Stupid things non petrolheads say... Vol 2
Discussion
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There are many of these - a mate once had a Bedford CF 4x4, visited the local dealer (in it) to be told there was no such thing, even though (a) it was outside, and (b) they'd sold it new. I guess that's maybe a bit more forgivable. Memorable one for me was when I went to the dealer to buy a part. After giving them the registration so they could find my car in their system, they ask a load of unrelated questions such as colour etc, then eventually comes the best one, "is it a 3-door or a 5-door?"
The car was only ever made as a 5-door. And this was at a main dealer.
The car was only ever made as a 5-door. And this was at a main dealer.
While on the subject of parts. I called Toyota last year for service parts and general enquiry into what they still make, for my MR2.
Toyota: "Hello"
Me: "Hi, could you put me through to parts please?"
Toyota: "Who is calling?"
Me: "Its 'Mr Sillyhat'. Could you put me through?"
Toyota: "What is it your calling about?"
Me: "I'm calling about getting some parts for an old Toyota"
Toyota: "OK, what model is it?"
Me: "Well, you don't make it anymore and I was hoping to see what parts availability is like"
Toyota: "OK, but what car is it?"
Toyota: " .... "
Me: "So I'm just wondering what other parts you still make for it"
Toyota: "Oh, I don't know what that is. I'll put you through to parts."
Slightly off topic.
I also had a friend who used to say how fast there car was, once the turbo switched on above 30mph. To which I replied with basic theory on how it works, you know that it's based on engine speed and throttle position. Nice and simple to help them out. To them ignoring it totally, saying that there cars is was on all the time above 30mph. To my response of, "Oh cool". They seemed happy with themselves, I wasn't going to burst there bubble.
Toyota: "Hello"
Me: "Hi, could you put me through to parts please?"
Toyota: "Who is calling?"
Me: "Its 'Mr Sillyhat'. Could you put me through?"
Toyota: "What is it your calling about?"
Me: "I'm calling about getting some parts for an old Toyota"
Toyota: "OK, what model is it?"
Me: "Well, you don't make it anymore and I was hoping to see what parts availability is like"
Toyota: "OK, but what car is it?"
- Toyota getting annoyed now*
Toyota: " .... "
Me: "So I'm just wondering what other parts you still make for it"
Toyota: "Oh, I don't know what that is. I'll put you through to parts."
Slightly off topic.
I also had a friend who used to say how fast there car was, once the turbo switched on above 30mph. To which I replied with basic theory on how it works, you know that it's based on engine speed and throttle position. Nice and simple to help them out. To them ignoring it totally, saying that there cars is was on all the time above 30mph. To my response of, "Oh cool". They seemed happy with themselves, I wasn't going to burst there bubble.
limpsfield said:
HappyMidget said:
bad company said:
I also have no idea or interest in what a camshaft is.
Over 15 years on here and you know not what a camshaft is? Impressive.I owned an Impreza turbo a long time ago, brought it second hand off a guy who'd brought it new from Holland when scoobys were sought-after, discounts non existent and waiting lists long.
First service was due so booked into a dealer in East London; service manager picks it up on his way in as he passes my work - handy. At lunchtime my then wife calls me as the garage have phoned home for me, even though they had my work number and I was at work of course.
I call them back and they tell me they haven't been able to start work on my car as they can't find the locking wheel nut key. I ask them if they've actually looked at the wheels, to which they ask why, for me to then tell them that it doesn't have locking wheel nuts... Que rather embarrassed apology and an assurance that car would be serviced and ready for when I finished work.
Even if they were expecting it to have them (I believe UK spec ones did), a quick look at the wheels when they couldn't find the key probably might have given them a clue.
First service was due so booked into a dealer in East London; service manager picks it up on his way in as he passes my work - handy. At lunchtime my then wife calls me as the garage have phoned home for me, even though they had my work number and I was at work of course.
I call them back and they tell me they haven't been able to start work on my car as they can't find the locking wheel nut key. I ask them if they've actually looked at the wheels, to which they ask why, for me to then tell them that it doesn't have locking wheel nuts... Que rather embarrassed apology and an assurance that car would be serviced and ready for when I finished work.
Even if they were expecting it to have them (I believe UK spec ones did), a quick look at the wheels when they couldn't find the key probably might have given them a clue.
limpsfield said:
HappyMidget said:
bad company said:
I also have no idea or interest in what a camshaft is.
Over 15 years on here and you know not what a camshaft is? Impressive.Edited by bad company on Wednesday 26th April 23:11
cvms said:
I owned an Impreza turbo a long time ago, brought it second hand off a guy who'd brought it new from Holland when scoobys were sought-after, discounts non existent and waiting lists long.
