How crap is your local Autobarn?

[cobo_11]

Just having a whinge really, but the Autobarn I go to is absolutely hopeless!

I have ordered a whole bunch of stuff (oil, gauges, clamps, hose, headunit, etc but not all at once) and never EVER heard back from them. Put my name down and all my contact details, but nothing. Even went in there once to see what was going on after 2 weeks, and noone had any idea.

Yesterday was the last straw, went in to get a T piece and the guy I spoke to said the size I was after doesn't exist! Went to Repco, and bam, had a whole packet of 'em!

Looks like Autobarn have lost a customer and Repco gained one.

Anyone else had exceptionally poor service from an Autobarn store?

PS: It might be because it's a country Autobarn, noone seems to give two squirts. City stores might be different.

[red900ss]

Like any of the chain stores these days service and knowledge have been disposed of. It's obviously too expensive to employ people who know what they are talking about and stock quality products.

A good example is any large hardware store. When was the last time you saw good quality screws and fasteners instead of that crap stuff? Or had someone on hand who actually knew about the product they are selling?

The auto parts chains are the same as the hardware chains (common parent companies probably). You may as well go to K-mart, Big W, etc. At least you can combine all your inadequate advice experiences under the one roof.

[Rezz]

Although I`m not in Oz anymore, thats one of the things I remember most that made me cringe... being told by a 20-year-old shop assistant that something doesn`t exist (when it does).

I think it`s a stuck up pride thing, rather than admit that they don`t know shit and are just working there coz their Dad told them to, they just dust you off. Losers.

Well, not at K`s Online Garage!!!

[Driver]

One of the super cheap auto stores here in perth is the worst place in the world!

Used to be marlows ofcorse, but now its run by school kids who dont know anything!

The place is a mess, there not trained properly and all they do is stuff around in the store anyway.

I did the same thing and went next door to repco.

[Rezz]

Originally posted by Driver

One of the super cheap auto stores here in perth is the worst place in the world!  

Used to be marlows ofcorse, but now its run by school kids who dont know anything!

The place is a mess, there not trained properly and all they do is stuff around in the store anyway.

I did the same thing and went next door to repco.

Is that place across the road from a shopping mall called "La Plaza"? I think it`s next to an Import dealership as well?

If it is, I went in there one time, and those guys (I think they`re Malaysian) thought they knew EVERYTHING about Japan, when, in actual fact, they didn`t know anything. It`s like an Ozzie saying he knows everything about... Alaska.

[dAVE]

well, i must say that the autobarn in mornington (vic) is a POS. I went in there and they dont even have performance parts. Its more just oil filters etc.

However, my local autobarn store when im on holiday is tweed heads and its good. 1 guy owns TWUBLE celica, another a very nice v8 ute, another a WRX and another a skyline... so between them they actually know what they are talking about..... and i always get gooood discounts from them.

supercheap on the other hand is super crap. The fact that a 16 yo school girl can get a job at an auto store is crap. Apart from being generally useless people, the employees at supercheap have no knowledge on cars and trying to get help there can be a pain... so i steer clear unless i know what im after.

[cobo_11]

It really gives me the shits to be honest. You read the Autobarn Hot Products catalogue full of Blitz performance gear, Autometer gauges, top quality stuff and you think to yourself "wow, they've got some pretty good stuff in there, they must know what they are doing" then you go in...OMG, never again.

Super Cheap Auto...talk about the biggest f*#&ing excuse for a auto store. It reminds me of all the B grade movies I've seen.

What I don't get is, Autobarn has got a bloody suped up Supra and Super Cheap sponsor V8 Super cars I believe. So obviously someone knows what they're doing in these companies, why can't they instil it in their employees??

Actually, now that I think about it, they probably outsource all the work on these cars and just whack an Autobarn graphic on it to look like they know what they're doing.

Well, have just started using Repco, so hopefully they are better. Might just have to cut my loses and use online stores like autospeed and MYC, at least they are setup by and run by people who know their stuff.

So much for buying local...

[cobo_11]

might have to start a poll judging by the responses...

[nemz]

my local auto barn in green valley(nsw) is pretty good

[Driver]

heh

there are a few of these shops in perth, they took over marlows - rocka bros as i think its called over east

this one is in balcatta - right next to auto1, repco and sum others.

[EnricoPalazzo]

My opinion of these stores is that i only ever go there if i know eactly what i want. That wat i tell them and get it and dont have to listen to a word of their BS

[Squizz]

This thread is pretty clean so far guys but please make sure it doesn't turn into an Autobarn Sledge-fest or will have to be closed.

For the record I quite like my local Autobarn, although smaller than the local Super-Cheap they have a much nicer layout and friendlier staff. They may not know everything, no one does - except mothers, but if you know what it is you are chasing it's no worries.

I've never had a problem with them.

[JimX]

I went to Autobarn (Auburn) for the first time last weekend to get some thermal wrap and the guy was friendly and helpful. He has a Skyline himself so we talked a bit about them and mods. He even recommended a good oil to get for my next service (Motul). I take this advice as being good as I was planning on getting Motul anyway

The only "complaint" I guess I would have is about the prices of their performance gear. They sell a few different performance bits (including PowerFC's), but the price is usually quite high. Some of it was reasonable (Blitz dump pipe for around $300) but I think rather than keep stock of a limited amount of stuff they should offer a wider range and only get it in when the customer wants it. That would lower their costs (less stock on hand) and also give their customers better options. I think their PowerFC's without hand controller was around $2000.

[T0nyGTSt]

AUburn Autobarn is about the only one I'd try.

Lindsay (manager) knows imports - also a lot of the guys there either drive or know imports too.

T.

[red900ss]

Originally posted by cobo_11

...

What I don't get is, Autobarn has got a bloody suped up Supra and Super Cheap sponsor V8 Super cars I believe. So obviously someone knows what they're doing in these companies, why can't they instil it in their employees??  

Actually, now that I think about it, they probably outsource all the work on these cars and just whack an Autobarn graphic on it to look like they know what they're doing.

....

You honestly don't think they work on the cars do you? Just look at K-Mart Racing, Pedders' rally car, etc. They write the cheques and bask in the glory, that's what sponsorship is all about. :uh-huh:

[95SKY]

i work for repco and the other day i went to my local super cheap(full of school kids) and asked one of them if they sold mothers plastic cleaner for my head lights (repco does not sell it any more) this fella couldnt give me a straight answer kept saying u could use this and this bla bla bla, i told him dont worry about it and i eventually found it. i dont think they have a clue some of them.

[Guest RedLineGTR]

if your nice ot the people that work thier they usally treat u better....most autobarns i go to i get good service.

[camandcandice]

Autobarn have a struck a deal with hks, not really on the subject but oh well

[Busky2k]

Yeah I went to a Super Cheap and asked for a particular NGK spark plug. They had no idea and pointed me in the directino of where they keep em. They didnt have it, I asked, and they said they cant get it in.. and they didnt even bother to look in a book or ring a supplier. Faggots...

[Duncan]

Originally posted by red900ss

You honestly don't think they work on the cars do you? Just look at K-Mart Racing, Pedders' rally car, etc. They write the cheques and bask in the glory, that's what sponsorship is all about. :uh-huh:

I'd be happy to give them glory to bask in

You just have to remember that these guys are not car experts, they are just poorly paid and trained retail staff. When you consider the number of lines these stores carry its no wonder you can get wrong answers.

Surely you're better to buy stuff thru a good workshop (except consumables etc)

And Dino, I'm wondering about those good quality screws you mentioned in your first post :confused: