At the counter, two clerks were very busy. Who was next? Nobody seemed to know. You had to wait, then hang close to the counter to get someone to check out your purchase - and just hope that the guy ahead of you isn't having a problem ordering the right part.
A few days later, I had to stop by an auto parts store to pick up some oils and an oil filter. The store was part of a national chain, and I noticed quite a difference between the way they do things and the way we typically do them. The painting and the signs out front were colorful and attractive. Inside there was plenty of good light, and most of the products they offered were attractively arranged by type on several rows of showroom shelves. In fact, almost anything a person would need could be found there. Hundreds of little parts such as fuses, connectors, screws, nuts, bolts, washers, etc., were all there and easy to find in bulk packages.