I did not buy a car from Peachtree Auto Sales, but I can speak to the character of its owner…read more
Two weeks ago, I had the cable leading from my alternator to my battery snap off due to wear and tear. I spent around three hours pushing my car along the side of I-85, and jumping in to pop start it, just to get it running for just a little bit longer, and for a few more miles. About two hours before I was scheduled to shoot maternity photos for a client, my car finally gave out on the ramp at exit 61.
I coasted the car off the exit and into the parking lot of Jim's business. After spending some time looking around the engine bay to try and find the source of the problem, and finally identifying it; I went into Jim's business to ask whoever was there, where the nearest auto parts store was. I had planned to walk to the nearest parts store to buy some additional wire if I could find it. But when I stepped inside, it was Jim, the owner, who was friendly, sitting at the front desk, and more than ready to help.
Not only did Jim give me directions, but he came out to access the situation. Then without being asked, Jim then locked up his business, told me sit tight, and left his business on his own time, in his own car, to go pick up tools to help me fix my car so I could get home.
Not long after, Jim returned with a few sockets, pliers, and an adjustable wrench, which allowed me to disconnect the battery, and remove the damaged connector that had failed on my cars alternator. I then used the tools he provided, to strip the cover off the wire, and wrap the bare wire around the alternator post, and secured it with what was left of the damaged connection hardware. Jim then unlocked his business and let me wash my hands, and get cleaned up before getting behind my car himself and pushing it, to allow me to pop start it one last time for the drive home. After it started and ran normally, I promptly parked the car and left it running to shake the hand, and possibly hug the generous man who went out of his way to help me get home.
Jim is the kind of person who is willing to drop what he's doing, and go out of his way to help a stranded stranger get home. He's the kind of guy who will actually risk losing an hour of productivity to give help to someone who needs it. And because of Jim, the three hours I spent pushing and pop starting my car on the side of the interstate weren't wasted.
When my car broke down in Jim's parking lot I didn't know if I was going to get home, much less make it work two hours later. But Jim left his business for a short time to ensure that I had the tools I needed to improvise a repair on my car in his parking lot and get home.
The term "selfless" is often thrown around without regard for its actual meaning. On the day my car broke down in his parking lot, Jim not only exemplified selflessness, but compassion, empathy, and self-sacrifice as well. He not only cared, but he offered help, after I had been passed for hours by literally hundreds of drivers on the interstate while pushing my car.
I've written a number of reviews on this website, but I've never been particularly compelled to write one based simply on the kindness of another human being. Thanks to Jim, I can now claim that I have. Jim was willing to go to such lengths to help a complete stranger from whom he stood to gain nothing, that I can only imagine that buying a car from the man is an even more sincere and pleasurable experience.
Jim, should you happen to read this, thank you again.
-Rob (owner of the limping red Miata)
