Spare Parts Proffessionals?

[VXEXEC350]

I just called my local dealership because I need a new O ring for the camshaft position sensor, after waiting 20 minutes on hold I finally spoke to the parts interpreter. She was friendly enough but had no clue. First she said I must meant a crankshaft seal, then a camshaft bearing kit, eventually she found it on the exploded diagram because I talked her though it, describing exactly where she can find it...whew. Then I am told I need to purchase the whole sensor at $227.00 plus GST, COME OFF IT, it's an O ring surely they have a bloody box of them on a shelf? The mechanics in the workshop MUST use them. What really annoys me though is I bought a complete engine gasket kit for it and that must be the only O ring not included.
I am glad to see this lady has a job and I wish her well in it, however, I used to work at a dealership in Victoria as a Spare Parts Interpreter, also befor ethat in Adelaide at CMV Trucks, I had to do a course...and some mechanical knowledge and experience was a prerequisit and some hands on mecanical work was part of the course, so I don't understand how she did not know what an O ring is...
rant mode off
sorry if I bored you LOL
Pete

[255-LS1]

Why did you even go through holden. Its only an o-ring.... Just go to bearing shop take the sensor and the old o-ring and get a replacement..

Cos as you said thats probably what the service department would do lol

[Smitty]

well when I worked at GMH, I used to help put the parts books together (for VB-VK Commodore ...still have a set)
and I have no mechanical qualifications at all... don't think a BBus qualifies me :)

re the ORing, its really up to the Supplier (in this case...GM Powertrain) to state how/in what state parts are supplied.
The original cam sensor (inc the oring) may be supplied as just one part/assembly for engine manufacture in the US...
and thats all that will be shown on the drawing. .. that is supply = whats in the parts manual (or computer drawing these days)

That of course does not preclude you from nicking down the local bearing place for a similar oring (as previously mentioned)
The problem with that is you don't know what its made of...nitrile, viton or what? Buy a same size oring of the wrong material
type and its bound to fail in 6 months :(

[HSV590]

The problem is "experienced knowledgeable" parts interpreters don't grow on tree's and unfortuneatly in this day and age, the customer expects and demands prompt, efficient and accurate service. Nothing wrong with that, I expect the same, BUT, believe it or not, it's a quite a difficult job to "know it all". As you say, ideally, trades qualified people would be advantageous to put in these jobs, but try and get some one with any level of mechanical knowledge to take on a crap paying parts interpreting role. That said, just because you know what an inlet valve is or looks like doesn't mean that much anyway. That young lass was probably most appreciative of your assistance to her, being able to help you.. I too work in spare parts, in a wholesale industry dealing direct with the trade and trying to find experienced parts interpreters is impossible, hence you end up with kids trying to work out what people want and they have no idea. Sure they can be trained to answer the phone politely, say the right things, but you can't teach them in 6 months or 2 years, what I've learnt in 30 years To your problem, like someone said you may be better off trying to macth an o'ring to your sample one, and yes, the workshop would use all manner of parts that aren't available as a "genuine" item..

[blackvussii]

I had a good search around for one of these recently (states as well) but had the same result. Could only find the whole assembly, not the o-ring itself, hadn't thought of taking it to a shop and getting them to match it up but will be giving that a go.

[planetdavo]

Well said HSV590.
The automotive trades are facing some issues that many other industries are facing too. It's called Gen Y...:hide:
Specifically in the automotive field, the kids these days would (mostly) rather spank their load over a new iphone or ipad than over a new car. In the past, people with an interest in cars regularly followed their interest into automotive jobs. By having a strong interest from leaving school, they had a head start in what all those THOUSANDS of parts that make up a car actually all are. So, being a nerd has become cool. What hasn't become cool though is being expected to "survive" on an auto trade apprentice wage when you've got new iphones to buy every year, a new ipad, expensive clothes and salon visits to make themselves pretty. Many want stupid money as an inexperienced employee, which isn't sustainable when you can't charge someone $80 like a plumber does for just walking in the front door. In many cases they expect this pay packet because they've had pretty much everything given to them all their lives by their hard working, rarely home parents to try and keep them happy. So, many have either gone to well paying jobs in construction, plumbing or electrical, or gone to cooler nerd type jobs, because they can get the bigger bucks NOW.
We live with the NOW generation, and many industries are paying the price...Dealers are having to employee very inexperienced people, then try to train a decent employee out of them. Most dealers will do whatever they realistically can to hold onto their good parts interpreters, because they know how hard they are to replace.
As for the o-ring being unavailable genuine, that is correct for this part. The dealer has no say in what is or isn't available. If it's not available through GM internationally then Holden the company has no say either.

