Is your FLAPS disappearing, ...or generally a waste of time Options

[914werke]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) I remember when there were multiple differing parts suppliers including 1 or 2 thriving hot rod shops. Now its down to 2 or 3 which ALL carry the same thing & are staffed with a revolving barrel of monkeys. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)
The interweb & Amazon have killed your corner auto parts store.
I had a Worldpac account until even Redline weber started limiting the ACVW stuff they carried. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hissyfit.gif)

[Superhawk996]

I’m going to start with a premise that Advance Auto, O’Rileys, AutoZone, and the chain stores are not really FLAPS. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

FLAPS is the crusty local place that has an automotive machine shop in the back and a counter staffed by men who actually know the difference between a Weber and a Holly carb and have actually rebuilt a carb a time or ten. They should actually know what decking a head or resizing rods means and have the equipment and someone in house that can do it!

The counter staff should know the difference between a crankshaft and a camshaft. Ideally they might even have a dusty old Edelbrock box or two still hanging around from the 80s waiting for someone rebuilding a small block.

When I’m heading toward where the oil and filters are, the first question shouldn’t be what year, make, and model. There should be a greasy, dirty, dog eared paper catalogs near said filters that I can look up what filter fits what. Of course, that cross reference book is only needed when I don’t already know which filter I need by memory like when I buy a “new” used 30 year old car I’ve never changed the oil on before.

When I want transmission oil cooler hose - they should not bring me fuel hose or heater hose. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) I shouldn’t have to explain to them what the difference is and why it matters.

So by my definition, FLAPS are almost extinct. There are a few still around but they are becoming increasingly hard to find. Sometimes I still find an old school NAPA that is OK but increasingly they too are staffed by people that clearly don’t know a Porsche from a Pontiac.

Signed - grumpy old man who avoids the chain auto parts stores like the plague. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)