Sears Service & Repair Center

[Molly Brown]

I went to my local Sears Service & Repair Center today. I needed a part for an appliance. Before I went I found the part at

For a few seconds I hesitated. Should I just order it off the internet or not? Then I remembered that I had to go to the general area of the store for something else anyway so I decided to just go and get it in person. I went in and after a few minutes of waiting for the counter guy to finish talking on the telephone: =93Hi, I need a part=94 =93Do you have a model or part number?=94 =93Yes, I have a part number it=92s=85=85=85=94 =93What is it for?=94 =93A dishwasher=94 =93What brand is it?=94 =93Does it matter? I have the part number=94 =93Is it a =85=85.. or =85=85.. or=85=85=85..?=94 =93It=92s a =85=85=85.=94 =93Do you have a model number?=94 =93No I don=92t have the model number. Why do I need a model number? I gave you the part number=94 =93I need a source code to find the part=94 =93You have a computer in front of you. I went on the internet and found the part on YOUR web site. I could have just ordered it right there and then and nobody would have asked me anything about a model number or a source code if I had. Why don=92t you just get on the internet and Google the part number. YOUR web site is going to come up and you can see for yourself what part I want.=94 =93I don=92t have internet on the computer and I need a source code=94 =93Do you mean to say I can do in my home on my own computer on the Sears web site what you are unable to do in here in this Sears store?=94 =93Yes=94 =93So I guess you=92re one click away from the unemployment line huh?=94 He gave me a blank stare.

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, Didn't know that? They are robot or parrot.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Not a surprise. My experience was buying a battery for a piece of equipment at work.

I was looking at batteries in the auto store and measuring them to find the right one.

Salesman: No need to do that, we can look it up I want to get the exact size Salesman: We can find any battery OK, its for a '59 Baker forklift Salesman: What was the measurement you need?

[Stormin Mormon]

I had the same experience at BJ's Wholesale Club. The idiot insisted he could help me by looking up the exact battery I needed. I assured him he could not. He assured me he could. I shouda wagered himn twenty bucks that the application wasn't in his super computer.

Year? 1980. Brand? Dodge. Model? Van, B-200. "Oh, it takes this battery...." "That's the starting battery. I want the B-battery." "???" "The one that sits on the floor behind the drivers seat, and provides power to the Redi-Line generator and charges through a cable and switch on the dash." "???"

This was in about 1995 or so, and coulda been a quick twenty for me.

[Roger Shoaf]

Back in the 70's My dad went to the local Sears as they were having a sale on steer manure and mom wanted some for the garden. They said that they were out, but had several pallets in back and asked him to wait while they brought some out. While he was waiting several other folks had gathered for the same thing and one lady was complaining that it was terrible that they were being made to wait so long.

My dad quipped "I know what you mean, I have been doing business with Sears and Roebuck for about 40 years or so, and this is the first time I have been asked to stand in line to get their bull shit."

The lady said nothing and sort of moved away from dad, others were suppressing a chuckle and I think it was the first time I recall my dad slipping with his language around me.