[qwigybo]

I don't even bother will my local holden as they're all incompetent in my dealings there previously.. there's only 2 people I will deal with at bursons and autobarn as they know what they're talking about and are actually interested in cars themselves not just there for a pay check

[Xjas]

PD has pretty much summed it up.
I have never seen anything like it for Holden or GM but with Nissans sold in the US you can go online and look up your own parts at nissanpartszone.

[VX-300]

Why did you even go through holden. Its only an o-ring.... Just go to bearing shop take the sensor and the old o-ring and get a replacement..

German metric 15 x 2.5 in Viton 75

[255-LS1]

German metric 15 x 2.5 in Viton 75

You want a job at old mates local holden dealer?? Lol

[VXEXEC350]

Thanks for the replies guys, very informative and amusing. I ended up getting a new sensor from my local Sprints. $108 including. I took the O ring to CBC, Repco, local mechanics, Ultratune, Sprints Supercheap Auto and then decided that before I spent as much on fuel as I would replacing the sensor I would just get a new one.
Pete

[bricat]

Having worked in the parts trade for the last 15 years calling on workshops I see many many parts being returned to the suppliers because they are the wrong part. Mostly it is about listening to the customers request but in some cases the customer just wants part A for a VT commodore say. There could be several different part A's for a VT ie 6 cylinder, V8 5.0 ltr, V8LS1, or HSV etc. Both parties need to communicate effectively. JMHO

[Woodchukka]

I agree with HSV590 and Planetdavo. I am in the mining industry and the attitude of a number of the apprentices and young blokes just out of their time is terrible. Such a poor work ethic but expect to be left alone and get paid very good money to do as little as they can manage.

As for Holden dealers I really don't like mine. The number of jobs they either screw up or complete in my opinion to a poor standard (on my cars) is unreal. I take my cars there as little as possible and went elsewhere when had to be serviced for warranty purposes. One interpreter there who has been there for years is unreal. He will find you any and everything you need. The other 2 well not been there so long and are not so good. I had issues getting parts for a coolant leak where incorrect parts were ordered then not all of them took 3 goes to get it right. However I did not loose my cool and before the order was placed I ensured all parts required were identified. Sometimes you just need to lead the horse to water. If you give these people a hard time they will not stick with it and move on and the cycle starts again.

As for o'rings I used to work for a Cat dealer and used One Safe Source to find o'rings for my car before (see link below for a PDF download). It has a section for o'rings (an a lot of other stuff you will never use) and also tells you at the end of the list what each is suitable for. So if your local bearing place does not have anything maybe an OEM dealer like Cat, Komatsu or the like might have something that suits.

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CHsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fworkshop.catdealer.com%2Fsystem%2 Fresources%2FBAhbBlsHOgZmIjoyMDExLzA2LzA4LzA5XzMxX zM4XzgwOF9PbmVfU2FmZV9Tb3VyY2VfMjAwOF8yMDA5LnBkZg% 2FOne_Safe_Source_2008-2009.pdf&ei=W2OoT-T_E6HAiQesgN2tAw&usg=AFQjCNHvyYamFmTAbywLBQjYPbssSjs_Lg

[VXSSgen3]

Was thinking of one safe source myself-very useful, and not just for o-rings (Cat also make good bolts etc at a very good price!)

My sister has been in the spare parts industry for 11 years now, she would definately concur with the gen y issue, as would I (diesel mechanic in the mining industry). Some prove you wrong, but most seem to want to get the most money for the least effort.

Again, you also get what you pay for (and the auto industry needs to catch up big time with this, hence why I work in mining!)

[Souljah]

you also get what you pay for (and the auto industry needs to catch up big time with this, hence why I work in mining!)

You pay peanuts, you get monkeys. That is what it all boils down too. I know a few lads i work underground with are mechanics by trade and they all say the same thing. They liked there job but the money for the hours worked was shit house hence the move into mining.

