The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk FLAPS definition ?

I've seen several references here about going to the " FLAPS " -- I assume that A_P_S must be Auto Parts Store and "L" could be local ?? So, what is FLAPS?

Friendly Local Auto Parts Store,,Brian

Okay,now I see. We don't got none of them around here Just O'reilly's, Car Quest, and some other chain where the english speaking need an interpeter..............

It took me awhile, although I finally figured it out....and that isn't a specific store, but rather, any that fit the bill right?

Yeah, any that fit the bill. But sometimes they're not so freindly when you come in looking for a part for a 50-someodd year old truck. Personally, I use a local family owned old time parts store for most of my parts.

Those are getting harder and harder to find. Most nowadays have some young kids that look at you like you're from outer space, try to look up the part you need on their computer screen, ask a thousand irrelevant questions and come up with a blank stare. Saw a post here the other day about a "parts man" that didn't know what a vacuum guage was!

I like going to the stores that let me look it up myself. Some even let me into the warehouse to "match" my parts up. Those are the stores that get my cash,
Scott

Most of my basic parts, brake lines, gaskets, oil filters(canister type) I am able to get from NAPA and the people there are great. It also helps that we spend enough money for their kids to go to college but I really only have to order specialty parts from out of state. NAPA is one of my favorites.

There's one locally owned non-chain store in this town. The people are definitely more knowledgable, but you pay for that knowledge. I use them some of the time, but either use Autozone or Kragan for most of the car parts that I buy (in addition to on-line shopping).

autozone and advance autos computers go back to at least 1962.it beats waiting for them to look through books.

I have all franchise flaps now, locals all sold out. I still find great, hard working people behind the counter, just not all of them. Some really don't belong behind the counter. The guys at Napa let me look stuff up in the catalogs, I like that 'cuz I think I am more desperate to find the parts than they are. I think FLAPS can carry a beligerant and negative defintion too, depends on your particular experience. In that case, only Parts Store is correct. the others, well nothing to say in front of mom's and daughters...