Getting the right parts at the parts store?

[jimmydean]

I know my truck isn't the only "non-stock" rig on here, so I wanted to know if anyone besides me has a tough time getting the right parts when they go to the store?

I need to make an average of 2 trips unless I bring the old part in. Sometimes I can't get the right part even then.

Example: My starter went out. The motor I put in the truck was out of a '75. When I asked for a '75 starter, it was wrong. I got a '69 starter, it was also wrong. I brought the old one in and we matched it to a starter listed for a 327 (mine is a 350).

My fuel pump went out. I got one for a '75 and the outbound fitting was 5/8th. The one installed in my truck was 1/2. They tried to find one that was 1/2" and couldn't. Shucks, NAPA, and AutoZone all had 5/8th. So I just bought a 5/8th fitting and was done.

Anyone else have this problem? Can you just ask for the part, get it and it's right?