[the big fist]

You pay peanuts, you get monkeys. That is what it all boils down too. I know a few lads i work underground with are mechanics by trade and they all say the same thing. They liked there job but the money for the hours worked was shit house hence the move into mining.

Yeah but the mining industry is highly inflated wages. Great for anyone in the industry. Terrible for everyone else.

[Drew SS]

Ahh you guys are lucky you have Holden dealers I have to rely on Australia post :) and that's not cheap

[Lunchbox]

This is what we had on the back of the warehouse door when I was a spare parts interpreter for Kobelco excavators.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh86/LnChBx01/10042008116.jpg

Cheers, Lunchbox

[VXSSgen3]

Yeah but the mining industry is highly inflated wages. Great for anyone in the industry. Terrible for everyone else.

I wouldn't say highly inflated. I work nearly 90 hours a week on shift-thats how you earn your money! If I worked a 38 hour week and was home every night and still earned that money, then fair call. But I work long hours and away from home for my wage (my choice, yes, but it is still a sacrifice, and I want to be remunerated accordingly!)

[VXSSgen3]

This is what we had on the back of the warehouse door when I was a spare parts interpreter for Kobelco excavators.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh86/LnChBx01/10042008116.jpg

Cheers, Lunchbox

Love this one! Hit the nail on the head!

[planetdavo]

Ha ha...nice work lunchbox.
Whilst there are some absolute spuds in our industry, the better ones often still need a crystal ball to come close to interpreting some people's amazingly poor descriptions of what they want!

[planetdavo]

You pay peanuts, you get monkeys. That is what it all boils down too. I know a few lads i work underground with are mechanics by trade and they all say the same thing. They liked there job but the money for the hours worked was shit house hence the move into mining.

Whilst often true one does need to decide what is most important in life. Many in the auto industry do ok if they find the right place and are good enough. ;) Sh1t people don't deserve big pay.
Mining is one of the most extreme examples of high pay available, but it's also one with many sh!t conditions attached, like long days, many days before you get a break, and working well away from any life you may previously have had.
It's DEFINITELY not for everyone, and money really isn't everything in life. Many lower paying jobs allow far better lifestyle options.

[the big fist]

I wouldn't say highly inflated. I work nearly 90 hours a week on shift-thats how you earn your money! If I worked a 38 hour week and was home every night and still earned that money, then fair call. But I work long hours and away from home for my wage (my choice, yes, but it is still a sacrifice, and I want to be remunerated accordingly!)

..and I applaud you for doing the hard yards and getting a good wage. But the fact is, the wages are over inflated and harm the local industry that has to compete with them. Not a personal attack, just an observation. If I was in a different situation I'd be on the mines for sure ! Great way to get the first house underway.

[hsv364]

You pay peanuts, you get monkeys. That is what it all boils down too. I know a few lads i work underground with are mechanics by trade and they all say the same thing. They liked there job but the money for the hours worked was shit house hence the move into mining.

I think you will find that most of the monkeys are working in the mines :-0

[Souljah]

I think you will find that most of the monkeys are working in the mines :-0
Wont argue with that :p

[VXSSgen3]

..and I applaud you for doing the hard yards and getting a good wage. But the fact is, the wages are over inflated and harm the local industry that has to compete with them. Not a personal attack, just an observation. If I was in a different situation I'd be on the mines for sure ! Great way to get the first house underway.
Thanks-and I just had a look at where you are from (Perth, probably the city most affected by the mining industry). I think we may have to agree to disagree on this one!
Adelaide is yet to take off with it's mining boom (whenever that will happen!) so when you can earn $45k as a mechanic in Adelaide vs $100k plus in mining, you can see why people do it. You are right though, if I could earn even 2 thirds of what I earn now, still be on a roster (sorry, but 6-7 day weeks don't appeal, neither does being on call 24/7 as you are in field service) and home every night, why would I work away?

As to mostly monkeys working in the mines, yes they do have some (like everyone) but this is a problem certainly not limited to mining!

P.s. no offence taken at all-Australia would be a pretty s@#t place to live if we all agreed with each other/thought the same!

[zorro]

Whilst often true one does need to decide what is most important in life. Many in the auto industry do ok if they find the right place and are good enough. ;) Sh1t people don't deserve big pay.
Mining is one of the most extreme examples of high pay available, but it's also one with many sh!t conditions attached, like long days, many days before you get a break, and working well away from any life you may previously have had.
It's DEFINITELY not for everyone, and money really isn't everything in life. Many lower paying jobs allow far better lifestyle options.

