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
. 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