Most of my family and friends don't consider me your typical 'manly-man'.
Can't say that I agree with them; but it's unlikely you'd ever hear me arguing the point...mainly because I don't like confrontations. I guess I just consider myself more 'polite' and 'respectful'...while they've been known to use terms like, 'pushover' and 'dim-wit'. Make of that what you will...
But when it comes to automobiles: I can hold my own with the best of 'em.
First off, I've probably seen every episode of Home Improvement. They were constantly working on hot-rods and other cars on that show. Plus, I always paid extra attention during the special segments of Tool Time...so I practically earned an honorary degree from LincolnTech just by watching all those episodes.
Secondly, I've seen every Fast and Furious movie...and I think that speaks for itself.
So when my car started acting up the other day, I just assumed I could handle it myself. Boy was I wrong!!
I keep a toolbox in the car, so I started by grabbing a screwdriver and hammer. Then I popped the hood (gear head lingo for 'opening the front compartment where the engine is located') and began to check things out. Well, let me tell ya: If you haven't done this before, be prepared to see a lot more stuff under there than you realize. There were things spinning, vibrating and making a whole lotta noise. I didn't know where to start! Maybe I should've been taking notes during Tool Time. Tim Taylor would disappointed...
Anyways, even though I didn't know where to start with my car, I did know where to start on Yelp. I quickly did a search for 'Auto Care' and located Firestone. I called and they said I could bring my car right over and that they'd be glad to take a look.
That earned them star #1.
When I arrived, I parked and walked up to the counter. Before I could even introduce myself the guy said, "Looks like you got yourself a flat tire there." I was blown away! This guy wasn't even a mechanic (I don't think so, anyways) and was already diagnosing the problem. So I gave him some basic info (both on me and my car), then he said they'd take a look. I handed over my keys and he informed me that I could have a seat, watch some TV, read a magazine and even help myself to a cup of coffee! In all my amazement that he'd identified my car's problem from behind the desk, I hadn't even noticed the incredible waiting area in the lobby!!!! They really have a TV, lots of magazines and coffee!!! What he failed to mention was that the coffee was specialty. Not exactly sure of the make (because it wasn't Keurig) but it was a machine that makes those individual cups of coffee from packets. There were a few different choices but I went with 'French Vanilla'. Oooh, la, la!
Anyways, this earned them the second star.
After about ten minutes or so, I was called back over to the counter. They told me that they were almost finished with my tire (they were replacing it...said it was beyond salvaging with a patch job) and wanted to know if they wanted me to do a basic check on my vehicle. I said, 'Sure'.
Then I sat back down to drink the rest of my coffee and watch a little more TV. It was tuned to one of those cable news channels, so it didn't keep my attention for very long, and I wound up drifting off into deep thoughts about how 'ironic' it would've been if they were airing a re-run of Home Improvement while I was there.
Anyways, after they had finished, I was called back over and given a full report on the work they had done. They replaced my tire and said that otherwise, my car was in 'fantastic shape'. They did say they topped off my windshield wiper fluid (free of charge) because I'll need it with this harsh winter weather. So I paid my balance and then asked the cashier if I could say 'thank you' to the mechanic. I winked at him when I said the words, 'thank you', and he said, "Sure, I guess. I'll go call him over."
So he called him over and I slipped the mechanic five GW's (George Washington's for anyone not on the DL). (DL is for down-low for anyone not on the down-low). After that, I felt like a 'manly-man', so I grabbed my keys and headed out the door. All of that earned them stars number three and four.
So you might be wondering how they got that 5th and final star from me, huh?
Well, before I could make it out of the parking lot, I saw the cashier waving at me and then motioning for me to hold on a second. Apparently, while I was too busy trying to be something I'm not (a 'manly-man'), I'd left my cellular phone on the coffee table near the TV. So he had spotted it, grabbed it quickly and ran it outside before I left the parking lot. Talk about phoning a friend!!! So I thanked him and told him I was grateful for all their help and would be back again soon.
And that's how you earn FIVE stars! read more