Brother Bob’s
Newsletter
1st Quarter,
2015
I’ve worked
on my share of cars, performing some fairly difficult procedures in the
process, mostly out of necessity. When the repair costs exceed your bank
balance, you have to do something. However, I do not, even in the farthest
reaches of imagination, consider myself a mechanic. With me, it’s take off the
old part and put on a new one. If that doesn’t work, I’m lost.
It’s
different with the BMW. I’m not sure why. I’ve owned cars produced outside the
United States before, and I have worked on them. Not the case with the Bimmer.
I’ve had the car for nearly a year now and I’ve only raised the hood a couple
of times, even then approaching the intrusion with a mixture of trepidation and
respect, a bit like visiting an antique shop where you fall into a state, which
closely resembles reverence, speaking softly and keeping your hands to
yourself.
My Bavarian
fugue has not come without cost. Upon bringing the 328i home, and realizing my
lack of knowledge, I immediately began an internet search for an independent
BMW automotive specialist. I intentionally avoided the dealerships. It’s what
I’ve always done with other cars.
Of course, I
quickly found what I thought I was looking for. Answering the phone with, Hello, uh, yeah this is blank and blank
auto, the guy convinced me to bring the car to his shop, an out-of-the-way,
backstreet building with a garage in the back. Finding the place locked and
having to bang on the door to get the guy’s attention should have given me a
clue, and to be honest it had, but in my eagerness for things to work out like
they should, I pushed the warning aside. I even let the big, grumpy, bearded
proprietor’s gruff attitude slide. What kind of BMW mechanic insults his
customers for owning the kind of car he repairs? Well, after researching the
subject on the internet, apparently a lot of them. Taking it all in stride, I
kept the mechanic on board for a few months, going along with his recommended
repairs. And then it happened. During my last visit, which was right before the
Thanksgiving holiday, the guy changed the oil and in addition ordered some
parts for the car, which he charged me for with instructions to bring the car
back in a few days for installation.
Well you’ve
probably guessed where I’m going with this. After the allotted time had
expired, I called the shop but received no answer. I repeated the process for
about a week, leaving messages that were never returned. Finally, I drove to
the location but found the building locked up. This time no one answered my
door banging.
Not all was
lost. I disputed the charges for the parts, and the credit card company
refunded me. However, it was then that I began to wonder what exactly had been
done for the car. If the mechanic had been dishonest about the parts, what else
had he done, or not done?
I began to
search for another shop. Having jumped the gun on my previous attempt at
procuring affordable but effective European auto care, I increased my efforts
and widened the scope of the search. I do sometimes learn from my mistakes. I
even sought online referrals and perused available comments associated with the
shops. A few days later, after narrowing my list of prospective automotive
gurus down to three, I sent emails, inquiring about the cost of possible
service. Two of the prospects proved to exceed what I considered my price
range. However the third shop on the list began to look like a possibly viable
option. Their prices seemed appropriate and their website offered further encouragement.
In addition, the return email contained language urging me to call a provided
phone number.
“I’m glad
you called,” the voice coming over the phone said. “My name is blank, and we’re
all about long-term relationships. Why don’t you come by the shop and let me
show you around?”
I told the
mechanic I’d get back with him but I had no intentions of doing that. I hung up
the phone and took a hot shower. After that, I gave up and called the
dealership.
I don’t wish
to leave you with the wrong impression. I love the BMW. It’s an absolute thrill
to drive and it has never failed me. The only thing I’ve taken the car to the
shop for is oil changes. The minor repairs were for things recommended by the
first mechanic. I’m not sure if any of it was necessary, or if any of the work
was actually done.
I want to thank everyone who has signed up for my
newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading it. If you know of someone who might enjoy
it, too, please email it to them. Thanks.
I also give programs for writing groups, reading groups, or
any group that’s interested. If you belong to a club, which needs program
speakers, keep me in mind.
You have permission to reprint, forward, or use the contents
of this newsletter in your newsletter or e-zine. The only requirement is the
inclusion of the following footer:
This article was written by Bob Avey, author of, Twisted
Perception, Beneath a Buried House, and Footprints of a Dancer. http://www.bobavey.com.
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