I work at a call center for a major car rental company (at least for a few more months...check out my thread below.) I handle roadside assistance nationwide. I set up tows, exchanges, give advice, etc. For most tows we have a list of tow companies that we go through. In Florida we go through another service similar to AAA that has their own network of providers. We call them, give them the info, they dispatch a tow truck. Sometimes it takes them quite a long time and ETAs get broken, bad things happen. There's just a bunch of kinks that still need to be worked out.
That being said, I got a fairly odd, and horrible call yesterday.
Me: Me
PG: Poor Guy
*********************************************
Me: Thank you for calling XYZ car rental company roadside assistance, my name's Roadside, how can I help you today?
PG: I've been on the side of the road waiting for my new car. First I was told an hour, then I was told another 30 min...it's been 3 hours total and I still don't have a car!
Me: *Checks notes on contract. Someone had called in and it was going to be another 45min* I do apologize sir, but it looks like it will be about another 45 min before they arrive with the new car.
PG: You don't understand, I have to have this car now.
Me: I apologize sir, they're coming as fast as they can.
PG: No, you don't get it. I have to get to a funeral, it's very important.
Me: I'm very sorry sir. If I could get the truck there any faster I would, but that's the time that they gave us.
PG: No, you don't understand. I have the deceased's remains in the car and the honor gaurd is waiting for us.
Me: *Presses my handy-dandy mute button so the customer can't here me* HOOOOLLLLY SHIT. *Presses mute again* I'm sorry sir. I will call the tow and have them call you back to see if they can expidite that in any way.
END OF CALL
I've had people be late to funeral before, weddings, birthdays, graduations, and the like. It happens. Cars break down. But this is the first time I've ever had a guy late for his own funeral. I just hope when I'm on my way to my final resting place, I'm not being hauled around in a rented, blue PT Cruiser.
That being said, I got a fairly odd, and horrible call yesterday.
Me: Me
PG: Poor Guy
*********************************************
Me: Thank you for calling XYZ car rental company roadside assistance, my name's Roadside, how can I help you today?
PG: I've been on the side of the road waiting for my new car. First I was told an hour, then I was told another 30 min...it's been 3 hours total and I still don't have a car!
Me: *Checks notes on contract. Someone had called in and it was going to be another 45min* I do apologize sir, but it looks like it will be about another 45 min before they arrive with the new car.
PG: You don't understand, I have to have this car now.
Me: I apologize sir, they're coming as fast as they can.
PG: No, you don't get it. I have to get to a funeral, it's very important.
Me: I'm very sorry sir. If I could get the truck there any faster I would, but that's the time that they gave us.
PG: No, you don't understand. I have the deceased's remains in the car and the honor gaurd is waiting for us.
Me: *Presses my handy-dandy mute button so the customer can't here me* HOOOOLLLLY SHIT. *Presses mute again* I'm sorry sir. I will call the tow and have them call you back to see if they can expidite that in any way.
END OF CALL
I've had people be late to funeral before, weddings, birthdays, graduations, and the like. It happens. Cars break down. But this is the first time I've ever had a guy late for his own funeral. I just hope when I'm on my way to my final resting place, I'm not being hauled around in a rented, blue PT Cruiser.
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