Like all industry there is pay rates that one would question especially when taking into account the skillset and personality of the people in these roles.

My uncle is a parts interpreter for most part Volvo trucks, and then everything else. I've heard all the stories and day to day dealings trying to decipher a mix of English/Swahili/tongues and whatever other form of communication people use to try order parts. It may not be the highest wage job out there although he has been rewarded considerably over the time, tour of volvos factory in sweeden and stay at the ice hotel for instance, plus footy tickets etc etc.

I went from project coordinator with qualification in civil works design, autocad etc, however now I work in a formwork yard getting gear together, servicing gear and basically have limited responsibility other than making sure paperwork is right and my welds are to spec which is a no brainer. Why you ask? My pay rates are well above what I was previously earning, plus super is almost doubled, plus portable long service, injury protection, family friendly work hours etc. It is a physically demanding job and by my ethics I work a solid day so I find the remuneration fitting for my position

I'm no nuff nuff and certainly don't appreciate the high horse attitudes I get from people when I'm wearing the hi vis but you do what you enjoy and what's good for your family. That's how I see it anyway.

[LSavvy]

F@#k me, parts interpreters whinging about interperating what customers want! Um isn't that what your jobs about with an emphasis on "interperter"?

[planetdavo]

F@#k me, parts interpreters whinging about interperating what customers want! Um isn't that what your jobs about with an emphasis on "interperter"?


We all know this is simply your latest attempt at baiting on this forum, but really you just look like a tool on this one.
If people only give 10% of the required info to correctly answer a question then they have no one to blame but themselves if the wrong part is looked up.
Pretty simple really. :)

[Jag530G]

We all know this is simply your latest attempt at baiting on this forum, but really you just look like a tool on this one.
If people only give 10% of the required info to correctly answer a question then they have no one to blame but themselves if the wrong part is looked up.
Pretty simple really. :)

I like your new signature PD!

[planetdavo]

I like your new signature PD!

Cheers!

Getting back to LSavvy's post again, I guess he just has to go to Coles and ask for "ham", and if they are any good at "interpreting" an order for ham, they will know he wants Gypsy triple smoked ham rather than ham off the bone...:lmao:

[VYSHSV8]

I like your new signature PD!

Doesn't come up on tapatalk what's it say????
Definitely wouldn't say the truth,
Oh the back of my head is sore from the bosses desk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk in the middle of Farkin no-where

[VNV8]

All that I ask is that the 'customer' knows at least a little about the car they are driving/working on. Nothing advanced, just a make & model, month & year and/or series, and engine capacity. Each and everyday my colleagues and I are faced with people who have no idea what they just stepped out of/just drove into the workshop. This includes workshop owners and mechanics aswell as DIY'ers. Often feels like you are talking to/banging your head against a brick wall.

Different terms for different parts can usually be worked out through elimination and sometimes downright assumption (as a last resort of course), but the above is the most important, and most often lacking. Also remember we all have to START learning at some point, and a guy with 10 years experience is not always going to work at supercheap waiting to sell you an oil filter & air freshener.

Oh and if you drive a Toyota, learn the damn series/model code.

[peter b]

All that I ask is that the 'customer' knows at least a little about the car they are driving/working on. Nothing advanced, just a make & model, month & year and/or series, and engine capacity. Each and everyday my colleagues and I are faced with people who have no idea what they just stepped out of/just drove into the workshop. This includes workshop owners and mechanics aswell as DIY'ers. Often feels like you are talking to/banging your head against a brick wall.

Different terms for different parts can usually be worked out through elimination and sometimes downright assumption (as a last resort of course), but the above is the most important, and most often lacking. Also remember we all have to START learning at some point, and a guy with 10 years experience is not always going to work at supercheap waiting to sell you an oil filter & air freshener.

Oh and if you drive a Toyota, learn the damn series/model code.

Get this everyday. Very vague descriptions and gets worse as other side of the company is SU carburettors and the vague descriptions of linkages half of the people who own them when asked what type of su do you have answer with SU. Is very testing.
People need to have a bit more patience we may not know everything low and behold we are freaking human...
But hang on wait so are you guys. Dont think many would like it if when they had a bit of trouble with something within their job had a person who knows nothing about how to do the job starting threads on forums stating how they dont know what they are doing and that they could do the job better...

