Re: Higgenbotham's Dark Age Hovel
Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:13 pm
A few years ago I used to post the Gen X Debacle of the Day. We've moved beyond that at this point as we confront the boundary of the new dark age. I've since changed it to Dark Age Chronicles.
So today my wife asked me to call the car dealer to see about our next free oil change. When we bought the car, they offered free oil changes for the first 36,000 miles. Her question was whether we need to make an appointment or can go back to just bringing the car in when it's convenient. Initially, we were able to just bring the car in. Then later we had to start making an appointment.
So first the woman tried to locate our account. I gave her my wife's phone number but she couldn't find it. Then I gave her my phone number and she found something but no car attached to it. I said, well, I have a 23 year old Toyota that may be why you have an account for me. I came in a couple times to get parts.
She asked if I still have the car. I said yes, I have a 3 year old kid and a 23 year old car. She got a good laugh out of that. I said next time I have to do one of those graduating class updates I think I'll start it with that.
Anyway, I gave her my wife's phone number again and she found the account. Next, she told me they have no appointments for oil changes until late January because they have a shortage of mechanics. I told her I had understood that going past 8,000 miles on an oil change would void the warranty. She confirmed that was right. So then we had a discussion about what needs to be done if it looks like we will go over 8,000 miles before the first available appointment.
And on it went, you get the idea. Probably about an hour of three people's time (20 minutes each) was wasted just talking about an oil change.
Finally, I said to my wife, "All this for an oil change?" You know, I just go out and change the oil on my Toyota and it's relaxing. Takes about 20 minutes.
So today my wife asked me to call the car dealer to see about our next free oil change. When we bought the car, they offered free oil changes for the first 36,000 miles. Her question was whether we need to make an appointment or can go back to just bringing the car in when it's convenient. Initially, we were able to just bring the car in. Then later we had to start making an appointment.
So first the woman tried to locate our account. I gave her my wife's phone number but she couldn't find it. Then I gave her my phone number and she found something but no car attached to it. I said, well, I have a 23 year old Toyota that may be why you have an account for me. I came in a couple times to get parts.
She asked if I still have the car. I said yes, I have a 3 year old kid and a 23 year old car. She got a good laugh out of that. I said next time I have to do one of those graduating class updates I think I'll start it with that.
Anyway, I gave her my wife's phone number again and she found the account. Next, she told me they have no appointments for oil changes until late January because they have a shortage of mechanics. I told her I had understood that going past 8,000 miles on an oil change would void the warranty. She confirmed that was right. So then we had a discussion about what needs to be done if it looks like we will go over 8,000 miles before the first available appointment.
And on it went, you get the idea. Probably about an hour of three people's time (20 minutes each) was wasted just talking about an oil change.
Finally, I said to my wife, "All this for an oil change?" You know, I just go out and change the oil on my Toyota and it's relaxing. Takes about 20 minutes.