxrider]

It sucks when the wipers blades don't break but something else does.

AHAHA, had one at Laguna Seca this year. some BMW?Mini team came with one in BMW racing livery paint job....I'd of rocked the **** out of it.

Do you pay top dollar for everything you buy? Shoes/clothes/gas/food/tv/furniture/etc? I sure as hell don't.

Do you ever look for a deal?

[LTb1ow]

It sucks when the wipers blades don't break but something else does.



Do you pay top dollar for everything you buy? Shoes/clothes/gas/food/tv/furniture/etc? I sure as hell don't.

Do you ever look for a deal?

Well, I mean... he diiid buy a V6 car... cheaper than a V8 car! :mrgreen:

[nj85z28]

Haven't had an issue with one yet, and I am running one on my car as well, no issues.




never had an issue with a dayco belt on anything ive driven

[HeadlessNorseman]

Not trying to belittle anything about your story as I'm sure they didn't know this, but the best wipers I've found so far are the $6 Anco 31s from Walmart. Last longer, and wipe better than even Bosch Icons. And being so cheap, I don't care to use them to try and wipe ice off my windshield, like yesterday, since they can be replaced for cheap. Win-win!

100% agreed

[98tadriver]

if that guy was really interested in saving money, he couldve called around first.

[Blacdout96]

being an EX pepboys service technician, I realized how cheap some people can be. Example many people ask the parts counter what size wiper blades they need, then after that they buy the cheapest ones possible which usually don't have those odd style conversion parts for it.

We only sell whole blade assemblies since designs depending on the blade company aren't the same, and when people have two different companies on theere since last time they only bought one blade assembly, it can get all screwed up, real quick. Well I love the old people who walk in, looking for refills, and when we tell them unfortunately we don't, man they get mad and walk right back out.

It sucks when the wipers blades don't break but something else does.



Do you pay top dollar for everything you buy? Shoes/clothes/gas/food/tv/furniture/etc? I sure as hell don't.

Do you ever look for a deal?

Depends on the deal. If I have to pay 3 dollars more for a much better product, then I won't be a cheap douche and barter with the guy to shave a few bucks off.
There's a reason why it takes forever for me to do a project on the car, like the C5 brake upgrade, I have one final thing to get and I can install, which is Stop Tech SS brake lines. My 3.8 block that I've been developing has all top of the line parts, and really is overkill for it as far as durability goes, but I don't cut corners.

Well, I mean... he diiid buy a V6 car... cheaper than a V8 car! :mrgreen: That car I'm sure has saved me recieveing some tickets, and every car I've owned excluding my 79 Camaro is a V6. And dude, you were doing so well being an anti-troll, but you couldn't hold it together :rofl:

[WildBillyT]

Some of those people have money one day and are broke the next.

Yup. Could be the situation. He may have bought the truck when he was employed and making a lot of money and is just getting by now.

But to the original point, you don't drive a car/truck like that expecting it to be cheap to run or maintain. I tend to notice this most in tire purchasing. Nothing like seeing a $60,000 car with Guardsman tires on it.

[91chevywt]

It amazes me, how people can really screw up their priorities. Gotta own that SRT10! but bitch about a $4 price difference between parts stores. If you can't afford to fix it, you can't afford to own it.

[Blacdout96]

It amazes me, how people can really screw up their priorities. Gotta own that SRT10! but bitch about a $4 price difference between parts stores. If you can't afford to fix it, you can't afford to own it.

Exactly, and like I said, it's one thing if we sold Dayco's as our flagship belt and we were $4 more, but we sell gates, it's a whole different ballpark, i was actually suprised we price matched that since their qualities are on different levels.

[LTb1ow]

Exactly, and like I said, it's one thing if we sold Dayco's as our flagship belt and we were $4 more, but we sell gates, it's a whole different ballpark, i was actually suprised we price matched that since their qualities are on different levels.

And that attitude is why I don't shop at NAPA.

[Blacdout96]

And that attitude is why I don't shop at NAPA.

WHAT!!!!?? oh NOOOOOOZZZZZZZ, what are we to do now? we lost a sale that has never been to our store. I guess i'll have to cross my fingers and hope we make it through the week and not close up shop :rollseye:

[LTb1ow]

No need to get all worked up, I am merely commenting that IMO, some NAPA employees have a holier than thou attitude. At least at the ones local to me, and that is why I do not make much of an effort to shop there.

[WildBillyT]

No need to get all worked up, I am merely commenting that IMO, some NAPA employees have a holier than thou attitude. At least at the ones local to me, and that is why I do not make much of an effort to shop there.

The ones in Flemington used to be real ********. As in drag them over the counter and beat some social skills into them. Now it's a pretty fresh crew over there and things are good. I think wretched's friends work there. I'll buy oil and wax from AZ but anything serious like a water pump, wheel bearings or blower motor and it's NAPA all the way.

[Blacdout96]

I've become this way because of the people in this area. I used to be the nicest guy here, but I don't know what it is about ocean county, but god everybody acts as though the world owes them, and that their **** don't stink, and it just grows on ya. Only peopel who are worse are North Jersey people ,and New Yorkers/ people with boats ( sorry jeff, i know you own a boat around here, but your to laxed to be in this catagory lol). And if they aren't holier then thou themselve, they are ****ing retarded, and I mean that in the nicest way possible lol, so my patience has been worn down to nothing. When I worked in Atlantic City, compared to here, people are nice in A.C.!!!

I want to get out of this field again because this enviroment is not healthy for me at all, and the pay doesn't add up to the ******** we put up with.

[LTb1ow]

You think you have it bad, think of the level of stupid that goes to a advance auto parts store....

Sometimes smashing my head into the computer screen is better off than explaining why the person's car is doing something it shouldn't for the millionths time.