[LSavvy]

We all know this is simply your latest attempt at baiting on this forum, but really you just look like a tool on this one.
If people only give 10% of the required info to correctly answer a question then they have no one to blame but themselves if the wrong part is looked up.
Pretty simple really. :)

Paranoid again Davo?

Ok so you think I look like a tool on this one, unlike you on the other ones!




Cheers!
Getting back to LSavvy's post again, I guess he just has to go to Coles and ask for "ham", and if they are any good at "interpreting" an order for ham, they will know he wants Gypsy triple smoked ham rather than ham off the bone...:lmao:

If they are any good at "interpreting" or customer service they may ask some questions to find out rather than "assuming" what I want. There really was no "bait" there just saying it how it is, yet you are so paranoid you think it was aimed solely at you and not at SPI's in general. Yes I do know some good ones amongst some dopes!

Let's go back to the VT.

"I need an oil filter for my V8 commodore"
"is it an ls1 or 5lt"
"not sure"
"what year model"
"2000 I think"
Turn the screen around, "does the engine look like this"
"yeah that's the one"
"ok no probs you need ABC123 filter or vin no to be sure"

Quite simple your interpreting what the customer is asking for....

[HSV590]

And you'd be quite suprised how many people might also say. "oh, I don't know what the motor looks like, I've never really looked, my sons changing my oil and filter for me"... Your scenario is correct parts interpreting, but it doesn't always go down that way...

[peter b]

Paranoid again Davo?

Ok so you think I look like a tool on this one, unlike you on the other ones!





If they are any good at "interpreting" or customer service they may ask some questions to find out rather than "assuming" what I want. There really was no "bait" there just saying it how it is, yet you are so paranoid you think it was aimed solely at you and not at SPI's in general. Yes I do know some good ones amongst some dopes!

Let's go back to the VT.

"I need an oil filter for my V8 commodore"
"is it an ls1 or 5lt"
"not sure"
"what year model"
"2000 I think"
Turn the screen around, "does the engine look like this"
"yeah that's the one"
"ok no probs you need ABC123 filter or vin no to be sure"

Quite simple your interpreting what the customer is asking for....

You have picked a very generalised example which is basically an in a perfect world scenario.
If you think that most people could even answer those questions then you are very naive.
I would suggest that most who jump up and down saying it is an easy job go do it for a day and see the crap that has to be put up with the abuse from people when they dont explain things properly or in a manner you can get any idea wtf they are trying to do. Some orders are easy yes but in a lot of cases there are many options and when the question gets asked the answer is nearly always I dont know. Getting custom pistons made send the forms to my customer answer every time is you fill it out. So is not only my job to sell the parts needed but I have to design the combo based on what they want to do. And interesting fact this is not so much just for general public either.
In the Holden spare parts they don't get every single seal singularly or anything like that most times they can only supply the whole unit, sensor, etc if that is a problem for people then go to the hardware and buy a multi pack of O rings didnt think it was that hard.
Holden Spare parts can supply a lot of parts for your car everything from front to back and all in between however when looking for just an O ring that goes around a sensor they would only be able to carry and sell the whole sensor.
Not really that hard to understand is it.

[jeepers]

Well heres a good news story in the world of parts interpretting; I recently grabbed an old vg ute for house renovating duties (and arent they just a hilarious machine in the wet!) and needed some bits to ensure its reliability. It's got a vr engine/trans in it and i wandered into AMCAP here in Perth needing some genuine bits like water outlets, cooling system hoses, and a few gaskets and odds and sods. The young early 20's lass behind the counter jumped straight in, laughed at how she didnt get much ordering for the old vr engines anymore, found all the bits i needed including suggesting the o rings that would be needed for the water outlets (I hadn't thought they would be a separate item) . There are some good ones out there; even the GenY's!

[LSavvy]

Yes I did pick a general item, but gave an idea on how to maybe deal with the customer (or intemperate what the customer wants). In the case of the OP, surely the inventory/cat system Holden use would allow to enter "sensor" and then a list of sensors would be displayed and it would clearly state the different sensors. Wether or not the o-ring is a separate part or not is a separate issue but the OP did mention the young girl asked if it was a crank angle sensor when he stated a cam sensor and had to guide her to it.

