Had a similar experience today, trying to get some U-bolts to reinstall my rear axle, called 4 different parts stores that I knew for sure sold "universal" U-bolts because I had seen them in the store before. Just wanted to verify that they had the size and width that I needed, well not one person that I spoke with knew what a U-bolt was and told me they either had none or they tried to sell me U-joint straps. I ended up hanging up with the last store after being on hold for 10 minutes while the guy checked his "system" and just drove to the store, there the U-bolts were, right at the front of the store, when I checked out the guy was like, "hey didn't you call earlier, it was like the line went dead"... Talk about air headed folks.