Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Mary

Yesterday I left my car at Local Automotive for an oil change. Toward late afternoon I asked Mary to call and see if it was ready.

It wasn't. They'd had a busy day, with 2 guys out sick, and since my car wasn't urgent they put it at the bottom of the list and didn't get to it. To me this wasn't a big deal. It happens here, too.

But Mary decided to take a stand on my behalf, and told the guy that since this happened I shouldn't have to pay for the oil change. He agreed, and told her that if I bring it in again today they won't charge me for it.

Mary was so proud of herself. I didn't have the heart to tell her I bought the lifetime oil change for the car 12 years ago, and haven't paid for one since.
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12 comments:

  1. OMDGMarch 28, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Aw! Yeah, don't tell her. I'm sure she has fantastic negotiating skills anyway.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 9:04 AM

    yeah, don't tell her, i'm sure she reads this blog everyday ;-)

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  3. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    So if your office gets backed up and you have to see a patient the next day instead, does Mary not charge them?

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  4. Grumpy, M.D.March 28, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    No, but I wouldn't have expected (or asked) the place to waive my charges if that had happened. That was Mary's idea.

    I don't ask for freebies. Everyone has to make a living, and I respect that.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 9:57 AM

    I choose to believe that the guy who answered Mary's call had no idea you had the lifetime package. So she got the concession, even if the $ part was a wash.

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  6. JonoMarch 28, 2012 at 10:16 AM

    Can I buy a lifetime neurological care contract? Your lifetime or mine? :)

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  7. PackerMarch 28, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    Car is 12 years old, they lost money on that deal.

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  8. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 7:31 PM

    Maybe the guy knew it was free and just said it to humor her?

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  9. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    Mary gets an AAA+ for effort, in any case.

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  10. LauraMarch 28, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    Well, for a car place, giving someone a free oil change isn't a huge deal. Especially if it's the difference between them coming to you or going somewhere else for a big thing.

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  11. skidmarkMarch 29, 2012 at 6:59 AM

    Anonymous @ March 28, 2012 6:31 PM said...
    Maybe the guy knew it was free and just said it to humor her?

    It wasn't free. Grumpy paid for it up front.

    Perhaps you ought to call and make an appointment?

    stay safe.

    PS - yeah, I'm feeling a bit grumpy myself this AM - but I've been checking up on what them congresscritters in DC have been up to. Who wouldn't be grumpy?

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 29, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    how did Mary react after she read this post?

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So wadda you think?