I'm not sure, but, I think the parts department is of the attitude that they're there to service their service department. Therefore, if you come in asking for a part, it means you're screwing their parts department out of $$.
Funny thing. I used to have to buy parts for my 80 Capri. I'd go into the parts department at a local Ford dealership, and get treated like an inconvenience. One day, I had to run in to get parts and grabbed a jacket out of the closet and rushed in. I noticed that they were treating me nicer than usual. Came to me right away, was very attentive, rushed the part right to me. I went to the car in utter amazement. Then, I noticed I'd grabbed my old Chevron jacket out of the closet that I wore when I worked at my Uncle's Service Station. Aha! Then, I looked at my bill and noticed they'd given me a 10% discount. WOW! Sometimes you just have to learn to dress for the occasion.
