My car battery died. I’ve been going get a little auto service on my car for several weeks now but just put it off. My battery fooled me because the lights would turn on and the windows would roll up but… if the car door was open too long… or the car wasn’t driven for a day… the battery would just not turn over the engine when started. So, after having kind folks jump my car battery several times, I got the clue that a new one was needed… and fast.
I made my last purchase only 3 years ago and knew the battery was still under warranty. I drove up to my local Auto Zone where the purchase had been made and experienced a lesson in “bad service vs good service.”
It was about 4:55 p.m. when I approached the counter and explained my circumstances. They looked up my information and sure enough the battery was still under some type of warranty and I wouldn’t have to pay full price. “Great… put it in,” I said.
The young employee said, “You can buy the battery but you’ll have to take it somewhere else to have it installed because I get off here in about two minutes.”
Turning to another employee, he said, “John, do you want to put in this lady’s car battery?” “Nope, I’m off at five,” came the reply.
Standing there speechless, I thought, “You have got to be kidding.” “Punks!”
Now you have to understand… this place doesn’t close until 9:00 p.m. and, the purchase of a battery includes installation. The night crew had not arrived yet.
There was a older gentleman standing behind the counter who did not appear to be an employee. He rolled his eyes, smiled and said, I’ll put her battery in… it will only take 10 minutes.” Now mind you… this guy didn’t even work there. He was there buying parts for his business which just happened to be, a mobile auto service.
By the time I finished my financial transaction… which took about 10 min because of the warranty thing… the fellow had my battery installed. Several new customers came in and guess what they wanted? Yep! Car batteries. The nice gentleman looked at me and said… “It looks as if I’m going to be busy.”
l ask the gentleman what was owed him… and of course, he said, “Nothing.” When I insisted, he said that $15.00 would be fine. I wrote out a $25.00 check and thanked him for his kindness. He gave me his card…and J Ryan Jones will be getting a call from me the next time I need auto service. Auto Zone won’t be seeing me again. Besides…Pep Boys is just across the street.
What these two young men don’t get is… the power of going the extra mile. Those who do a job just to get by will never experience the success of those who not only do a job well but give it a little extra. Eventually, what goes around comes around…. it’s a natural law.
Till Later,
Kathy Griffiths
Insightful Nana
P.S. By the way, my car battery only cost me $11.50. Even with the extra $25.00… that I was most willing to pay… the battery turned out to be about a $38.00 purchase. Pretty good considering batteries run around $80.00.