Western Auto

When I was growing up in Mojave I remember the local Western Auto, located on K Street. I loved to go in there – they had everything for sale.

My dad would go in there when I had a flat on my bike, and he finally bought the thorn resistant ones, because of me riding through vacant lots as short cuts that were full of “goat heads”.

Yesterday I had no idea what I was going to write about for this column. I found several articles that my mother Marion Deaver had written that I could choose from, but none of them got me very excited.

Then, I found a file marked catalogues and I found one from Western Auto. There is no date, but it lists my local “home owned family store” owner as Jean Cain.

I asked my brother Bill if he knew when she owned the store, and we both think it was in the ‘60s. I also think she and her husband owned the store until he died and she continued with it. If I am wrong about that, I apologize, and if you know, please correct me.

When I was little our phone number was “7”, and you would pick up the phone and tell the operator what number you wanted and she would connect you. Then, and I don’t know the date, our numbers changed to seven digit numbers, with dial phones (to join the rest of the world), and my mother was furious. (She did not like change, she liked simplicity.)

I mention this because the back of the catalogue has the phone number listed as “VA 4-2006”. The VA was for “valley” which further infuriated my mother, “Because we live in the desert – not a valley!”

Again maybe someone will be able to give me some dates.

But I digress; this catalogue is fascinating. The back cover says one can buy everything from A to Z, from awnings to zig-zag sewing machines. One could order a tent, a lawnmower, bike, vitamins(really?), or an organ, or a recliner!

If you wished to “enjoy better living ask your W.A man about his easy pay plan.” The other half of the page included a “handy credit application”, which you could mail in, or take to your local Western Auto Store.

The front page of the catalogue included a message from “your Western Auto Man”. This message proudly proclaimed that there was no separate shipping to be charged, because the cost of shipping was included in each item. “The price you see is the price you pay.”

So what happened to that practice?

Another page said it was “easy and fun” to shop night and day, in the “comfort of your home”. But listen to this – it was easy to order – write, shop in person, or phone!

We have forgotten how spoiled we are. Last night I order a sweater and a top, and it took less than five minutes. My merchandise will be here in a couple of days. If I had wanted to pay for express shipping, I would have it tomorrow. Oh yeah, the price of all shipping was extra!

Of course, the Western Auto store’s 55 year pledge to its customers was satisfaction guaranteed or your money back! I believe that pledge, although today some of those pledges from different companies fall short.

Now if you want camping equipment you order from Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s, to get the “best of the best”, because they are the “experts.” If you want clothing, you go to the store, or online to buy that particular style of clothing. If you want furniture, it’s the same thing, although some older companies still sell clothes, tools, and furniture.

At Western Auto one could order all these things. Anything that was needed to set up an entire household and have things to take on vacation were right there.

The company began in 1909 and operated 1,200 stores in the United States. It was sold in 1964 to Sears, and then sold to Advanced Auto Parts in 1998, and by 2003 the Western Auto brand was no more.

Awww, I miss my old bike with those thorn proof tires, which only cost $2.99.