Time to air a pet peeve

BobT-47P15 · August 09, 2010, 11:12:02 PM

Yes, it does seem manners are not in vogue any more, with the younger set.
We send the grandkids money or gifts..........no "thank you" is sent, either via mail or internet or phone.

Same seems to apply on forums in some cases, at least.
I try to say "thanks" for assistance or info.......probably fail to do so occasonally.

Re the auto parts stores.......there are a couple guys in our local O'Reilly stores who've been around a
while, and they know something about old cars.
.......and I've even actually gotten younger ones to look up stuff in the books. Some are willing to learn
and help.

There are some nice and helpful guys on here, but as previously noted, traffic is kinda slow.
I hang out on the P15-D24 forum, and even some on the (gasp) H.A.M.B.
They may use bad language there, and some have attitudes, but many have knowledge and are
willing to share .

Roadcuda · August 08, 2010, 10:19:22 PM

Quote from: Cliff54 on July 14, 2010, 11:43:04 PM
I bought my Savoy some 5 years ago and I joined the POC at that time. After we here in Texas formed our own Regional Chapter I found out that NONE of the members other than me, even visited this site. I receive good information, and enjoy my time spent here. With that said I must say this!
I am a member of a very old fraternal order that is loosing members faster than can be replaced. I fear that the same thing may happen here. The Hobby is changing Gents, and I for one, think that the POC must encourage the MOPAR Muscle car group to join us ... but I doubt that it has been very high on the "TO DO LIST" at the POC. I hope that the POC (and its members) will be more flexible and not go kicking and screaming into the future!

Regards

Cliff Ward (Cliff54)

I am part of the Mopar Muscle car group with a '69 Roadrunner and a '64 Barracuda that has a '65 Commando 273 in it. This car did come with a 273, and I do have that engine. All of my cars are in as built, factory condition and any old Mopar I own will be that way. I often mention the POC to other members of the '69 Roadrunner site I'm a member of and they often say that the POC isn't geared for muscle cars and no interest in joining. I believe one reason for that is that many of these guys have modified their cars in one way or another, just like many cars were back in the day. In fact I often take a little stuff from them for having the dog dish caps on my Runner. But with this group anyhow I know it's all in fun. When I look at Roadrunners for sale it seems that many of those cars now have 440s in them, and they aren't A12 cars. I've also been looking for a '65 Formula S Barracuda 4-speed and again, most of these cars no longer have their original 273s, all replaced with something bigger. It annoys the heck out of me. Don't get me wrong, there are still many Muscle Cars out there that were restored back to original condition. The point is that since many of the people that own Mopar muscle these days want them not for the originality, but for what they were made for, to run fast, look fast, and making any modification necessary to achieve that.

Captain Neon · July 29, 2010, 08:53:10 PM

Sold a lot of Meguiar's wax when people saw my Pinto in the parking lot. Most folks assumed Pinto equalled cheap paint, and if I could make it shine that way it must have been something extra special about the wax I used. Too bad we weren't on commission as I would have pocketed lots bigger checques selling high margin items like fuel & oil chemicals, and detailing supplies. For the parts company that I worked for, no worse sale than the store brand oil filter and five quarts of store brand oil. They actually had negative margins on those items to bring customers in and get them to buy more. I guess that is why they ended up selling to AutoZone with in 5 years up on my exit from retail sales.

36 Ply · July 29, 2010, 09:12:56 AM

The best counter man I ever dealt with (he's about 70 now) owned a '50 Chevy. He started out at Carquest, then was lured to NAPA, and took most of his customers with him. After a few years at NAPA, he retired.

Pat O'Connor

Captain Neon · July 29, 2010, 02:15:33 AM

When most of the auto parts shops are only paying minimum wage to their counter guys, the depth of their knowledge drops precipitously. Most of these guys only know to ask the prescribed questions on the screen and grab the box with the number that comes back. A lot of counter guys were fired from McDonald's.

When I worked the counter 13 years ago, the trend was just beginning. Now you will have just as much luck getting filters and spark plugs at Wal*Mart as you will at most auto parts stores. The better guys work at independent stores and NAPA, but their knowledge is limited to computer controlled SBC engines, and you pay a premium for these ASE-certified counter guys.

I remember a smug SOB that came in to my store and cussed me out for asking front or rear when he asked for brake shoes, and told me ALL cars have pads on the front, and drums on the back. I apologised for not being intimately familiar with his car, but assured him that for quite a while cars had drums on all four wheels including my '78 Pinto in the parking lot. Some cars even have pads on all 4 wheels like my '76 Eldorado did. I then explained to him that I was too busy studying Biochemistry and Emergency Medicine to memorise the entire parts book for his benefit, and then proceeded to invite him to simply memorise the parts numbers for his particular car so he could be assured of the right parts and could bypass my relative ignorance. The older guys there got a big kick out of it, and gave said customer (as he was their buddy) a good ribbing all the way to the till and out the door, and maybe the rest of the weekend for getting schooled by the parts guy.

bigaadams · July 23, 2010, 04:29:32 PM

for sure on the parts guys...parts housessuffer from "terminal" cancer..its a disease that eats at their brains and stifle the common community in the trasfer of wholesale goods..if its not on the terminal it does not exist..the fact you have one in your hand is irrelevant..their is a treatment for the effect of this, called a parts book, they are still available and a cure for a number of ailments..however reading and comprehension then may become an issue..like tyhe guy at the swap meet selling tires, major distributor..I asked the price of the tires on display, 205/75/15..his first question was what car is this going on..I replied that was the most stupid reply I have ever heard in my life..how will that affect the price of the tire on display..

chetbrz · July 23, 2010, 01:52:08 PM

For the most part I have not run across anyone yet in this hobby that isn?t more then happy to talk about their cars, or how to fix them. I think for the most part having an audience to share some experiences with is thanks enough for most.

In the olden days the auto parts counter guy was the man to ask.., but today, good luck !!! Once the computer chokes on the year of your car you are pretty much on your own. I tried to buy spark plugs using the Champion number and the counter guy couldn?t write up a receipt without the year, make, model, #cylinders, AC yes/no, and a list of other useless info which only caused the computer to freeze.

Oh Well ! Times have change and today you Goggle your problem and get inundated with both good and erroneous info. Personally I think it is great and fast but I miss that auto parts guy who seemed to know everything. When you stumped him you knew you had a hard problem and once you fixed it.., you couldn?t wait for something to ask you about it.

My 2 cents, Chet?

CHS · July 22, 2010, 06:02:18 PM

I only recently discovered this web site. I think it is great that we have a place to go and ask questions concerning our cars. Lets face it our cars have become unique. Many of the parts we have are no longer in todays cars. Breaker,points condenser, water distribution tubes, even the distributor. We need to rely on eachother and help when we can. If over time I did not say Thank You, I am sorry. Thank You to anyone that has replied to my post. Even if I don't know the answer, it is interesting to read what others have to say. I concider it a learning experiance.
As for our hobbie dying, it could be. Look at the new cars, same car made for years with little change. The Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda all look alike. American cars look like foreign cars. When I was a kid I was always amazed I could look at a car and tell what year it was and what make it was. They may have been similar but you could tell the difference between a 55 and 56 Plymouth. Grills, tail lights door handles and dashboard were different. Same held true for the 55 and 56 Chevy as well as the 55 and 56 Fords.
I am even more impressed when the owner keeps the car original. I want to see the original body, engine, wheels.
If it were not for us, our cars would have been scrapped along time ago. I know mine almost made it to the junkyard. Instead I like to think I saved a part of automotive history!

Captain Neon · July 22, 2010, 03:30:48 AM

I did a website for one of the POC's regions when I lived there (I won't mention the region's name). The newsletters editor never thought that it merited mention in the monthly newsletter much less included on the masthead. I suspect that this website has a similar problem. Some more seasoned members believe that websites and the Internet are simply passing fads and therefore a website does not bear mention to their regional membership or in advertising.

Interesting story, I planned an excursion to a car-related site relatively close by in a neighbouring state, a trip of ~200 miles. Waste of time, too far to drive, and no interest I was told by the region leadership, and again did not bear mention in the newsletter. I did promote on my own via flyers to other local car clubs. I don't know how much interest was out there as we had three days of unseasonal torrential rain that weekend, and the trip was canceled, and then I moved out of state soon thereafter. However, the next year, a trip of 360 miles was planned to meet with the members of an other region and it was promoted to the hilt, and is now an annual event. It just doesn't make sense to me. I guess it is all in who is doing the planning and suggesting.

David Pollock · July 15, 2010, 01:07:01 AM

No Pat, you have not partnered up with Tonto, HOWEVER, despite disappointments with what might appear to be a lack of appreciation, this forum and others like it , are a valuable source of information and contact with GOOD people. I always liked the story about lending someone $25 and never hearing from them again. The truth is, that it might be the best $25 you ever invested.

From my secluded life on Vancouver Island, and because of the POC, I have travelled to Illinois, California, Oregon, Alberta, Idaho, Montana , Washington and all through my home province of BC. The rewards are countless and while I am not a traveller by inclination (I am a farmer and a home body by nature) the opportunities to meet generous like minded people is invaluable. Just because there are insensitive clods among us only makes us normal.

I was even invited to travel to Istanbul to assist with a restoration and have contacts in Australia and new Zealand whom I would never have made without this forum.

Sometimes those who would abuse us get their just desserts. Several times I have offered valuable parts just for the cost of shipping and been ignored. TOUGH. But other times, new friends have been made and my offerings have been rewarded with generosity. So there it is, we are a microcosm of the human condition. The PLYMOUTH was a common man's car and some of us are more common than others. dp

Cliff54 · July 14, 2010, 11:43:04 PM

I bought my Savoy some 5 years ago and I joined the POC at that time. After we here in Texas formed our own Regional Chapter I found out that NONE of the members other than me, even visited this site. I receive good information, and enjoy my time spent here. With that said I must say this!
I am a member of a very old fraternal order that is loosing members faster than can be replaced. I fear that the same thing may happen here. The Hobby is changing Gents, and I for one, think that the POC must encourage the MOPAR Muscle car group to join us ... but I doubt that it has been very high on the "TO DO LIST" at the POC. I hope that the POC (and its members) will be more flexible and not go kicking and screaming into the future!

Regards

Cliff Ward (Cliff54)

chetbrz · July 07, 2010, 08:44:12 PM

There is a lot to say for the success of the P15D24 forum. I was a regular poster on that site between 2004 to 2007 but due to life stuff I just don?t have the time to immerse myself due to the tremendous traffic. Personally I liked it better when it was a smaller group. I think the main reason for its success is the open atmosphere of the board and the tolerance of the people who participate. The main thyme is Plymouth owners whether modified or not, just a community of people who like Plymouths or just happen to own one for no other reason then because it?s an old car.

When I joined this board my expectations were that it would connect me with the authorities of Plymouth Originality but what I found was that the technical and authoritative members of the POC didn?t frequent this forum with any regularity. I believe that the POC with its adherence to the prim directive have turned away the very people that their prime directive encourages them to influence. Their best opportunity to affectively reach those unknowledgeable Plymouth owners and influence them into the fold, one would think, this forum would be the place to start that dialog.

I will say this, the majority of people I have met on all the forums I participate in have generally provided good council, friendship, and some amusing stories. In these forum communities I have meet people form all points on the globe and the only thing that we all have in common is an old car and most likely a problem that needs fixing.

My sincere thanks to one and all,

Chet?

Go Fleiter · July 05, 2010, 01:52:52 AM

most of its once here very active members lost patience because of the slowlyness of this server.
For me, now it is fast enouigh, but I fear that this is only because of heavily reduced interest...

Did I ever forget To thank? Thanks to all for the fast and valuable helps gotten - keeping my Ply rolling.
Greetings! Go

bigaadams · July 04, 2010, 09:41:00 AM

If one is looking for thanks these days, sadly you are in for a big disappointment. It is just a fact of the times and it will get worse as it goes on as the next generation is even more self centered. As for the number of posting on the P15/D24, the cross section of owners, from stockers, upgraders, modifier and all out race versions are equally represented and discussed. Even those that have brand X engines, though they may get a hiss or boo here or there still yet get to post without fear of being banned. Plus don't forget that along with the Plymouth/Dodge cars, the site hosts the same format for Mopar trucks of the period.

plym_46 · July 02, 2010, 10:52:06 PM

We are living in very ungracious period. People seem to think they are intitled to answers to ther question, and then choose to be insonsiderate of your point of view, or heaven forbid should they disagree with your answer or opinion they take it as a personal afront. Probably better off not hearing from them, rather than listen to ther virtiol should they feel compelled to reply.

I try to answer question as generally as possible so others can apply some or all of it to there needs also, these other types seem to think that the public forum is their personal Q and A source. So if your answer may have som info they did not specifficaly request they get their knickers in a knot.

This and other forums are inhabited by the same folks who populate the rest of the world Some you like and some you don't.

As fas as traffic on this venue, it is a reflection of the POC folks. Most of them still think a telephone tree is an effective means of quick commuication of concerns and issues. This inter web stuff is a bit much for a lot of them.

Last fall several of us tried to get a discussion going regarding POC member issues among the three presidential candidates. I believe only oe actually responded here.

RobertKB · July 02, 2010, 08:17:32 PM

I agree people should at least say thank you for advice given. An update on the problem is always nice as well.

I agree with Bob about the very, and I mean very, limited number of posts on this forum compared to the P15/D24 forum. I occasionally will go and read posts on the P15/D24 but have not been an active poster there for some time as there got to be too many posts dealing with rodding cars and that is something I just do not like. However, I will likely drift back there eventually as this forum is pretty slow. Having said that I did get some great information from Chrycoman (Bill Watson) on a couple of posts I made and was very grateful for that.

I can check this forum once a week and it won't have the postings the P15/D24 has in a couple of hours. I would have thought that Plymouth people would check in here on a regular basis and post things, even off topic if they mark it as such. Not sure how this forum can be made more active as I really like it but the amount of traffic on it is disappointing.

RC Drown · July 02, 2010, 04:46:04 PM

Pat,

I don't know what to say, I do like this forum very much, but compared to the p15-d24 forum. it doesn't get even close to the amount of postings that the p15-d24 forum does. Most everyone on that forum thanks everyone that has had some advice to be given, whether they used it or not. I post photos of my car and Cooper on the p15-d23 forum often, get lots of nice comments, i post them on this site, no one seems to care other than you and a few others, but no where near the volumn of comments on the POC that I get on the p15-d24 site.

Hang in there my friend, this to shall pass:)
Bob

36 Ply · July 02, 2010, 03:30:42 PM

Anyone else feel this way, or am I the Lone Ranger this time? I have both given and asked for advice on this forum. To the best of my knowledge, I've always thanked those who helped me with advice, and provided an outcome as to what advice solved my problem.

In the past couple of months, I (and others) have provided advice on the value of a particular car (I know, it's a real can of worms-it's worth what someone will pay for it), fuel pumps, and recently, turn signals. In the case of the turn signals, it's only been a day, and I realize that there are other things going on in people's lives besides just Plymouth stuff.

In each instance, no feed back. No "thanks for your advice, this is what worked for me', or "I think your advice is full of bull doo-doo" (at least it's feedback), no anything.

Pat O'Connor