Yes I do agree some would not be able to answer some of the questions hence the "you got the vin no to be sure"...

[peter b]

Yes I did pick a general item, but gave an idea on how to maybe deal with the customer (or intemperate what the customer wants). In the case of the OP, surely the inventory/cat system Holden use would allow to enter "sensor" and then a list of sensors would be displayed and it would clearly state the different sensors. Wether or not the o-ring is a separate part or not is a separate issue but the OP did mention the young girl asked if it was a crank angle sensor when he stated a cam sensor and had to guide her to it.

Yes I do agree some would not be able to answer some of the questions hence the "you got the vin no to be sure"...

Unfortunately having seen the system they use it isn't so simple. All the parts are broken down into what part of the car they come from and when you have an image of all the sensors within the engine it can get confusing. The fact that she got a little confused in regards to cam or crank sensor really isnt that bad or have we gotten that impatient that we cant lend a little help or is it expected that within any job we expect not to have to answer any questions??
The vin doesn't always do as expected on the holden system give my vin and get normal ss headlights instead of ssv headlights so it isnt fool proof.
Working together can go a long way...

[LSavvy]

Unfortunately having seen the system they use it isn't so simple. All the parts are broken down into what part of the car they come from and when you have an image of all the sensors within the engine it can get confusing. The fact that she got a little confused in regards to cam or crank sensor really isnt that bad or have we gotten that impatient that we cant lend a little help or is it expected that within any job we expect not to have to answer any questions??
The vin doesn't always do as expected on the holden system give my vin and get normal ss headlights instead of ssv headlights so it isnt fool proof.
Working together can go a long way...

Mate I have no probs working together and agree with you, I was more about some SPI's whining about having to interperate what the customer is asking for.... ie, it's part of the job. If you can't help because they have no answers that can't be helped and you may need a sample or a finger pointed to the part.

[VNV8]

yes it's part of the job (and no-one every whinges about their jobs do they...), but I dont think you understand the outright stupidity and ignorance out there. Anyone on this forum would be (or should be) an exception, but the general public have no idea at all. We can all judge from a distance but until we've been in the other persons shoes we don't have the full story. Oh and yes dealers can use VIN numbers but aftermarket cannot.

[VXEXEC350]

HMMM I seem to have opened a can of worms. I just want to be clear that I really did not mean to be disparaging or critical of the spare parts enterpreter dealing with my request, her training was lacking, she really did not know what an O-ring is, basic really. She was very keen to help me and she did help. She also appreciated the small assistance I was able to give her, I was not condescending nor rude in any way, I treated her as I would expect somebody to treat my daughter/sister/wife. What I was upset about was the lack of this particular O-ring in a "complete" engine gasket kit...it was also lacking knock sensor seals, at $250 odd thats pretty bad. I ended up getting a new cam position sensor, but did not pay the exorbitant $227, I got it for $108. Still an expensive O-ring.
A good trick when ordering your spares, just to save time for the spares department, is to use the information from your workshop manual when naming parts. This sensor is an example of that, I got it from Sprints and I asked for a cam angle sensor, I was told there is not one listed for the LS1, so I asked him to look up a cam POSITION sensor...no worries $108 please.
Looking up spare for a Holden at Holden dealerships is pretty easy using their software, you need to punch in the model and configuration of the car and where the need part is located, you are then presented with an exploded diagram and you click on the part required, you are then given a part number that you can look up on the locating software (it's pretty much the same for all automotive spares), as stated before the customer is the wildcard. they need to know what the car is, and what the part is they require. Dealing with inexperienced mechanics is part of the job and a professional should be able to cope and lead the customer to the part they need ("of course if this is the wrong part you can bring it back in the undamaged, clean packaging") a customer with no knowledge and a salesperson with no knowledge will cause issues.

