Talk about serendipity, this shop is the epitome of it!
So, on my way home, one-thousand-four-hundred miles away, I take a quick detour through what Google said was the shortest route. Onto the 14 Freeway it is! Nevermind the recent news feeds of troubling speed traps, I continue. Re-routing me to exit, I listen to my handy smartphone. Soon, my once dependable car began to shake....an odd, troubling shake, it sputters and dies!
At this point, I begin to panic, anxiously looking through my contact's list for maybe some sort of random encounter with someone from California. I know the basics of a car, like when or how to do the oil changes, tire rotations, serpentine belt and fluid inspections, but I never counted on my car literally dying on me half across the country.
Googling, I found this company and needless to mention, I was impressed. The technician was polite and courteous, asking me where I was stranded, as well as making sure I was okay. He showed up, lightning fast with a bottle of water and a sugar candy. What? Why? How? A sugar candy?
"To elevate my sugar levels in case I was in shock."
Nice. That's not even the best part.
Car would not start and he gave me a diagnostic right there, including the tow fee. I felt completely in control by this time and my decision making was on point. I was worried about paying for a tow and diagnostic, without a knowing my repair fees. Money is tight for everyone and a full time grad student is no exception.
Once at the shop, my car was taken in, immediately. The shop, well, it's a little hole in the wall, no doubt yet again, the town in general is. The office seemed busy and definitely family operated. Everyone greeted me with a smile and made sure I was okay if I needed anything. Once the main technician came back (which I also think is the owner), he asked me to sit down. It was going to be hard news.
I'm sweating bullets. What could possibly go wrong now...He brings me a little plastic box with copper points on the end. I'm clueless up until he literally draws me a diagram as to what that little relay did in the electrical system and how THAT system was a part of my fuel system, ect, ect. He was so knowledgeable that I feel like an expert now.
Best part? He didn't even charge me for the diagnostic and we went halfies on the Tow truck's fee. They topped all my fluids, filled my tires with air, rotated them and made sure I was safe to travel back home.
P.S, I'm back home. read more