The personal touch provided by Ken, the business owner and sole employee of All Morris Auto left a…read morelasting impression with me. After being blown off by some bigger area mechanics; who told me it could be a couple of weeks to get in to have my flat tire inspected, repaired; or possibly replaced. It seemed because of Black Friday and the expected Thanksgiving & implied other upcoming Holiday travel; all the local 'jingle stuck in my head' mechanics were swamped with well meaning, winter wary travelers reserved in advance to avoid a call to AAA whence to Grandmother's house they go. Of mention as well were the deal conscious penny pinching epitome of a holiday gift-giving-pro last minute regret-less, thrift shoppers wanting to be sure they could flee the scene, to evade capture for all the others of their ilk who they were surely to trample savagely to save 5% on Junior's stocking stuffers and other petroleum based sundries. Like Mike Brady said, "A gift is only a good thing if the giver has given thought to that gift; but if the gift the giver gives; gives the givee grief, than that gift should give the giver regrets." The amount of planning shows thought a-plenty!
I nearly gave up plans for my only weekend off for a while to come. Then, as if Santa and the Easter bunny both answered my imaginary missive letter at once, and it had been notarized by the Tooth Fairy who called on Mister Mcfeely, who dashed back riding speedy in Captain Kangaroo's pouch my last minute web search brought me to Yelp - page four of that list of local mechanics dropped a diamond amid the rough of corporate cookie-cutter could care less profiteer mongers. All Morris sparked a hope that my plans would bear fruit from the seed planted in my imagination. It was within comfortable driving range on a donut-spare, and I could get there staying off the main roads and it was just a hop skip, and a licorice-whip n' a half off Fish Hatchery Road. I swift punch at the call option; a ring 'n a half later a Gentleman politely greeted me, asked how he could help! What? Not having to wait fifteen rings, to be notified I am to hold -- five minutes, nor curt answering machine "greetings" that revealed they were helping another "customer" and please try my call again later? If you have read this far, you probably gather I am anything but customary. I have been called some C-words before and at least by those who I have called loved ones, or acquaintances.
I don't feel like a customer, I feel like a person -- who had an untimely emergency as we all do from time to time. As I found out in Ken's shop, I had run over a screw, which seemingly appeared to cause my own emergency. Within the hour of my call, Ken's welcoming demeanor, and the open atmosphere of his shop as he let me see him perform his craft gave an air of trustworthiness there; which could be ascertained in the whole 10 minutes it took to patch my tire and send me for the quiet country cruise I had planned for myself. It was a sigh of relief to deal with All Morris Auto. It was almost therapeutic, and I have already decided I will have Ken do my brakes before the month is out instead of going to my regular guy in Mount Horeb, which is out of my way.
The only downside I see to the plan is Ken does not charge enough for the quality of service he provides, I was expecting to be spending more because I know I am worth it; and my much needed, few and far between -- leisure time; is worth it. By the looks of All Morris' business hours, Ken works near 12 hour days, so I am sure he can appreciate the time of others more than places who can't let you see them work on your vehicle because of the potential you would have to hear the foul mouths of the Keebler elves they keep behind closed doors, who are there away from the customer's. Metaphorically, of course. There is nothing wrong with those waiting room coffee, read a hundred times paper, revolving door places, they help people too.
All Morris Auto helped me today; in lieu of all the monetary compensation I thought they deserve I decided to split the difference by taking the extra few minutes to put effort into leaving them a thoughtful review. Being the change you want to see in the world can often be a hard path. My seeming emergency brought me into the knowing of another; who treats people kindly and puts forth the extra effort to excel at their craft to help others; even when there are not fantasy magical myth nice naughty list making marketing hype holidays to rush planning while missing those in need of kind words, good deeds, in the present moment. The change I am, is to be present to listen, be compassionate, and help others with my craft, being kind of heart every day of the year. 365 days spreading cheer, and being loving, kind, and good willed. On my busiest day I will at least find another in my field who can help you, if I am unable.
I Highly recommend this business. So far it seems to be a well kept secret.
