Exercising restraint was critical when discussing a street rider's insistance on slicks and I nearly bit my tongue off when another complained that we didn't stock bodywork for a bike that was popular when Tom Cruise was flying an F-14. Shoot, I even saved a kid from buying MX gear to ride his new R6 because another shop told him he'd be safe with off-road gear. This was more like a day in the life of Smokey the Bear--putting out fires every minute of the day.
By the end of the afternoon I had gained a newfound appreciation for a knowledgeable parts guy, and an understanding of why some flat out suck.
Equally impressive was the handful of customers who came through the doors with part numbers in hand and a basic understanding of their bike and needs. There's something to be said for someone who knows what they have and what they want.
As I wrapped up the day I realized two important lessons--don't take just any parts guy's advice or recommendation as gospel, and do your homework before hitting the counter.
In regards to the former, not every parts guy is educated, and oftentimes they'll insist on a certain item because that's all they stock or that's what they're promoting. We've all gotten the wrong part before, and trusting someone who probably doesn't own your bike just isn't good practice.