Inspiration seems to rear its beautiful head when you least expect it sometimes. It was a typical Tuesday afternoon, racing from one appointment to the next. Over the thumping bass of track 3 on sales psych up volume 3(yes I create play lists to get pumped up pre-presentation) I heard a strange scraping noise coming from the bottom of my Camry.
My inner Dukes of Hazard voice told me to close my eyes and pin it, and deal with it after the presentation. Thankfully, my inner responsible Dad voice quickly responded "Hey moron, there is a garage right over there, pull it over Luke Duke".
So pull it over I did. After an initial inspection under the back of the vehicle, I could see no visible evidence of a muffler or tail pipe dragging. Moving around to the front, I could see that there was definitely something dangling underneath. Since my automotive skills do not extend much past fill with gas and and washer fluid(I opted for Home Ec in high school to meet girls) I decided to leave it to the professionals.
I called my client and explained the situation and they were quite understanding. I then entered Tony and Joe's auto service, dreaming of an Indy Style Pit Stop, but expecting a "you crazy pal, we are backed up till next week". An elderly gentleman walked in before me.
JOE "Hello Jim, how is Agnes?" Said the man behind the counter to the elderly gent.
OLD GUY "We're good Joe, to busy, but good"
JOE "To busy? Isn't retirement supposed to be for relaxing?" Then he looks over to me and flashes the international sign for I will be with you in one minute.
OLD GUY "So Joe, I want you to change the Oil and filters, and it is making a bit of a squeeking noise when it starts".
JOE "You bet Jim, We are going to check all of the fluids and I think that squeek is probably just a loose belt. We should have you on your way in 20 minutes or so, do you still take your coffee with one cream?"
WOW! I assumed that Joe and Old Guy were old friends, or family or something. Than the benevolent mechanic turned his attention to me..
JOE "Hi I'm Joe, how can we help you today?"
BLOGSTEIN " Ummmm, Hi Joe.... I'm Danny....There is some crap hanging down from the bottom of my car, and I am a complete moron. Any chance you could get it up on that car lifty thing so I can get to my appointment?"
JOE "Jim here has an appointment, but if you don't mind waiting 20 minutes or so we could have a peek. Can I get you a coffee?"
DOUBLE WOW!! Is there a hidden camera somewhere or something? Didn't he know he was supposed to say, "Sorry buddy, we are real busy...You can't just walk in without an appointment".
As I sat and enjoyed a coffee with my new friend Jim, the stresses of my micro world melted away as I witnessed one of the greatest natural salesman I have ever seen practice his art.
JOE "Hi Steve, Is Linda back to work yet? What are we doing to the Nissan today? I will see if Maria can give you a lift back to work."
JOE "Hello Adam, We checked everything on that Chevy, didn't need a thing done to it. It drives great, I think you got yourself a wonderful vehicle here".
JOE "Gina, The minivan is ready to go. Not to worry, you will be able to take the twins to soccer tonight".
Astoundingly, a mere 15 minutes after we met, Joe drove my car into the garage. Another mechanic(Perhaps Tony I'm guessing?) raised it up and looked underneath while I stood beside him. "It's just a cover for the lines, no big deal" he said. He grabbed a couple of tie things, raised his hands above his head and suddenly the dangling cover had dissapeared. He drove the car back out and I proceeded inside to settle up with Joe.
BLOGSTEIN "Thanks so much Joe. It was just a cover for the lines or something. What do I owe you?"
JOE "Oh, don't worry about it Danny. Not a problem, you better get back to work now".
THE TRIPLE CROWN OF WOW!!!
Seriously? He could have easily told me that they couldn't get it in till later tat day. Done the exact same thing while I wasn't there, and told me that I had a displaced Gazinktazoid in my Flufenfloggen and I would have paid the $300 bill. But he didn't, he treated me like a person and was honest and fair and positive.
So Blogstein, you are wondering... What is the moral of the story? Well, I have been taking my car to the same garage for 5 years that is 10 minutes away from my house. They always keep me waiting even when I have an appointment, They never greet me by name, offer me a coffee, ask about my family, or even smile most of the time....because they are sooooo busy(they always tell me that),
Tony and Joe's is no where near where I live. But as long as they are in business, I will take all of my cars to them, and tell everybody that will listen to me about them. All they did was put a few ties underneath my car.
Now you tell me what the moral of this story is?
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