[NastyEllEssWon]

judging from the posts here it sounds as if you are acting like you are better than a guy for his need/want to save 4 dollars on a belt. gates...dayco...goodyear...honestly a belts a belt, ive bought plenty of daycos and never had one go bad on me yet.


how do you know it was his truck? how do you know he wasnt working on the truck and trying to save a few bucks on the parts so he can make a few extra bucks? how do you know he doesnt have 3 kids at home and that 4 bucks would buy a box of cheerios which would feed his kids breakfast for a week? you dont, but youre quick to judge him.

but its ok...between you and your car something has to be quick right :lol::rofl:

[LTb1ow]

judging from the posts here it sounds as if you are acting like you are better than a guy for his need/want to save 4 dollars on a belt. gates...dayco...goodyear...honestly a belts a belt, ive bought plenty of daycos and never had one go bad on me yet.


how do you know it was his truck? how do you know he wasnt working on the truck and trying to save a few bucks on the parts so he can make a few extra bucks? how do you know he doesnt have 3 kids at home and that 4 bucks would buy a box of cheerios which would feed his kids breakfast for a week? you dont, but youre quick to judge him.

but its ok...between you and your car something has to be quick right :lol::rofl:



The nastiest of trolls wins again! :lol:

[91chevywt]

If the guy has hungry mouths at home, it's time to sell the SRT10 and buy an economy car, no? Call me old fashioned, but I think it comes to priorities again. Lots of people are hurting bad in this recession because they didn't get their priorities right and live within their means.

[NastyEllEssWon]

If the guy has hungry mouths at home, it's time to sell the SRT10 and buy an economy car, no? Call me old fashioned, but I think it comes to priorities again. Lots of people are hurting bad in this recession because they didn't get their priorities right and live within their means.



you are never too ''rich'' to save cash. its not like he was buying a used belt over a new one. he was trying to save a few bucks. when you have kids even the most amount of money doesnt compare to the money that you dont spend. he was, in the opinion of a napa auto parts counter jockey, buying a ''better quality'' belt...which if you look at the testimony in this thread is absolute bs. dayco belts are decent.


it just all boils down to this guy was trying to save a few bucks. i see plenty of people on this board buying parts off rockauto.com. no one is immune to saving a few bucks when you can get the same or better quality for less elsewhere. not even bill gates :nod:

[91chevywt]

There's nothing wrong with shopping around or using coupons to get a better deal. But it's different to complain about one store having the belt at a better price and try to get them to change their price. You won't see me driving around to different parts stores and complaining that I can get it cheaper somewhere else. This is why you call around, or check on the internet. If you can get it cheaper there, then do it! Some stores advertise 'lowest price guarantees' but 98% of them don't, and they really shouldn't be obligated to match prices. In my mind, it's the same as going to a diner and complaining about paying $7 for a cheeseburger when I can get one at mcdonalds for $1, and faster at that.

[BonzoHansen]

it is weaksauce negotiating a part price at an autoparts store.

[LTb1ow]

it is weaksauce negotiating a part price at an autoparts store.

Tell em they need a printed proof of said lower price.

Then, bertstare.jpg till they go away. :nod:

[WildBillyT]

it is weaksauce negotiating a part price at an autoparts store.

I agree. It's also weaksauce to assume that all parts that look the same are of the same quality.

[creeper]

I don't have a problem asking for price matching. Craftsman torque wrench is listed online for $25, in store $28. Screwdriver set listed for $22 online, $28 in the store. I don't like overpaying for things just because I live in a wealthy area and stores can mark things up all they want and not have anyone care. I make $8 an hour, I don't care what the cashier or anyone else thinks, if it takes a 3 second question to save an hour of pay I'm going to do it.

[Knipps]

I don't have a problem asking for price matching. Craftsman torque wrench is listed online for $25, in store $28. Screwdriver set listed for $22 online, $28 in the store. I don't like overpaying for things just because I live in a wealthy area and stores can mark things up all they want and not have anyone care. I make $8 an hour, I don't care what the cashier or anyone else thinks, if it takes a 3 second question to save an hour of pay I'm going to do it.

They also have to pay the employees & the electric company...

[HeadlessNorseman]

you dont get rich by writing checks... thats for sure!

[creeper]

They also have to pay the employees & the electric company...

I realize that. I don't go price match every single thing I buy, but when I go in expecting to pay a certain price I've seen advertised and then it ends up costing more, I get the advertised price.

[LTb1ow]

I realize that. I don't go price match every single thing I buy, but when I go in expecting to pay a certain price I've seen advertised and then it ends up costing more, I get the advertised price.

Just an fyi, at least for my store, our online counterpart has no connection to us, ie we can't match their pricing....don't know why and don't bother trying to figure it out.

We tell people to order stuff online and do local store pickup if they want the online prices.

[creeper]

interesting

just to clarify the only reason I have done it is because I saw the deal, and that's what brought me to the store in the first place; to buy that product for that advertised price. if I just walk in and see something I don't go look around online and try to find a cheaper price.

[Blacdout96]

Just an fyi, at least for my store, our online counterpart has no connection to us, ie we can't match their pricing....don't know why and don't bother trying to figure it out.

We tell people to order stuff online and do local store pickup if they want the online prices.

Online screws people up all the time. They'll come into my store after going online, seeing the price, they then come up to us, asking for a price, and we'll be a couple dollars more, and they get an attitude saying they saw it on the internet for said amount. They forget that unless it's a certain amount, shipping isn't included in that price.

[BonzoHansen]

As a consumer I find that terribly annoying. Even at places like Best Buy, Sears and Harbor Freight.

[Blacdout96]

I do too. When they ask for the zip code, it should adjust the price as to what you would see in the store.