[planetdavo]

Well it's been damn easy to see who WORKS in the industry in this thread, and those who make generalised, simpleton assumptions about it with absolutely no idea at all.
EPC4 from Snap-On Business Solutions is a piece of sh1t system to use on a daily basis, with often incorrect filtering even with a VIN. Factor in MANY changes during model runs these days, many customers not even knowing at least their rego number or which side of the car is the left or the right :confused:, and, well, let's just say that sometimes you need to make sure your crystal ball has fresh batteries...;)

[planetdavo]

HMMM I seem to have opened a can of worms. I just want to be clear that I really did not mean to be disparaging or critical of the spare parts enterpreter dealing with my request, her training was lacking, she really did not know what an O-ring is, basic really. She was very keen to help me and she did help. She also appreciated the small assistance I was able to give her, I was not condescending nor rude in any way, I treated her as I would expect somebody to treat my daughter/sister/wife.

It's quite possible that she was rather new to the job, and was "thrown in the deep end" so to speak by serving customers when so raw on car knowledge.
All one can hope is that if this girl's future is in the auto parts industry, she isn't broken before she progressively picked up knowledge. It can be a harsh environment selling parts- you have everything from your experienced trade guys that don't want to spend much time on the phone and expect you to know everything, your know it all's who have learned it all off the internet, to your retail people trying to save money by buying the part "someone said they needed", but no real idea of what it is or how to fit it.
All after using the rubbish EPC to "interpret" it! Bring back Microcat :yup: (wont happen soon though- EPC was "forced" on Holden by GM as a global money saving decision)

[LSavvy]

Well it's been damn easy to see who WORKS in the industry in this thread, and those who make generalised, simpleton assumptions about it with absolutely no idea at all.
EPC4 from Snap-On Business Solutions is a piece of sh1t system to use on a daily basis, with often incorrect filtering even with a VIN. Factor in MANY changes during model runs these days, many customers not even knowing at least their rego number or which side of the car is the left or the right :confused:, and, well, let's just say that sometimes you need to make sure your crystal ball has fresh batteries...;)


How's this for simpleton! No need to come across as a tosser you industry expert :jerk:

You make out that most customers that walk into a spare parts joint are idiots. I'm sure you would get a few like every other industry but not the many you speak of.

[planetdavo]

You make out that most customers that walk into a spare parts joint are idiots. I'm sure you would get a few like every other industry but not the many you speak of.

I don't at all, but since the title of the original thread was about ONE obviously very new and raw girl, when there are THOUSANDS of experienced parts interpreters out there, some balance needs to provided. You accuse me of doing the very same thing you did (the reverse of) back to me. That's intelligent...:jerk:
A dealership/auto parts store is a business, and they have more than one customer a day. Whilst we all make allowances for inexperience in consumer knowledge and try our best to correctly interpret partial information, there has to be a point where if someone CLEARLY has no idea or has insufficient knowledge to correctly answer the required questions, they will be required to come back with either more information on the car or more knowledge about what they are asking for. Phones keep ringing, other customers are standing in a (growing by now) queue, all increasingly impatiently waiting their turn. Do they wait all day for ONE customer with clearly no idea??? You might be standing in that queue. Will you start a thread on long dealership queues??? :rolleyes:
There are sh!t interpreters out there, but there are also sh1t customers out there. No point sticking your head in the sand and pretending there isn't. There are also inexperienced interpreters out there who need a chance to learn (like the girl this thread was started about), rather than have threads on the internet started about them. Oh the "power" of the internet...:spew:

Anyway, after your hundreds of "stealership" references over the years, I think most of us are smart enough to know why you've "contributed" to this thread...:jerk:

[jwhistle]

it doesnt matter what industry you work in, you were once very new or raw at your job too

i always have a little giggle when i read stuff like 'gen y'ers are this way' and 'gen x'ers are like that' I wonder if any generation has collectively thought ' gee, those young folk have got their act together and are great at what they do'

[planetdavo]

it doesnt matter what industry you work in, you were once very new or raw at your job too

i always have a little giggle when i read stuff like 'gen y'ers are this way' and 'gen x'ers are like that' I wonder if any generation has collectively thought ' gee, those young folk have got their act together and are great at what they do'

