Anyone else remember the days when you might walk into an auto parts store and get treated like a second class citizen if you didn't work for a local garage? And God help you if you needed a part for a foreign car. And when needing a part for a washing machine or something else around the house, the person behind the counter would often say, "No, but I can order it for you."

Today, any part you need is just a few clicks away. And should you need help, there's always someone you can call or online chat who is more than happy to answer any question you might have. And of course, all you need is YouTube to show you how to replace it.

A good friend recently got his Massey tractor stuck in gear and reached out to me for help. A quick Google and I had all we needed to get it back in neutral. And there's no way we would have ever discovered how to do it on our own.

Today, I have to bite my lip when someone tells me "No, but I can order it for you."

youtube has about everything but i still need a pro to do it right

You don't need a pro to install washing machine agitator dogs. $3 for a set. Thanks for saving me $150 YouTube.

Let's not forget how being able to take and store a photo with your smartphone has many uses as well. Want to know how it was put together before you started? Take a photo of it. Need to record part numbers? Take a photo of it. Need a photo so you can send it to an expert for feedback? Take a photo of it and email or text it to them.

I tell my kids they should be the smartest generation because they literally have everything at their fingertips. But they're too busy watching the Kardashians and looking at memes.

Not a great do-it-your-selfer on auto stuff, I got what I thought was a high bid for front rotors/pads for my truck.....went to youtube....realized how easy it was....saved 400 dollars

My problem is getting back up after doing most DYI.

I'm reaching that point Bill.
It's a rare project that I couldn't do for myself. These day's I have to weigh the time it takes versus the time I have (and the effects on my old back)

I get a lot of information from the net. I tend to watch manufactures videos. I find self proclaimed experts entertaining.

It has removed the embarrassment of buying magazines.

All the above is spot on.
Another sort of opposite benefit is from being able to tell before you get the parts and bail off into it is when something is better left to a pro.
My brother wanted to replace his springs on his garage door. How hard could it be right?
I tried to tell him all the potential injury that could happen if things went south.
Only after him doing some research online and in spite of the youtubes showing how to do it, he (wisely imo) decided to let the door guy come out and do it.

Wait.... What??? You still have a washing machine with an agitator???

You ain't wrong about the spring on the garage door. It's an accident waiting to happen.

Never mess with garage door spring, unless you know what you�re doing

mad wisdom.

Ill buy a used one with an agitator on the bad side of town before I buy one of them new pieces of carp. I haven't talked to a person yet who has a new one and likes it. And they are not nearly as simple as the old ones.

I googled it and did it myself. It is dangerous only if you do it too intoxicated.

You have to keep springs at home for replacements, otherwise the shipping wait is what will get you.

I bet I have easily saved my family a $100,000 in repair bills on vehicles... dreaded garage doors, appliances and whatever else. I like working on things, I should have been a mechanic, I would be happier with grease under my finger nails.

I built my AR15 step by step from Youtube

Do you hire out?

Agreed.

And when you're ready to hire the work out, there are websites that will give you some idea on what it should cost. It's a major red flag when someone quotes you a price that's out of line, or tries to tell you they're not sure what the final price might be. If they're performed the repair enough times to be good at it, they know damn well what it will cost to repair.

Its made it easier for me to decide what projects to tackle vs. farm out.....

Pics on phone has been a huge help in getting the right parts or advise....

Used it today to diagnose an issue with a guy in PA who had an issue...we sent pics back and forth and two short phone calls....problem resolved....

You can buy them locally. I�ve done thousands of them.

I watched a youtube video on how to change the battery on my old ipod. I ordered the battery. I botched it completely. When will I learn to leave well enough alone. It was working and I only played it in a speaker system/charger thingy.You gotta have a bench, one of those big swing-away magnifying glasses, very special tweezers, and steady, small hands.