Metro received my car via an insurance claim & the repair was completed within a week after receiving approval. Metro's business hours are 8am-5:30pm Mon-Fri, which created a challenge for me to pick it up as my work shift ends at 5pm Mon-Fri. I don't work on the weekends during the time they are closed. I arranged to pick my car up Friday, 2/13 with Andrew. With the help of a friend, I left work approximately a half earlier on Friday the 13th to allow time for me to arrive to Metro before they closed. I communicated to Andrew when I was in route. We were then delayed by a road closing/detour at 47th & Kedzie and I immediately called Andrew to inform him. However, I didn't speak to Andrew, I spoke to Frank. Frank didn't seem too happy to hear the news & appeared to become frustrated and proceeded to speak to me in a rude manner/tone. He told me it would take another 30 mins to get to the shop and he has a basketball game at 6:15pm & I asked if he could please wait for me. In a loud voice, he said " Fine!...I guess I'll see you whenever you get here!" The traffic was very congested causing us to arrive at 6pm. I called twice as we approached 73rd & Kedzie & I received the voice mail greeting each time. Upon arrival, the shop appeared to be closed. We knocked on the door & rang the bell. No one answered so, we left. I'd planned to drive my car to visit my daughter & granddaughter that weekend but had to postpone my trip. In the meantime, I'd become ill over the weekend. I wasn't sure if Metro was open for business due to President's Day the following Monday so, I called early Monday morning to confirm but, there was no answer. I called about an hour later...received vcml greeting again. I called approximately 10:30a/11:00a and confirmed with a man (not sure if it was Andrew or Frank) that they were open for business. I thought I would have been feeling well enough to operate my car that day but, turned out, I wasn't; My illness had become worse. I attempted the same Tuesday and Wednesday (the 17th & 18th); However, I was unsuccessful. I visited my doctor Wednesday the 18th and was diagnosed with a bronchial virus. Due to extreme cold weather conditions & in my efforts to heal & properly medicate myself, I decided to stay indoors & rest. However, I continued to contact Andrew informing him of my status. The conversation went like this...
Me: "Hi, is this Andrew?"
Unknown man: "No!"
Me: "Is Andrew available?"
Unknown man: (No response)
Me: "Hello"
Unknown man: (Yelling) "Andrew!...Get in here!...This is that retard with the Altima!...You tell her that if she..."
I was totally shocked and surprised at the derogatory word that was stated to Andrew to describe me. I could not believe I'd just heard that. It was all the same as if I'd been called the "N" word. Still in awe, I did all I could to maintain composure.
Andrew: "Hello"
I thanked Andrew for waiting for me possibly as long as he could the previous Friday (the 13th). I further explained what my challenges had been in picking up my vehicle (their business hours and my illness). I told him that I will have to receive my supervisor's approval to leave work early to get to the shop. He also told me they would be willing to release my car to someone I select as another option in retrieving my car. I told him I will give him a call Friday once I spoke with my supervisor. He said ok and we ended the call. Andrew was just as pleasant and professional during that phone call as he has been since our very first conversation. I immediately called back to confirm that Frank was the person who answered my initial call. In which case, Andrew confirmed that it was, in fact, Frank. Out of concern of retaliation & since my car was still in Metro's possession, I decided it was best to refrain until after I gained possession of my vehicle. While I was there, I heard Andrew call Frank "Dad". Frank volunteered to express to me that Andrew is the nice one. I happily smiled & spoke in agreement & grabbed one of Andrew's business cards from the counter. The repair work appeared to look fantastic & I was certainly pleased. I appreciate the patience & courteous service provided to me by Andrew & Bernie (he took the time to remove the ice from my windshield washers today). I also realized & appreciate the fact that I was not charged storage fees. Nevertheless, that does not negate nor compensate for the fact that Frank called me a retard to his son, Andrew, and can certainly benefit from a few courses in Professionalism, Proper Telephone Etiquette, Quality Customer Service, Sensitivity, and Slander (just to name a few) from Andrew and Bernie. Frank, you may want to mute the phone or hang it up before the next time you decide to call someone a retard or any other derogatory name. How about not calling them one PERIOD? Have more respect for yourself & others! Consider this advice a gift as the next person may not be so nice. Best Regards! read more