How to Price Auto Parts Fast

My pickup truck failed its safety inspection last weekend. One of the front shock absorbers needed replacement.

So I looked up the phone numbers for 3 nearby auto parts stores and let my fingers do the walking. Using the following script I've used for years, I called for pricing and availability:

Parts Guy/Girl: [Store name] Auto Parts. How can I help you?

Me: Hi, I need to get a quote for front shocks for my '91 Toyota Pickup

Parts Guy/Girl: Is that four wheel drive or two wheel drive?

Me: Two wheel drive.

Parts Guy/Girl: Which engine does it have?

Me: 2.4 liter.

Parts Guy/Girl: Ok, we have [Brand X] for $x and [Brand Y] for $y each.

Me: Do you have it in-stock?

Parts Guy/Girl: Yes, both types are in-stock.

Me: What's the part number on that?

Parts Guy/Girl: [part # X] and [part # Y]

Me: And how late are you open?

Parts Guy/Girl: Until 9 pm each night.

Me: And what's your name?

Parts Guy/Girl: [first name]

Me: Great, thanks very much.

In a couple of minutes I had called and found prices ranging from $20 to $62 each. So replacing the pair would run from $40 to $124 for parts. I wrote everything down so I knew which store had what for how much, and who I spoke to. That always comes in handy if you show up on site and the rules have changed. You can hold someone accountable.

Then I price shopped online using Google and Amazon. The prices were in between, not including shipping and waiting.

Next I called up the manager of the service station where I had the inspection done (he was out when I was there) to get a labor quote. Ninety dollars. Ok, fair enough.

So I just went to one of the local shops and picked up a pair of shocks for $40. Total bill will be about $130 plus $16 to get the truck reinspected.

The moral of this post is that when you know what needs to be done and it's pretty routine, use a script to get it done quickly.