Thread Number: 66344  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Parts store clueless
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 889511   7/15/2016 at 15:13 (2,813 days old) by wvkenmore (Wv)        

Went to get a coupler for a shredmore today and was told they had never heard of that part. This is the same place I have always got my parts but has been sold to new owners. She mumbled something about belts and I said these have no belts it is direct drive machine.

The girl at counter wanted to know hold washer was I told her about 12 years old and she said they don't make parts for that old of a wsher. I sure miss the family that had this place before.






Post# 889513 , Reply# 1   7/15/2016 at 15:49 (2,813 days old) by ken (NYS)        

ken's profile picture
They better learn their business quick or they wont be in business for very long.

Post# 889518 , Reply# 2   7/15/2016 at 16:43 (2,813 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Sounds Like A Good Time

mrb627's profile picture


to fill out a job application. They are gonna need some help from somebody in the know.

Malcolm


Post# 889522 , Reply# 3   7/15/2016 at 17:02 (2,813 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Seems like they only speak Part Number.  If you can find the number for the coupler, I'll bet they have it in stock.  Then again, if they don't have any parts knowledge, they're in the wrong business, and you should take yours elsewhere.


Post# 889543 , Reply# 4   7/16/2016 at 00:53 (2,812 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)        

Hell, parts for these washers will be readily available for the next 50 years. They literally sold millions of units. The coupler if probably one of the most commonly found parts of all!

Post# 889554 , Reply# 5   7/16/2016 at 06:31 (2,812 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
yeah, basically, outside of regular and heavy duty, this is a One-Part-Fits-All.....


this sort of thing is no surprise for current parts stores.....

I went to get a spark plug for the mower, took the actual plug with me with part number on it, and the girl behind the counter could not sell me one with out the model number for the mower.....WTH!

same girl back a few weeks, needed line for the trimmer......who the needs a model number for trimmer cord?....I know what size I need, just grab me a spool!....

this last visit I made comment, very loud, she must be the boss' girlfriend....


even going someplace like AutoZone, to match a belt for a washer....the first thing they ask is what vehicle it came off of.....its not from a car, its for a washer, "Oh, we don't have parts for washers here!".....first you have to get past that they can't operate the belt measuring device...and then explain to the brainiac, 'who do you think built/created the automatic washer?'....GM, Ford, AMC...

and you just blew their mind to walk in the back and match a belt to the one you brought in.....

what ever happen to having experience for applying for a job?....or maybe mechanical know how?


Post# 889646 , Reply# 6   7/16/2016 at 18:43 (2,812 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)        

If companies hire them off the street, let our computer system handle the job for them. They can pay people less. All these people do is use a computer to look things up and read the screen to the customer. They don't need to know anything.

Post# 889668 , Reply# 7   7/17/2016 at 00:36 (2,811 days old) by washdaddy (Baltimore)        
millions of direct drive machines.....

For as many of those machines that have been sold, couplers are one of the most common parts they need to remain operable.

If you walk into a parts store and tell them you need a coupler for a direct drive machine and their response is basically a blank stare.....that is your clue to turn around and walk out the door and find yourself another parts store to deal with.


Post# 889697 , Reply# 8   7/17/2016 at 08:32 (2,811 days old) by washingpowder (NYC)        

Makes me wonder how do they maintain stock and inventory...
There has to be someone who sits down and creates orders - do they just tick off anything out-of-stock on a list provided? How do they know which parts to carry and which are unnecessary?


Post# 889720 , Reply# 9   7/17/2016 at 10:54 (2,811 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
They have a manager,

and, or the owner to do ordering. Inventory is overhead, so it is kept to a minimum without running out.
I had the very same experience with Serv-All inc. The gal on the phone barely spoke English, and only could reference a part number by model and serial number.


Post# 889779 , Reply# 10   7/17/2016 at 20:14 (2,810 days old) by wvkenmore (Wv)        

The store has about 5 feet of pegboard with inventory on it and about 10 feet of shelves. This used to be the maytag dealer and the maytag sign still hangs out front.

Post# 889815 , Reply# 11   7/18/2016 at 04:52 (2,810 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
area demographics

usually justify amount of inventory also. Small town, fewer customers, less inventory. The store may also not have much extra capital to stock many parts.
Lean market area.
Once the new owners rebuild their bank account after paying down the business loan, or what they used to purchase the store, they may be able to buy more inventory.
Are they young? They will learn. Lots of small businesses begin lean. Opening a second store can provide more revenue and capital so long as the rent is not too high, or the lot not too pricey to build on.


