Today, I called the car service center to schedule an appointment for a regular maintenance service. I didn't call until 2:00 p.m., but, they had an opening at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, so, I booked that. I took the car in and opted to wait for it; they estimated it to take one hour, maybe 1 1/2 hours at the most. I had taken a book to read while I waited, as well as my sudoku puzzles book. Their waiting room also has a TV to watch if you prefer that and free coffee, etc.
There was one other customer waiting for her car and a salesman who was getting himself a cup of coffee when I went; he offered to get me a cup of coffee or hot chocolate from the machine and I asked for a cup of hot chocolates. The other customer left soon after that, but the salesman stayed and struck up a conversation with me, the usual small talk, asking about my car, what make, which year, etc. I assumed he was going to try to sell me a newer model (my car is a 2014 model), but, instead, he told me his life story! Where he was from (born in Atlanta, moved to Florida with his parents when he was a teen), what his parents did, about his younger sisters and grandmother, how he moved from Florida to California, two years ago, at the age of 18, the various jobs he did before he came to work at the dealership, how he sat in his car for 10 minutes trying to gather his courage to apply for this job, last year, what his long term goals in life were, and showed me pictures of his parents, grandmother, and sisters, etc. He was still telling me about himself when the service rep came to tell me my car was ready! LOL! I think, maybe, I reminded him a little of his grandmother that he told me so much about himself.
But, this seems to happen quite often, actually. I go somewhere to buy something or do something and often, people tell me about themselves. My daughter tells me that there is something about me that seems to encourage people tell me about their life stories. Maybe they sense I am genuinely interested in them.
The car had nothing wrong with it, I was told. The service came to $49.95. On the way home, I stopped at the pizza place and bought a pepperoni pizza for $5.48, including tax.
Later in the evening, I took the trash cans out to the curb and watered the front garden.
Today, I am grateful for:
- I was able to get a same day appointment for the car service
- They didn't find anything wrong with the car that required expensive repairs
- A cup of hot chocolate and an interesting conversation while I waited
- Water for the garden
- Video chatting with my daughter
My joyful activity for the day was fitting a few more pieces in the puzzle.
Plans for tomorrow include some housework and paperwork.
How was your Monday? What are your plans for Tuesday?
Cars can be quite expensive sometimes, good they didn't find anything wrong! Have a lovely day☺
ReplyDeleteYes, cars can be expensive to maintain, especially when they need repairs. I am very glad they didn't find anything wrong, this time. Hope your week is going well, Natalia. :)
DeleteWhat a very pleasant way to pass the time while you waited for your car. X
ReplyDeleteIt really was, Jules. I got my socializing for the day, talking with that young man. :)
DeleteI end up in long conversations like that too, and my daughter tease me.
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine people opening up to you, Angela. I'm sure you are easy to chat with. :)
DeleteI love to hear other peoples stories and everyone has one. It is wonderful that you were able to have a conversation with this salesman. I guess when you are salesman that every conversation can lead to a sale, but I was wondering if he were supposed to be doing some kind of work while he talked to you for an hour. :)
ReplyDeleteI wondered that, too, myself; if he was taking an extended coffee break or should have been out in the salesroom, showing a potential customer around. Maybe Monday afternoon was a slow time. But, I didn't ask him, as I felt it might be seen as a snub: "Let me show you a picture of my little sisters"; "Shouldn't you be out in the salesroom?" I did ask him for his business card, so, he could technically say he was talking to a potential client! :D
DeleteNothing wrong but it came to $50. Well, I suppose they had to pay the people, who looked at everything, and found out, there was nothing wrong. -smile-
ReplyDeleteGood news, regardless. It could have cost more!
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LOL, yes, it costs money for a check up! Especially when one goes to the dealers, as opposed to some other place. I budget $100 per month for car maintenance, so that when I do get a bigger bill (like the last time, when something needed to be replaced and the bill came to $435), I have the funds in place to pay for it. :)
DeleteHow pleasant to have such an interesting chat, with a cup of hot chocolate and then find that the car didn't need any more that the regular service. Very successful to get in the same day, too. Sometimes things just work out well.
ReplyDeleteWe had a successful trip today to the big city, for DH's visit to the periodontist. I picked up some items I had noted were available in a special store, and I read some magazines while DH was having his "service". I could have had a coffee as well in the lovely waiting room but didn't need one as we had just had lunch. The roads were clear both ways and we ate out on the way home, too.
It was a pleasant conversation and it certainly made the wait go by quickly. I do wish him well and hope he achieves his goals in life. I was very happy to get a same day appointment.
DeleteGlad to read that you had a successful trip to the big city. Sounds like you took full advantage of the trip, to pick up a few items and have dinner out, etc. Glad the roads were clear and you had a safe drive. :)