Wednesday, April 18, 2012

I'm Poor, but I Swoon

On Monday morning the Chief Mechanic/Owner of the Service Station called me with several options regarding my car repair. The options ranged from Expensive to Super Duper Expensive. After going through the options I said I would think about it. I called me dad who went into Caring Dad Mode. It's been so long since he has cared for me in an active way. Dad had questions and ended up calling the Chief Mechanic himself. I loved having my dad in Caring Dad Mode.

After all that conversation, I made my decision.

Then I thought how I would date any of the three mechanics there because they are so gentlemanly. I don't even know if any of them are married or Catholic. They are nice, nice looking, seem to be in my preferred age group and male.

They fixed my car. I went to pick it up yesterday and made a payment that probably will put someone's kid through college or pay the mortgage for a few months. I also picked up a candy bar because I needed chocolate when making such a big payment. The cashier gave me the candy bar for free because she said I spent enough money that day.

I was SO HAPPY to get a free candy bar! Really, it's the little acts of kindness that get to me. Never mind that I spent MY rent money on the car, I got a free candy bar. It's the power of chocolate.

Then when I got in my car, something was different. Eerie. Different. I questioned whether it was my car. Strange. Odd. Oh my Gosh! They totally cleaned the inside of my car and vacuumed it too. I fell in love with whoever used the Dust Buster. When was my old car that clean? Probably when I bought it many years ago. I was thrilled. I was embarrassed because the inside of my car was like the bottom of my purse (very messy). I was thrilled. I was embarrassed.

The car drives like a dream, and it's SO QUIET.

When I came home from work there was a phone message from Chief Mechanic/Owner. He thanked me for my business and said to bring it back in a few weeks, so he can check the fluids and make sure the repairs are holding up.

This is the second time he's called me later for a follow-up report. Is that normal mechanic behavior?

8 comments:

Becky said...

Well, I know my mechanic never called me to thank me for my business or want a check up! Who knows? Bring it back in a few weeks and see what happens!

Little JoAnn said...

One thing I always say is, I don't mind spending top dollar on a trade if the tradesman/woman really does a good job!

And, to me, it sounds like they did this...which, is good. Very good.

Overtime, hopefully, this can all be looked at as 100 dollars a month for a year? that kept your car chugging along rather than an expensive car payment of 3 or 4 hundred dollars a month for 4 or 5 years!

I love your Dad jumping in too!

Can't wait to read more of your blog.

And, I am sorry that you had to go for all this money to fix your car, but it sounds like they really did fix it!

So, I am glad for that! For sure.

Little JoAnn said...

One thing I always say is, I don't mind spending top dollar on a trade if the tradesman/woman really does a good job!

And, to me, it sounds like they did this...which, is good. Very good.

Overtime, hopefully, this can all be looked at as 100 dollars a month for a year? that kept your car chugging along rather than an expensive car payment of 3 or 4 hundred dollars a month for 4 or 5 years!

I love your Dad jumping in too!

Can't wait to read more of your blog.

And, I am sorry that you had to go for all this money to fix your car, but it sounds like they really did fix it!

So, I am glad for that! For sure.

Lena said...

I like your view of spreading out the repair payments in mind.

All in His Perfect Timing said...

I hate the super duper expensive car repairs when they happen, but it sounds like you have a grade-A mechanic ... I've never had one call me and ask how things were going ... So I'd sure be curious how it all turns out!
And YAY for free chocolate!!!

Karen said...

The free candy bar would have made me very happy as well! And that's interesting about the mechanic...you never know! Might as well go back...just to keep your car running smoothly. :-)

Rebecca Frech said...

I've never had a mechanic behave that way. You never know.....this could be interesting. :)

Monica said...

Offer to thank him when you go back by making dinner. :-)