Good input, but one really does have to have their earplugs in to not know about the far more common issues in the current generation. Gen-y is increasingly, compared to previous generations, rather self absorbed in itself, thinks the world owes it, often knows everything before reaching 20, can't plan for the future or stick with anything, and is addicted to all it's geeky i-wank goodness. Gen Y is definitely NOT a happy generation of young people. Many are in fact quite messed up and need medication to try to get through every day.
Thankfully, there are many good gen Y'ers- but one does have to shovel quite hard at times to find lots of them, particularly in a work environment. Young gen-Y'ers are way worse then gen-X'ers were for staying in a job for any period of time (not to mention respecting authority), which gets back to the earlier reason I explained about the lack of young people with car knowledge joining the industry. Many continually think the grass is always greener on the other side, and move on right about the point they might be starting to become knowledgeable.
Some advice from a gen-X'er who started work on a crap apprentice wage at 18. It often isn't greener on the other side- just different, and money isn't everything in life. However, if you stick to something, the benefits might come your way from having proved yourself... :teach:
(To the good gen-Y'ers, don't take the above personally. It's about others letting your team down)

[LSavvy]

Davo, do you just hate gen y or just customers, colleague and people in general?

I'm sure you're happy with the benefits and rewards you speak of for proving yourself, I hope the SV6 and free to use fuel card makes you happy while on your way to subway to pick up the bosses subway order....

[planetdavo]

Davo, do you just hate gen y or just customers, colleague and people in general?

I'm sure you're happy with the benefits and rewards you speak of for proving yourself, I hope the SV6 and free to use fuel card makes you happy while on your way to subway to pick up the bosses subway order....

I don't "hate" any of them, but I have been on this planet for long enough to know a few things, and most customers tell me I'm pretty good at what I do for a job, so can comment from a position of experience. :)
Think the only genuine hater in this thread so far though is LSavvy, and he STILL hasn't figured out when to quit whilst only a little behind...:slap:
Bringing up Martin D's bosses immature lunch rubbish is just so :limpy:...

[LSavvy]

I don't "hate" any of them, but I have been on this planet for long enough to know a few things, and most customers tell me I'm pretty good at what I do for a job, so can comment from a position of experience. :)


Self praise is no recommendation.

Who questioned how good you are at your job? I have respect for industry experts like yourself and am sure you're very thorough when getting parts and helping gen "Y"ers and many customers that have no idea.

Had to use Martins subway rubbish as the image makes me chuckle...

[mattnsw]

most customers tell me I'm pretty good at what I do for a job, so can comment from a position of experience. :)
:limpy:...


Choose your own.

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[NickVR]

I also am a parts interpreter and agree with what a lot of people are saying in this thread.
Vehicles details are the main thing that people stuff up. The classic line of "they are all the same" is also constantly used and the most frustrating.
Mechanics and customers always think that the job is easy. The perception that you should know A) everything about every car and B) it's an easy job because you look into the computer or book and easily find the answer is completely wrong and laughable at the same time.
Most things can be easy and require no info but others are difficult and yes they do sometimes require a VIN, Engine number or other details that you think are not important.



Paranoid again Davo?

Ok so you think I look like a tool on this one, unlike you on the other ones!





If they are any good at "interpreting" or customer service they may ask some questions to find out rather than "assuming" what I want. There really was no "bait" there just saying it how it is, yet you are so paranoid you think it was aimed solely at you and not at SPI's in general. Yes I do know some good ones amongst some dopes!

Let's go back to the VT.

"I need an oil filter for my V8 commodore"
"is it an ls1 or 5lt"
"not sure"
"what year model"
"2000 I think"
Turn the screen around, "does the engine look like this"
"yeah that's the one"
"ok no probs you need ABC123 filter or vin no to be sure"

Quite simple your interpreting what the customer is asking for....

The funny thing is with that example is that they both take a Z160, lol. Something like an engine mount would of been a better example. Plus we generally don't have a picture of things like the whole engine or where it goes just of the part itself. So that is why you need to know what you are working on or drive. Even bring the owners manual and service books in if your not sure, that generally has enough info to get the right part.


yes it's part of the job (and no-one every whinges about their jobs do they...), but I dont think you understand the outright stupidity and ignorance out there. Anyone on this forum would be (or should be) an exception, but the general public have no idea at all. We can all judge from a distance but until we've been in the other persons shoes we don't have the full story. Oh and yes dealers can use VIN numbers but aftermarket cannot.

Actually the system we use has some use for VIN numbers. Ford is probably the main one that doesn't work and every vehicle isn't able to be deciphered but most times can work.

Also used to deal with genuine Holden and Ford before we got bought out and they were the hardest to find sometimes. The part generally isn't in the section that you think it should be in or isn't labelled what you think it should be labelled as.