Finding “good” where you least expect it
September 7, 2007 | by brett | Permalink
Going to the mechanic is like going to the dentist. Or paying taxes. It’s just something you don’t want to do, but have to.
So yesterday when our serpentine belt snapped and we had to make an emergency pit stop at Mark’s Service Center in a small town called Central Square, NY, I was dreading it. Especially when we had to sleep in the parking lot so we could be the first customer in the shop…with outside hopes of being the first one out.
At 8am the RV was moved from parking spot to parking garage. A mechanic looked at the engine, made a judgment, and called in for a part. The diagnosis was that we would be there for awhile. A long while.
I called to cancel the lunch I had planned with an entrepreneur named Sean, and then cancelled the campus event at Syracuse University. The day was blocked off to getting this problem resolved.
What transpired during the remainder of the day was a true bonding between mechanics and PTP. We hung out with these guys, remembered their names, even made their weekly college football picks. They barbequed and fed us delicious pork chops and mechanic salad. They opened up their break room allowed us to use it as our home office. Not once did we ask when the RV was going to be ready to hit the road.
Come 4:30pm it was time to write a check for the damage. We had quite a day. We made a radio appearance that a few customers had heard in the early morning, where we gave shots out to Mark’s Service Center and asked the radio audience where the nearest shower was. We interviewed the owner of Mark’s in front of a Post-Standard reporter, and had our pictures taken for tomorrow’s Syracuse newspaper. But the moment had come that I feared most.
It was time to get a tooth pulled. It was time to write the check to the IRS. It was time to pay.
But something happened during the day. We had a good time. We carried a positive attitude. And we had given Mark’s Service Center a feeling of importance with media appearances. It was a special experience.
The bill was astronomical. But it could have worse. Mark, the owner, who had taken us in like his own employees, had given us a discount. A significant discount. He had charged us $10 in labor, and fair value for the parts.
There is still good in this world, even at the auto repair shop.
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THERE ARE 6 RESPONSES TO THIS INTERVIEW
Steve Says:
September 7th, 2007
You know what? You get what you give in life. You were nice to these guys. You made them feel important. You were sincerely part of their lives. They weren’t “mechanics” fixing your RV. They were human beings, performing their craft well, making ends meet, and then these really cool guys come along and spend a day - a genuine day - WITH them. It’s a lesson for more than just the PTP gang. Everyone I come into contact with today I have the same opportunity of bonding. I think the big key is that you slowed down, cancelled a few things, and just enjoyed life in the moment.
brett Says:
September 7th, 2007
Definitely.
Danielle Says:
September 7th, 2007
A week after my baby (aka my 2004 Corolla) came out of the shop (located across the street from where my dad works) the back window was smashed and someone stole my wallet. After calling the requisite bank and credit card people, the police, etc. I called Scott, the owner of Statewide Collision (in Nashua, NH).
Me: “Hey Scott, it’s Danielle.. Bob O’s daughter. Wanna hear a funny story?”
Him: “Does it involve farm animals?”
Me: “No, that might actually be funny. But someone broke my window on my car.. you know on the door you JUST REPLACED?”
Him: “Are you in Nashua? … No? Okay, just bring it in as soon as you’re here. We’ll take care of it and tape it up overnight in case it rains.”
True to his word, Scott took care of me, assessed the window, and only charged me for the glass replacement — not the $42/hr labor charge normally.
Treating people with respect and remembering that “a stranger’s just a friend you haven’t met,” goes a long way toward making the world a better place.
Kelly G Says:
September 7th, 2007
It is often those unexpected bumps in the road that give us a chance to see the kindness in the world. I had no doubt when I sensed the stress you guys were feeling yesterday morning about the RV that it was somehow going to work out way better than imaginable!
P.S. Can’t say I’ve ever had mechanic salad before!
Eric Says:
September 7th, 2007
Yesterday, I commented on whether these guys had passion. Looks like they like their jobs. I bet this experience was better than Syracuse was going to be. Things happen for a reason.
Great post.
Taneika Says:
September 7th, 2007
Everyone has already said what i think! But that was soooooo sweet of them to do that for you guys!! Stay postive always!
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