Navigating the world of used auto parts can be challenging, requiring patience and a degree of expertise to find the right components. For those in the automotive repair and restoration community, businesses like Barney’s Used Cars & Parts Cars are often essential resources. However, a recent customer experience highlights how crucial knowledgeable and respectful customer service is in this industry. This account details a frustrating encounter at Barney’s, leaving a potential customer empty-handed and questioning the business practices.
The interaction began with a phone call regarding a specific part: a TBI intake manifold for a 1993 Chevrolet Suburban. The customer, familiar with Barney’s online inventory, noted the presence of the desired intake and inquired about a potentially rarer, compatible intake from a 1996 G30 van. The communication quickly faltered when, instead of clarifying the request, the Barney’s representative on the phone abruptly concluded the call with “So how many total? 2? Okay we will get 2 pulled and call you,” and hung up. This immediate miscommunication signaled the start of a deeper problem.
Determined to rectify the misunderstanding and ensure the correct part was identified, the customer drove to Barney’s Used Cars & Parts Cars in person. Upon arriving, an attempt to explain the situation to a staff member at the counter was interrupted by another man who took over. This individual, who turned out to be Barney himself, immediately steered the conversation towards the quantity of intakes desired. When the customer tried to discuss the specifics of the required part, including the nuances of pre-87, 88-95 TBI, and 96+ Vortec intake patterns, Barney became dismissive and rude. He insisted the customer was mistaken about GM’s engine configurations, even declaring, “Nope, GM never did anything like that.”
Despite Barney’s apparent lack of knowledge regarding older SBC engine variations and the customer’s willingness to demonstrate the part difference in the yard, Barney refused to engage further. His outright refusal to “waste my time on that” effectively ended the discussion and lost Barney’s Used Cars & Parts Cars a potential sale of two intake manifolds. The customer, initially intending to purchase, left empty-handed and bewildered by the encounter.
Further research at home only compounded the frustration. Online forums and GM parts websites confirmed the existence of the very intake the customer was seeking – the obscure, one-year-only intake from the 1996 G30 van. These resources directly contradicted Barney’s confident assertion that “GM never made anything like that.” This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of product knowledge and respectful customer interactions in the used auto parts business. While having a vast inventory like Barney’s Used Cars & Parts Cars is valuable, it is ultimately undermined by poor customer service and a lack of expertise from the owner himself. For those seeking reliable parts and knowledgeable assistance, this experience suggests caution when considering Barney’s Used Cars & Parts Cars.
