Tuesday, March 8, 2011

I thought you said just a splash….

Several months ago I got a flat tire during the busiest time of day, at the busiest intersection in Atlanta. I needed tire TLC so I made an appointment to take the car to the dealership. The last time I was at the dealership, it was to drop off the loaner car which had been semi-coated in Monster.

Upon arriving at the dealership, a comedy of errors ensued. The dealership indicates it will take 90 minutes to fix so the car service took me home. Forgot my house key at the dealership? No problem. Keypad entry to the house always works. My service tech indicated I would be phoned around 11 to be picked up and returned to the dealership. Perfect. 

Hours pass and no call. As I am home with NO vehicle which thwarts my many plans, I call at 3 pm. They are almost finished but they have no drivers to pick me up. Hmmm. They put me on hold.  Back on the line, they tell me a service tech will come and get me but he is new and young so I should be prepared.

Me: Young like he is spunky with a vigor for life or young like he has just gotten his driver’s license?
Him: Hahahahahaha. Young just out of college but he has never driven in Atlanta.
Me: Hmmmmm. Ok. (Not remotely confident in his ability to transport me safely.)
The young man calls me to get directions. He could not be more nervous. He arrives and I enter the car.  He is still so nervous, he is literally driving about 20 mph below the speed limit.
We take 30 minutes to do a 10 minute drive. All fine. Despite the horn honks and a few New York City style finger waves, he could not be any nicer. Valet leaves to pull my car around so I wait outside. It is 22 degrees which makes 5 minutes feel like 50. I finally go inside because I am turning blue. Then I am told they can not find the car.

What?

I see a car that looks like ours and say “Is that it?” To which the young man who looks JUST like McLovin says, “No, your car is white.”
Me: Mmmm. My car is silver. Just like that car.
Him: Oh!
He goes outside again. No luck.
Upon his return, McLovin says he can’t find it. This has never happened I assure you. I tell him to hit the key fob because the car will beep. The admin says that only works within a certain distance. How about 15 feet since I am pretty sure that is my car visible from the front waiting area. 20 more minutes pass and finally my Service Manager comes and asks me WTF I am still doing there. I tell him. He calls McLovin, gets my key fob, walks right outside to the car I already think is mine, hits the sound and sure enough. BEEP BEEP and he hands me my keys. Thanks Jim Rockford.

I go on my way after a completely hijacked day, and a VERY long period of time waiting at the dealership during which I had to reroute my Hub to fetch our child. 

As I drive away, I swear I hear a karmic whisper from the underbelly of the dealership: Ahhh...we remember you...we thought you said it was just a "splash"

20 comments:

Jenn @ Youknow...that Blog? said...

Wow... serious lack of brain cells there! They don't inspire too much in the way of confidence, do they!

Have a seriously cool day!

vanilla said...

That you maintain your sense of humor given these circumstances is indeed admirable.

I'd tell you I laughed, but you might smite me upside the head.

Carrie said...

Wow, creepy visual, there at the end! It sounds like you held your composer through the ordeal, though. I think that works karma points back your way.

Mrs. M said...

Never take your car to Tires are Not Us! Too funny!!

Brian Miller said...

ugh...had my day hijacked by tires here recently as well...you know NASCAR can do it in 12.9 seconds...hmmm...at least you can chuckle about it now...

choose to be happy blog said...

oh my goodness! i live in Atlanta too! my car DIED on peachtree!! i freaked out, called 911 and everything because i was so afraid others would hit me even with my hazzard lights on. Luckily people stopped and pushed my car to the side.

Love that you blog and live in Atl!

Kristina P. said...

Awesome. Wow.

Little Ms Blogger said...

It's times like this that make me realize I really need to work on my "patience" level.

Unknown said...

I have a niece who is in some sort of management postition at McKesson in Atlanta. She has a 45 minute commute to work and says the traffic is awful!

brokenteepee said...

Methinks they owe you lunch at the least....

Eric said...

Tracked vehicles (tanks) are underrated.

HalfAsstic.com said...

Kudos to you for handling it all so well! First class!

Lizzy said...

You handled better than I, tire problem means for sale sign for me

Lizzy said...

You handled better than I, tire problem means for sale sign for me

Slamdunk said...

I am thinking after that "experience" all family car stuff will be delegated to your significant other--or he gives you his ride and then has to negotiate logistics with the dealership for your vehicle.

I am glad that I got the Jim Rockford crack--my dad still enjoys those old reruns.

J.J. in L.A. said...

I'd find another garage when/if the car breaks down again. lol!

mandatorybloghere said...

but what the real question is ...was young driver nervous just out of college guy hot? cuz if he was hot..its all cool

the walking man said...

Uhhhhhhhhh

1. 90 minutes to repair a flat at a dealership?

2. If you had refused transport away from the place your car would have been fixed in 15.

3' If you were certain the car you were looking at was yours why did YOU not take the Sevice advisor out there with your keys and hit the button.

4. How did it feel to drive with a kid that just got his license last week do you feel prepared for MiniMacs driving days now?

5. hahahahahahahahahaha and that is from one who spent three decades in the automotive service industry.

Maria said...

WOW. As a teacher, I apoplogize. Now how he got through college is beyond me...Maybe he went to one frat party too many?

Glad you are mobile again. Now stay clear of that dealership, for goodness sakes!

Julie H said...

I thought for sure you were going to say they didn't even fix the tire lol! I've been filling up my tire over and over trying to get it to last until the tax money hits my account and I can buy 2 new tires.