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)

[914Sixer]

Went to NAPA, AutoZone and O'Reillys this morning. NO 13" wiper blades or VHT SP730 clear caliper paint Have to order. Be in Wed next week. Enough said.

[Superhawk996]

Went to NAPA, AutoZone and O'Reillys this morning. NO 13" wiper blades or VHT SP730 clear caliper paint Have to order. Be in Wed next week. Enough said.

And they all wonder why they are losing business to Amazon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

If I have to go online to buy wiper blades and rattle can paint, you can be damn sure it won’t be to AutoZone.com

It is very frustrating to try to support local stores but to repeatedly find they are incapable of running a store.

I also extend this to the checkout process. The main purpose of any business is to get the money out of my hand in exchange for goods they have.

Yet, when I just walk in to buy a quart of oil, all the counter staff is too busy to take my money. I end up waiting around endlessly while some fool drives the computer - asking another greater fool if that part looks like what they have on their car and they debate if that will solve the problem.

No one will actually take the money (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) as I’m standing there trying to give it to them.

I’ve literally left stock on counters and walked out. If a store can’t be bothered to have staff to man a cash register for sales - hopefully later they can find the manpower to restock those items.

I know . . . Many will say I’m the (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif) . Maybe - but if you can’t find a way to take a customers money for a straight forward cash sale of oil, washer fluid, and all those other high margin items - they deserve to go out of business because they are the ones transferring it to Amazon which was really my only 2nd choice.

PS - don’t bring up “supply chain” or difficulty getting labor. This has been going on for decades as FLAPS wither away. Agree 2020-2021 has accelerated the trend. However, it was already in progress.