So not cool
Monday, July 26, 2010 at 11:44AM 
Erica was obliged to go out of town this weekend. She went to Georgia.
You know. Cracker land!
Being truly white, we had no doubt she'd fit right in.
How she looked forward to her trip! As we are wont to do.
Before she left, TG and I urged her to take her car in for some service she'd been putting off.
So she did, last Friday. I followed her so as to provide a ride back home.
While at the service center she asked Mr. Goodwrench to check her tires and fluids as she was going on a trip.
OK sure thing! he said. He might or might not've added little lady!
Some Like It Hot ... But Not Us
Only, she wasn't ten miles down I-20 West on Saturday before her car overheated.
Of course she called her father, who hastened to her rescue.
Turned out her cooling system was woefully lacking in that sine qua non of engine temperature regulation: coolant.
TG got her back on the road and she made it to the Peach State without incident. And had lots of fun with the crackers.
Met nary a black panther, God be praised.
Although that may've been a possum peeking out of the woods.
I Love The Smell Of Retribution In The Morning
Today TG showed up at the service center right about the time they opened. He even beat the manager up in.
He shared a copy of Erica's invoice with a pair of Mr. Goodwrenches-in-training who were minding the store.
They were duly apologetic (not apoplectic ... that was me) when TG pointed out that they hadn't done their job and it had resulted in two people suffering extreme aggravation (in 102-degree heat, I might add), not to mention possible damage to Erica's car and (heaven forfend) even injury to her person.
Permanent Denizens Of Sorryville
Oh, sorry, sir! That shouldn't have happened. But we can't do anything till the manager arrives.
Plus she'll have to bring the car back in.
Okefenokee-Dokie! We'll leave it at that. Who cares that Erica now must surrender her vehicle a second time so they get a second pass at what they should've done in the first place?
Or let the trained monkeys handle? You know ... the ones they keep on hand to organize the wrenches?
So not cool.
Fail.
I recommend she sue.
Reader Comments (14)
One of my greatest finds when we moved to Oregon was a mechanic that I could trust. I never even ask him for a quote, I just surrender the car (and he will always give me a ride home if I need one) and tell him to take care of it. That and a good doctor are all I need. Oh, and a dentist. Burial plot up on the hill and I'm here to stay.
Sue ... see, for me, when I move? It's all about the hairdresser! LOLOL
A few years back an old geezer darted across the street from a business and hit my Durango. His fault and the first accident I have ever been in where I was driving. That's saying a lot because I have been driving since I was a kid.
Anyway, the car had to be towed to Jackson to the place the insurance company recommended. The old geezer's insurance was paying but my insurance company chose the repair place. Over $5,000 of damage to the front, radiator, hood, lights, etc...
When it was all fixed like brand new hubby and I went to get it. We left the loaner car and drove about a mile or two when the engine light came on, the car was running really hot. We called them, they came, oops...
They did everything perfectly except remember to put coolant in the engine. Their bad. They filled it up and we were on our way. No complaints other than that.
She's still running great and I plan to keep her until I cannot depend on her to get me where I want to go.
I hate trading cars.
She was very lucky her dad knew what to do. It's times like that that I'm not sorry I don't drive. Even though most of the time I AM sorry I don't drive.
Debbie ... I'm with you on hating to trade cars. I watch the odometer with dread because I love my car and don't want it to wear out! I guess anybody can make a mistake with fluids, LOL ... but when it's my kid they make the mistake with (and a girl kid at that), it makes me mad because it's so irresponsible. But all's well!
Irene ... I wish I didn't have to drive! I think it's so brave how you ride the buses.
Jenny, it's only been about 4 years that I've been having my hair cut, so I guess it hasn't been an issue. Now, if I ever move again (NOT!), it would be.
She should definitely sue. ANY act that is capable of preventing someone from inhabiting the great state of Georgia is lawsuit worthy!
I like the chronological order of the photos. 1) About to leave for Georgia. Happy. 2) Blocked from a speedy visit to Georgia. Unhappy. 3) Contemplating lawsuit.
All that's missing is a photo of Mr. Greg putting the fear of God into Mr. Goodwrench.
Sue ... and I've been having my hair cut SINCE I was 4 ... LOLOL
Kev ... agreed! I'm on the case. You got the order of the pics! I knew you would! She's home and tired but by all appearances she is poised to move to Georgia! Details to follow! And if I'd been inclined to get up that early I would HAVE a pic of TG's "come to Jesus" meeting with Mr. Goodwrench! Luckily TG's the last of the nice guys ... present company excepted, of course! No blood was shed.
Ugh! I hate mechanics and having to take the car in for anything! How hard is it to DO YOUR JOB???? And I'm such a cynic, but it totally figures that you take your car in to make sure it's in top shape before going on a trip and instead, they make sure it breaks down during your trip. It makes it look like they did it on purpose. Even if you don't sue, they deserve a good wet noodle whipping.
Me again. So, I followed your links at the beginning of the post. Thought you might like to know that I checked "other" on the census form and wrote "American" in the blank. I hate this tendency to categorize by race of origin and I do everything within my feeble power to thwart it.
8-D
Margaret ... a wet noodle whipping and a tongue lashing ... and perhaps refund some of the money the customer paid for the work that didn't get done!
Sue ... see, I like being Caucasian! I'm not an other! I'm Irish! LOLOL But I do love being an American best of all. 8-D
@Jenny: Poised to move to Georgia, eh? That sounds like huge news! Kudos to Mr. Greg for showing restraint and not making Mr. Goodwrench pay for his incompetence with blood. I trust he did shave the man's head, though. Yes?
Kev ... actually the move is looking dubious now! Maybe it's a good thing because her car continues to act up!