Change ... as in oil

Errands to run and an oil change.  That was the agenda for my only day off this week. Even though the sun was high ... and more than a little warm ... I set out with the top down!  Driving the top down always makes me happy.

Got the first couple of things checked off my list and headed to the automotive center to get that oil change.

Pulled in and the older woman at the counter was friendly ... and flustered.  Seems it had been a busy day and one of the registers was without a cash drawer.  So she could only check people in ... not out.

She asked which oil change I was interested in today.  The basic one just offered the oil and oil filter.  Nothing more or less.  The standard oil change had those things plus checks on a variety of things ... and a vacuum.  It was $10 more.

I ride around with the top down as often as possible, so my front floorboards are always in need of a vacuum.  I opted for the second choice.

I had noticed the rain this past week that I was desperately in need of new wiper blades.  Since that was one of the things that would be checked, I told her go ahead and have them put those on.

I wandered into the big box store to do a little shopping while I waited.  She had said it would be about 20 minutes. First I went and gathered up a couple of things I knew I needed and the pulled a fun impulse buy off of the sale rack.

Nothing like a good bargain!

After I made my purchases I was heading back to wait in the automotive area when my name was called over the intercom stating that my car was ready.  Perfect timing!

When I reached the counter, the younger woman cashier was checking out a man who didn't speak very good English.  He had a friend with him who kept interrupting the transaction to ask if he could purchase the large pile of non-automotive items at that register.

Patiently, the cashier would ask if the items were a part of the man's transaction who had received automotive services.  The man said, "No."  She would begin again to explain to her customer about his automotive service and the 2nd man would interrupt again asking if he was going to be able to make his purchase at that register.

There were 4 or 5 of us in line waiting to conduct our automotive business. Finally the man who didn't speak very good English indicated that he would pay for his friend's items so that the transaction could be completed.

In the meantime, the older woman who had the register with no cash drawer attempted to assist those of us in line. She was very frustrated that she was not allowed to handle the transactions for those paying with a card ... since no cash was involved.  Still, she remained outwardly cheerful.

It was obvious that the day continued to be challenging for the helpful cashiers in the automotive department.

Finally it was my turn.  The cashier told me that I had been a quart low when I brought my car in and that the mechanic was recommending a new air filter soon.  Then she said, "Oh, they didn't vacuum because there were items on the floor behind the driver's seat."

Big sigh.  I wondered aloud why they had not vacuumed the front floorboards since it was obvious the were in need of cleaning and had no items of any kind on them. She smiled and asked if I would like to have the car pulled back in for them to do it.

I shrugged and said that it was ok but that the vacuum was the main reason I had chose to go with the upgraded oil change.

"Wait! Don't insert your card yet," she said cheerfully.  "My manager is here and I bet he will let me give you a $10 discount so that you only pay for the basic oil change."

About that time the manager appeared, as if on cue, from a back room.  She explained to him that my car had not been vacuumed and asked if she could charge me for the basic oil change instead.  He was fine with that. 

The line behind me had continued to grow.  The automotive counter staff never lost their cool even though everyone was having to be funneled to the one register.

The cashier did some things on her screen and waited for the manager to return to type in his code.  He walked over.  She reminded him that it was a $10 discount that she was wanting to give to me.  He was perspiring and looked a little harried.  He smiled at me quickly and tapped on the screen.  She looked at the screen and back at him incredulously.

"No," she said. "That's not right." 

With another quick smile my way, he said, "That's what I want to do" as he walked away.

Slowly she turned the screen towards me and said, "That's your total for today's service."  

$0.00

I was stunned.  The original total was $54 and some change.

I told her that was not what I was expecting.  I hadn't even complained. Not really.

Much like the manager, she tossed me a quick smile and said, "Well that's what he wanted to do for you ... and he did."

She handed me my keys and sent me on my way.

It was a very good day.

(C) Lifelessons-mj.blogspot.com  June 2018