Car Talk
A while back I decided to start taking my car to a dealership for it’s oil change. It happened after I needed the said dealership to fix a more serious issue with the car. I did this even though I knew dealerships liked to up-sell. Get you in, ID a potential problem, and then suggest it needs fixing. Still, I thought the manufacturer of the car might really know what they were talking about, and I could stay ahead of potential problems. The first oil change was a long, arduous affair, but my service advisor helped me navigate the system. Yesterday I tried again.
I arrived shortly before my allotted time. I sat in line, waiting. Employees walked by. No one acknowledged me. I waited; my patience started fraying. Finally, the cars in front of me pulled away. I drove up and pulled forward. A young man asked me what I needed. I said I was there for my scheduled oil change. I had an appointment. He asked me if I had a preferred service advisor. I told him I did. He told me the gentlemen was no longer there. He went off to get one. I waited some more. My patience continued fraying. Two gentlemen passed by. One told the other I was waiting for a service advisor. I remarked that this was a lot of time and effort and waiting to get an oil change. He said they were awfully busy. I lightened their burden and drove away.
I went back to my old oil change place in another town. It was a nice quiet drive. I pulled in line. The greeter came out. Got me scheduled. I drove in. Waited a bit. Pulled up again. Got my oil changed. Got a coupon for a free car wash. Drove off and went grocery shopping. I did all this and thought I remained remarkably under control. Emotions bubbled. But not over. It was like I had a wooden spoon on the pot. I left an unpleasant relationship for one that was more caring and predictable without a single harsh word. Yeah, me.