[El Jay]

We got a couple of "Mr. Smith" type stores in this burg that I live in.
And you've probably read me raving on both of them in the past.

One is the local, Mom & Pop owned CarQuest, and the other is the NAPA store that has had the same counter folks literally for years.

F'rinstance (now I'll admit isn't nearly as complicated as a battery adjustment) but I dropped into the NAPA store, only because it's about 1 mile closer to my house than the CarQuest & I was in a bit of a hurry; more on that in a second!
I walked in & the counter guy asked, "Can I help you?"
Me: Yep. Need a 160* thermostat for a small block Chevy.
CG: Need a gasket too?"
Me: Yep.

He turned and walked away, back somewhere into the bowels of the store. Less than 60 seconds later my parts were sitting on the counter. No find it on the computer, no looking stuff up in catalogs. The kid knew exactly what I needed & where it was.

I was out of that store in less than 3 minutes.

As for the CarQuest, I go in and say I need this for my Chevy, or that for my GMC and the questioning is usually along the line of, "When are you going to get that Chrysler running?"

For batteries, I usually go to Costco. No hassles there. But, my cousin's kid is the tire shop manager, which may help me a little bit.

Now, as for being in a hurry at the CarQuest, and I'm telling you folks "HEED MY ADVICE!"
If you ever have Andy &/or Mike (LHM, or fine69) visiting; DO NOT TAKE THEM TO A PARTS HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

When they were here back last Dec., it took us an 1 1/2 hrs., or more, just to buy an alternator belt. Them 2 guys never shut up! All they do is B.S., B.S., B.S!
Then when Mike was here earlier this month, I made the mistake of taking him to the CarQuest because I needed a couple things for my Chevy. Probably took us another hour to get out. And the dang pats were just there on the shelf!!!

I apologize for going off topic, but I felt the obligation to warn my "truck brothers & sisters" about these 2 nefarious rogues.

LJ