Sometimes Things Go Right
It all started with a quick errand to the auto dealership to pick up a part for my car. I needed a gear shift knob because mine, for some unknown reason, decided to break off in my wife’s hand while she was driving.
I arrive at the dealership and go to see the guy at the parts counter. He asks me for my name, and then goes to the back to retrieve my gear shift. When he returns, I ask him to open the box so I can make sure the screws are in there. I explain that the originals went missing when the knob broke. We both searched the box, twice. No screws. He checks his computer, then explains to me that the screws have to be ordered separately.
“Are you serious?” I ask, disappointed, to say the least. He apologized, and says to me that he’ll take $5.00 off the part, and then tells me about a place in town where I can probably get the screws without having to order them. Score one for the good guys. Customer service is alive and well at Kia, although it’s a bonehead move not to include the screws with something like a gear shift knob.
Next stop, the fastener place where I go to see if I can find the screws I need. I’m in and out in less than 5 minutes, with the screws I need, plus two extras, and all at no charge. Yes!! The guy behind the counter hands me the little plastic bag containing my much needed screws, smiles, and says, “No charge.”
So, $5 bucks off my part, plus free screws; I’m thinking it’s about time for a catastrophe. And then it happens, my “Check Engine” light comes on. So, I whip into my local auto parts place and ask them to hook up their little gadget and tell me why my light is on. In just a couple of minutes, the nice young lady tells me that my IAT (Intake Air Temp) sensor is “coding”. But, she explains, it could just be a loose connection. She further explains that she can’t get the part, so if I do need it, I’ll have to go to the dealer for it.
About this time, my daughter, who is tagging along on this adventure, asks me if she can have a drink. I tell her to get something from the cooler and I’ll buy it for her. The nice young lady then tells me that she can get something “No charge”.
“What?” I ask, “Are you sure?” She assures me that it’s fine, and that she wanted to treat my little girl. We thank her and leave to drive home.
At home, I quickly get the gear shift knob replaced with my new, discounted knob and free screws; while my daughter sips her free drink and chats with me while she watches. Once that’s done, I pop the hood and start making sure all the electrical connections around my engine are tight, starting where the parts lady tells me the sensor should be.
Guess what. The engine light turned off. Life is good today.
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