Post# 889852 , Reply# 12   7/18/2016 at 10:17 (2,810 days old) by pumper (SE Wisconsin)        

pumper's profile picture
Went to eBay for my last two couplers. $5 + free shipping versus $23 + tax at a local appliance store. Two of the stores didn't even answer the phone, only the third one I called answered. I like to support local business, but...

Post# 889927 , Reply# 13   7/18/2016 at 21:10 (2,809 days old) by wvkenmore (Wv)        

The owner has had store for about 4 years now. They were overstocked on parts and they threw most of it out as it was for old appliances.

Post# 889978 , Reply# 14   7/19/2016 at 08:39 (2,809 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Threw out parts?

They are not very smart for sure. My folks took us through appalacia in the 70's, and folks still had wringer washers on their porches.
I bet there are plenty handy salt of the earth folks still there who have older appliances they may need parts for.


Post# 890016 , Reply# 15   7/19/2016 at 12:50 (2,809 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        
That place...

chetlaham's profile picture
Will go down hill and out of business very soon while the owners wonder what happened blaming everyone but themselves. It takes in depth knowledge on the subject along with treating every client like a teacher of wisdom.

One of my peeves are parts places that demand model #s in order to help you. In my case that is not always possible (want to stick different parts in like a Kitchen aid agitator into a Whirly) and the fact I know pretty much most parts are universal requiring no model #.

But hey, maybe they will learn. In the least I hope they put those parts on Ebay.


Post# 890019 , Reply# 16   7/19/2016 at 13:15 (2,809 days old) by Lowefficiency (Iowa)        

lowefficiency's profile picture
Yep, that's right. The world of obscure parts has changed substantially in the past 10 years or so. That back room of "junk" for machines that "nobody" has anymore may have quite a bit of value to the audience on a nationwide site like eBay. It takes a little bit of time to list the parts, but then they literally just sit there and sell themselves.

Post# 890035 , Reply# 17   7/19/2016 at 16:02 (2,809 days old) by Sbond22 (Grove City, Fl. USA)        
They literally just sit there and sell themselves .

sbond22's profile picture
Very well said.

Post# 890058 , Reply# 18   7/19/2016 at 19:44 (2,809 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        
Ebay

chetlaham's profile picture
Appliance dealers holding onto old parts selling them through Ebay have been a life saver. Most of the sellers are mom and pop places wanting to rid of old inventory and boy does it work.

Post# 890076 , Reply# 19   7/19/2016 at 21:55 (2,808 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
this is the trouble with stores selling parts these days

pierreandreply4's profile picture
my 2 cents on this is that most store these day rather push the customer to buy a new machine why buy a new washer when that 12 year old Kenmore washer still works find for a washer that old its more practical to fix it than buy a new machine that's what I think

Post# 890082 , Reply# 20   7/19/2016 at 23:48 (2,808 days old) by dartman (Portland Oregon)        

The local shop I mostly deal with for parts only sells parts and used rebuilt machines. They of course are more expensive than Amazon or eBay but tend to know and have most common parts in stock so if I need it now I research the part and go there first. My last direct drive improved pump through them was 30 vs less then 20 shipped on Amazon but they had it now and I needed to get the washer up and running NOW.
When it can wait I get parts online cheaper, just allow the time to get here. I did that with the agitator dog kit as it was significantly cheaper and washer still sorta worked.
It has since been replaced with a DD HE Kenmore 28102 that I THINK will be easy enough to fix. The impeller was super easy to pull when a penny got stuck under it and has worked just fine now about 3 years and saves a lot on my water bill.


Post# 890098 , Reply# 21   7/20/2016 at 07:05 (2,808 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
And then

panthera's profile picture
They wonder why we've all gone back to catalog shopping.
Only difference between today and 100 years ago - our catalogs don't end as toilet paper.
My patience with idiot sales in-duh-vi-duals has reached nil.


Post# 890209 , Reply# 22   7/20/2016 at 19:49 (2,807 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Speed Queen? What's That?

blackstone's profile picture
Reminds me of the time I went to a local appliance parts store for a Speed Queen part. The person behind the counter had never heard of Speed Queen! Remember, this was an exclusively "appliance" parts store. I just walked out, returned home, and ordered online.

I like to help local business too, but I would expect a basic knowledge of the products being sold; not just the ability to type a model number into the search field.



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy