I have had it with the " Support your Local Business" crowd

[Michael]

I noticed my A/C was cycling a little too often when I used it this year, so I figured a bit of Freon escaped over the winter. I have not put gauges on it yet but I wanted to get a can or 2 just to have on tap. The attitude from the "local business" and unwillingness to offer any help has now changed my mindset.

Parts store #1
Me: Do you have any Freeze 12?
Him: No you can't get that stuff without a license
Me: No, not R-12, Freeze 12
Him: Shrugs shoulders and just says no...(just because he hasn't heard of it, means he doesn't carry it, nor can he order it)

Parts store #2
Do you carry any Freeze 12?
Him: Not since 1972...(what? did he mean 1992, or was he just trying to make a point that it's out dated?)
Can you order me some?
Him: No, it's banned, you need to retrofit
Not R-12, freeze 12, the drop in replacement for R-12
Him: No we don't carry it

I have always tried to support local business when possible before ordering online. It's usually a little more, and with tax, a little more on top of a little more, but I was all about going to the little guy before heading off to Walmart or Amazon. After these last few days I have changed that mindset. It's not that they didn't carry what I needed that bothered me, it was the attitude I got and the complete unwillingness to help. Walking in a auto parts store and asking for Freeze 12 is like being at a PETA fundraiser and ordering the veal. I went to a quite a few parts stores thinking they could at least order me some, I didn't mind the wait. Nope, not even going to try and help, we don't believe in staying R-12, so we aren't going to help you was the perceived attitude. Fine with me, I went online, ordered 2 cans of Johnsons and they will be here early next week. After today, anything and everything I need I am going to buy wherever I can get the best deal....and 90% of the time it's going to be online.

[wrkey]

Not all parts stores are that way and I don't like to generalize but I can certainly sympathize with your sentiment.

I have a 2003 Bayliner with a MerCruiser I/O and over the winter season the alternator decided to seize up. Here's my experience:

1. Boat seller/shop 1 : Looked for the part... did find in their computerized system. Said they don't stock it. Can you order it? Answer: Possibly but I don't know if I could find a supplier. (I GAVE them the part number and brand off the OEM alternator.) Obviously they weren't interested in trying.

2. Boat Seller/shop 2: Them: We don't carry parts for a boats over 5 years old. Me: I think the alternator might be same for later years. Them: I doubt it... but you can contact Palmer Power down in south houston, I'm sure they'll have it. (I live North of Houston so it's at least an hour and a half trip.)

3. Palmer Power: Gave them the part number... didn't match. They were wiling to search for me and cross reference and found that they did have the part in stock. Cool... how much? (here I'm thinking I'll just take a long lunch and run down there) It will $229 plus tax. :jawdrop: I had done research and found the average online price ranged from $90 to $130. I told the person on the phone this information and their reply was (with out evening thinking) "we get $229 for ours". Not from me you don't and I said goodbye

I went online yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon and ordered the alternator - $90 SHIPPED! NO TAX!!! It will be here Monday.

Sigh.

[thirdmanj]

Are they really independent parts stores, or are talking about an Autozone or NAPA. I know that not all are the same, and some chains are practically independent, but I see what you mean. I like supporting local businesses when I can. But for things like auto parts, or tools, it doesn't really make practical sense. If you are meaning "support local business" as in buying everything you can locally, then I see what you're talking about. But I don't classify patronizing Lowes, or Autozone as "supporting local business".

[Farrar]

Freeze-12, like most drop-in R-12 replacements, contains a small amount of R-12. I was able to buy it at my local NAPA-supplied shop, but had to present my license to them the first time.

[TTait]

Freeze-12, like most drop-in R-12 replacements, contains a small amount of R-12. I was able to buy it at my local NAPA-supplied shop, but had to present my license to them the first time.

I don't think there is, this was covered in in the online test I took years ago to get a R12 license. I think the guy behind the counter was uninformed or effing with you.

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Freeze-12-Refrigerant-R134a/10000000005615895/g.html

T

[Farrar]

I think the guy behind the counter was uninformed or effing with you.

Gee, and I thought I was ineffable.

;)

I took the book version of the test too many years ago to remember. Fortunately, I've converted my D to R-134a.

It's possible the guy was misinformed; the shop went through a bad spot and everyone was replaced. Maybe for incompetence! :lol:

[Soundkillr]

My understanding is that freeze 12 has been phased out just as r12. It is no longer being produced, and therefor will no longer be available in stores. Most employees were very uneducated about this stuff when it was new let alone the fact it's not available now. I had several people ask me for certification when I bought it years ago. I found a simple confrontation always caused them to cave and sell it to me. It was legal to purchase without certification. It sucks, because this stuff really did work. Now prices are almost comparable to old stock r12. I got so frustrated I bought 12 cans of 12oz r12 on eBay, for a very resonable price (cheaper than asking price of freeze12) with intent not to resale, and have it installed by a qualified technician with certification. Btw, I hate the EPA.

[nofear365]

I recently purchased a battery for my Jaguar XK8. My local mom and pop shop wanted 190 for the battery (it's HUGE). It was an off brand battery with a logo of a fist holding a lightning bolt. Yeah... I'll pass...

I shopped around the brick and mortar shops and found they averaged $165. Things are looking better!

Long story short, coupon code FATHERS2U for Pepboys got me a Bosch battery with tax for 104! Can't beat that!

[TheDon]

Next time watch advanced auto I bought a massive 1000 CCA group 49 battery for my diesel for like $60. Ridiculously awesome discount, coupon, and coupon code.