So I walked into NAPA today...

[special-K]

How does that help them get better at their job for the rest of the customers? Is that what people did to you when you worked the parts counter? I have no problem allowing my NAPA store do it's job for me. I ask for conversion joints I give the specs for each side and they get me one.

The NAPA in town had a sign up looking to hire counter help. I asked about it, thinking of my son, and the manager said job was filled. I asked what it took to qualify, what program they used. He said, "Someone who knows cars". He didn't care about them knowing the parts program, that it took him and the other good parts guy a year to get that crap figured out and they help new people with that. So, we lost our other long time parts guy and there are a couple newbies to deal with now. I will do what I can, as a parts buyer who never worked the other side of the counter, to get through their learning curve so they can better serve me and all the other customers who walk through the door.

I asked about the program because I had talked to my friend who is the parts manager at the Harley dealership. I remember when he was new in the late-80s. He said a lot of guys who know all about Harleys come in expecting to get hired up, but he starts all new people off in the back stocking parts. He said it didn't matter knowing every piece on a bike, that they need to learn the program. My other friend who worked at a Pontiac dealership said that was bull crap, that they all use the same program and it's easy, especially for a young person who came up on computers. Sounds like job protection to me. Put a longer road between himself and new recruits. So, a lot about a store's performance has more to do with the manager's philosophy than counter help's ability. Teach them and they will learn. Give them a chance and they will give you back more. It's the difference between having help or having a check collector.