[Southpa]

Yeah , thats the problem, the staff of most of these general automotive parts stores have to find parts for everything from VW's to Fords. And if you want to deal with someone who specializes in your type of vehicle expect to pay at least 25% more than usual. Also, forget about asking for advice on what will work or what fits best, 95% of them simply don't know.
The whole training aspect of a new parts employee is how the inventory system works, how to operate the cash register and what books are found where.

You can bet that a lot of us have trucks that are made up of parts from different years. So if I'm buying front brake parts I have to refer to a 1971 (discs) rather than a 1970 (which the truck actually is).

I've had mixed results from all my local parts stores. I am lucky to have found at least one friendly parts guy who knows chevs, but even he has steered me wrong on occasion. If I'm replacing something I always bring in the old part for comparison now...just in case.