average IQ/tools

[carscomefirst]

I think people should have to take an I.Q. test in order to buy tools.

I work in an automotive parts store and deal with people on a regular basis.
customer -This ignition module is defective, it didn't fix my car.
me- what is your car doing?
cust -It won't start.
me- Is it getting spark?
cust- I don't know(I despise this answer because now I know he is an idiot)
me-What does it do when you crank it.
cust-Nothing.
me- what do you mean nothing?
cust-When I turn the key it doesn't do anything.
me- do your headlights turn on?
cust-I don't know.
me- Do any dash lights light up?
cust- Yes(good god we have an answer)
me- how old is your battery?
cust-I dont know.
me- Well, sounds like it might be a bad battery, starter, nuetral saftey switch or a bad connetion. Turn on your lights and try to crank car. Have someone watch them to see if they dim really bad, or go out. If they do, it might be your starter or battery. Bring them in and I'll be happy to test them for you.
If not it might be your NSS, a bad relay, or a fuse.
cust-I'll check that and let you know.
me- OK let me know.
About 3 hours he comes back in. Head to toe grease and grime.
cust-I got my car started. It was in drive. I just need to get my money back on this.($230) I don't need it.
me-Sorry, We don't accept return on installed electrical parts.(company policy)
Module was caked in grease and the pins were all bent.

Just one example of how my week went.

Then I get my parts motor in on UPS.(for my 84 125) Take it out of box and some one tried to remove head w/ a screwdriver and a hammer:wondering :wondering
The timming chain was the only thing holding the head on. So, trying to get the screwdriver out I break a cooling fin. Luckily the jug is in good shape, sans a cooling fin. I can't complain though. It only cost me $53 shipped and has a lot of good parts. Just noy the head/ valvetrain.

[cajun66]

Buddy I feel your pain. I'm a mechanic for the City of Baton Rouge Department of Public Works. I am the heavy equipment specialist and I look after over 300 pieces of equipment operated by "people" who aren't held liable for any damage they do to the equipment. And I'm not kidding. We have a saying at the garage: "We can't fix stupid." We can make it Idiot proof. We can even make it G.I. proof. But we can't make it City proof. These guys could tear up a tungsten ball bearing with a feather duster.

[cybrman]

They're out there alright....everywhere.
There are two kinds of people.....
Those that think there are two kinds of people and everyone else.

[threewheelin-feelin]

I think people should have to take an I.Q. test in order to buy tools.

I work in an automotive parts store and deal with people on a regular basis.
customer -This ignition module is defective, it didn't fix my car.
me- what is your car doing?
cust -It won't start.
me- Is it getting spark?
cust- I don't know(I despise this answer because now I know he is an idiot)
me-What does it do when you crank it.
cust-Nothing.
me- what do you mean nothing?
cust-When I turn the key it doesn't do anything.
me- do your headlights turn on?
cust-I don't know.
me- Do any dash lights light up?
cust- Yes(good god we have an answer)
me- how old is your battery?
cust-I dont know.
me- Well, sounds like it might be a bad battery, starter, nuetral saftey switch or a bad connetion. Turn on your lights and try to crank car. Have someone watch them to see if they dim really bad, or go out. If they do, it might be your starter or battery. Bring them in and I'll be happy to test them for you.
If not it might be your NSS, a bad relay, or a fuse.
cust-I'll check that and let you know.
me- OK let me know.
About 3 hours he comes back in. Head to toe grease and grime.
cust-I got my car started. It was in drive. I just need to get my money back on this.($230) I don't need it.
me-Sorry, We don't accept return on installed electrical parts.(company policy)
Module was caked in grease and the pins were all bent.

Just one example of how my week went.

Then I get my parts motor in on UPS.(for my 84 125) Take it out of box and some one tried to remove head w/ a screwdriver and a hammer:wondering :wondering
The timming chain was the only thing holding the head on. So, trying to get the screwdriver out I break a cooling fin. Luckily the jug is in good shape, sans a cooling fin. I can't complain though. It only cost me $53 shipped and has a lot of good parts. Just noy the head/ valvetrain.

haha what store? i work at advance and i swear to god i have to baby sit them...the worst for me are grown men who want me to install there wiper blades or bulbs...and then theres the people who want me to do major work on there car in the parking lot...and then get pissed when you tell them no...they always ask me if im a mechanic i tell them yup sure am but i dont get paid to be one here so you need to go to a shop...the only mechanic work i do for free is my own vehicles have a nice day:D

[LonesomeTriZ]

I worked in Advance part time while I was in college. I now know new depts of stupidity. I have no idea how many people came in thinking they knew what the problem was just to be wrong and blame me. I remember one guy could not install a valve cover gasket and told me I sold him the wrong one. Then I had to show him how to install it. My wife could tell you how annoyed I was every day when I came home. I have a new respect for those counter people now.

[Gearheadtom]

I do a bit of small engine work on my own. Some of the engines I have worked on were very bad. Mainy the problem is that the oil never gets changed and the blades on lawnmowers never sharpened. I worked on one where the owner said that it wouldn't start, the only problem was that the gas wasn't turned on. I found one in the local dump that I got for free. I took it off the truck when I got home and it started right up.