First service was due so booked into a dealer in East London; service manager picks it up on his way in as he passes my work - handy. At lunchtime my then wife calls me as the garage have phoned home for me, even though they had my work number and I was at work of course.
I call them back and they tell me they haven't been able to start work on my car as they can't find the locking wheel nut key. I ask them if they've actually looked at the wheels, to which they ask why, for me to then tell them that it doesn't have locking wheel nuts... Que rather embarrassed apology and an assurance that car would be serviced and ready for when I finished work.
Even if they were expecting it to have them (I believe UK spec ones did), a quick look at the wheels when they couldn't find the key probably might have given them a clue.
Bought. First service was due so booked into a dealer in East London; service manager picks it up on his way in as he passes my work - handy. At lunchtime my then wife calls me as the garage have phoned home for me, even though they had my work number and I was at work of course.
I call them back and they tell me they haven't been able to start work on my car as they can't find the locking wheel nut key. I ask them if they've actually looked at the wheels, to which they ask why, for me to then tell them that it doesn't have locking wheel nuts... Que rather embarrassed apology and an assurance that car would be serviced and ready for when I finished work.
Even if they were expecting it to have them (I believe UK spec ones did), a quick look at the wheels when they couldn't find the key probably might have given them a clue.
Ironic given the thread.
threespires said:
In defence of underpaid Parts people everywhere, those parts manuals are poorly written and incredibly difficult to understand.
It takes years to master them, and as soon as you've done that - the stoopid manufacturer decides to revamp the whole system & you're back to day 1.
I think the case with the guy asking for all the details before transferring to the parts department was a case of the guy trying to help out instead of passing every parts call through to an overworked colleague.It takes years to master them, and as soon as you've done that - the stoopid manufacturer decides to revamp the whole system & you're back to day 1.
10b0b said:
On pulling a Model S onto the drive, next door neighbor (nice chap, but a bit simple) gives a it a good ogle.
Him: "Nice motor! New car? Cool! What liter is it?"
Me: "Sorry?"
Him: "How many liter is it? You know engine liters?"
Me: "Did you not notice the complete lack of engine sound?"
Him: "Oh yeah.... oh is it battery? A battery car?"
Me: "Yeah... you're on the right lines"
Him: "Ahhh cool... how many battery liters?"
The last line cracked me up
yea how many litres of battery fluid are in the batteries?!Him: "Nice motor! New car? Cool! What liter is it?"
Me: "Sorry?"
Him: "How many liter is it? You know engine liters?"
Me: "Did you not notice the complete lack of engine sound?"
Him: "Oh yeah.... oh is it battery? A battery car?"
Me: "Yeah... you're on the right lines"
Him: "Ahhh cool... how many battery liters?"
The last line cracked me up
Rostfritt said:
threespires said:
In defence of underpaid Parts people everywhere, those parts manuals are poorly written and incredibly difficult to understand.
It takes years to master them, and as soon as you've done that - the stoopid manufacturer decides to revamp the whole system & you're back to day 1.
I think the case with the guy asking for all the details before transferring to the parts department was a case of the guy trying to help out instead of passing every parts call through to an overworked colleague.It takes years to master them, and as soon as you've done that - the stoopid manufacturer decides to revamp the whole system & you're back to day 1.
Upon arriving to work in my Focus ST 225, questions started,
Colleague:- What engines in it?
Me:- 2.5 turbo, 5 cylinder
Is it diesel?
No its petrol
Why didn't you get a diesel? Is it at least automatic?
No its manual
Oh, why did you buy it then?
Because I wanted something fun with character
Colleague:- What engines in it?
Me:- 2.5 turbo, 5 cylinder
Is it diesel?
No its petrol
Why didn't you get a diesel? Is it at least automatic?
No its manual
Oh, why did you buy it then?
Because I wanted something fun with character
- silence*
Muddle238 said:
Memorable one for me was when I went to the dealer to buy a part. After giving them the registration so they could find my car in their system, they ask a load of unrelated questions such as colour etc, then eventually comes the best one, "is it a 3-door or a 5-door?"
The car was only ever made as a 5-door. And this was at a main dealer.
I went into a Ford parts place, shortly after I had put my private reg on the car. They had the old reg, the new reg, AND the VIN number. Still sold me the wrong bit. (fortunately I checked in the car park and had them change it for the correct bit.) Seriously, they had the VIN number!The car was only ever made as a 5-door. And this was at a main dealer.
That said I give a shout out for one of our local scrappers places, what look like some girls just out of school trying to find a summer job, they sure know different models of cars, and what fits what etc!
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