Brainless Bizzitch Bettye parked her car on the street which was halfway considerate as the parking lot was busy but not totally packed..
She's arrived near closing, 2 days before July 4 holiday, meaning everyone and their mother is getting cars fixed this week. We've been shorthanded a guy and swamped all day, booked up in fact before 10am, plus dealing with drop-ins who seem to have begun drinking already and can't get a hint or direct statement that we're REAL BUSY and don't have time for B.S.
Bettye has called at least three times about this carry-out item worth under $25 retail. Now, at closing time, seeing how busy it is including me literally running from car to car in the parking lot and still cars in the bays needing MY attention, she wants me to go out to the car with her to make sure she can install her purchase herself without problems. Which brings us to the fact that the car is on the street, meaning I have to walk with her on my sore heel, diagonally the long way across my lot and down a few spaces.
Then I have to kneel with her on someone else's lawn, reeking of too much 2,4-D weedkiller, listening to this lady blather on about the part and how she thinks someone stole the last one, and how she had to buy the one she has but doesn't like, and how AutoZone told her that they didn't make the thing (you're holding one now Lady, move on in life already!!) and how she appreciates me helping her because one time she had a hard time doing this, and she doesn't want to have a problem, all while she fumbles with, drops, dicks with, tries to remove, fumbles with, and finally puts back her damn $25 part.
Finally, she stands, I stand, and she tells me in a voice freighted with condescention, "Thanks. Sorry for wasting your time, Automan." Rather than sock her, I literally RAN back to over $2000 worth of almost-finished vehicles that each needed just a little of my attention each as the customers were waiting/about to arrive and my mechanic staff had gone home for the day at their regular time. Thankfully, most of my clients are thoughtful of my time and realize they want me fixing cars, not chatting about trivia. There are always those few who exemplify the old adage that "Some people see a Doctor when what they want is an audience." My manager says, "They spend money with you, Automan, so they expect you to bleed a little." This one made my ears, and brain, bleed!
So what was the part Bettye needed help with? Was it a fuel injection computer? A mass airflow sensor? A left-drive muffler bearing requiring special tools and expertise? A five-piece old style hubcap that is admittedly more difficult to install than you would think?
No. Bettye bought herself a locking gas cap from me today!
She's arrived near closing, 2 days before July 4 holiday, meaning everyone and their mother is getting cars fixed this week. We've been shorthanded a guy and swamped all day, booked up in fact before 10am, plus dealing with drop-ins who seem to have begun drinking already and can't get a hint or direct statement that we're REAL BUSY and don't have time for B.S.
Bettye has called at least three times about this carry-out item worth under $25 retail. Now, at closing time, seeing how busy it is including me literally running from car to car in the parking lot and still cars in the bays needing MY attention, she wants me to go out to the car with her to make sure she can install her purchase herself without problems. Which brings us to the fact that the car is on the street, meaning I have to walk with her on my sore heel, diagonally the long way across my lot and down a few spaces.
Then I have to kneel with her on someone else's lawn, reeking of too much 2,4-D weedkiller, listening to this lady blather on about the part and how she thinks someone stole the last one, and how she had to buy the one she has but doesn't like, and how AutoZone told her that they didn't make the thing (you're holding one now Lady, move on in life already!!) and how she appreciates me helping her because one time she had a hard time doing this, and she doesn't want to have a problem, all while she fumbles with, drops, dicks with, tries to remove, fumbles with, and finally puts back her damn $25 part.
Finally, she stands, I stand, and she tells me in a voice freighted with condescention, "Thanks. Sorry for wasting your time, Automan." Rather than sock her, I literally RAN back to over $2000 worth of almost-finished vehicles that each needed just a little of my attention each as the customers were waiting/about to arrive and my mechanic staff had gone home for the day at their regular time. Thankfully, most of my clients are thoughtful of my time and realize they want me fixing cars, not chatting about trivia. There are always those few who exemplify the old adage that "Some people see a Doctor when what they want is an audience." My manager says, "They spend money with you, Automan, so they expect you to bleed a little." This one made my ears, and brain, bleed!
So what was the part Bettye needed help with? Was it a fuel injection computer? A mass airflow sensor? A left-drive muffler bearing requiring special tools and expertise? A five-piece old style hubcap that is admittedly more difficult to install than you would think?
No. Bettye bought herself a locking gas cap from me today!

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