My car battery finally eked out its last bit of energy last night in my driveway. I'd noticed ever since my car had set for 4-5 days during our ice storm that every time I'd turn the engine over the battery sounded weak. After all the years of driving that I've done I could just tell that it was the end of the road. At least I was praying silently that it was just the battery.
I purposely drove with everything possible turned on all the way home to test it. Once home in my driveway I turned the car off and tried to restart it. As I suspected, it was deader than a doornail.
Since I get off work at 6pm I knew I had a very small window of opportunity to get my car into a place and get the battery changed. Ordinarily, I would have taken my car to LES SCHWAB, where I buy my tires, get my brakes repaired and have in the past also bought batteries. But they close at 6pm so that wasn't an option.
First I called Sears, the DIEHARD people. The gentleman who answered told me that the auto service department closes at 8pm. Great, that would give me an hour which should be plenty of time since I only live a few minutes from the Mall.
I explained quickly what I needed, but he just as quickly explained that he could sell me a battery, but wouldn't have time to put it in. Well anyone can sell me a battery! I said. I need someone to put it in. He reiterated what he'd just told me, like I didn't comprehend. Like I was a moron. Like I didn't understand English. Oh, Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Aggravated, but polite, I hung up and called Wal-Mart. They too were open until 8pm, but unlike Sears they would fit me in. Now that's customer service!
Off I went to Wal-Mart for a new battery. The technician tested the old battery and then tested my alternator to be sure that the battery was the source of the problem, and luckily it was. I was in and out of there in an hour!
I don't care what anyone says; Wal-Mart has proven to me that on more than this occasion they truly do put the customer first, and because of that attitude they will keep me as a customer.
5 comments:
AND I AGREE. OUR SON, WHO WAS DOING MAINTENCE WORK AT THE TIME, HAD HIS VACUUM CLEANER BURN OUT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS HEAVIEST JOB. HE WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT PLACES TRYING DESPERATELY TO GET A NEW ONE. WHEN HE CALLED WAL MART THE MAN SAID,"JUST COME ON OVER, SIR . WE WILL HAVE EVERYTHING READY BY THE TIME YOU GET HERE." I SHOP THERE A LOT AND HAVE ALWAYS SEEN THE WORKERS PUT TO USE...tTHE CUSTOMER MATTERS). Barbpinion
Sears!!!! I have my own horror stories when dealing with Sears. Long story short -- I will NEVER deal with Sears again. When I purchased a new heating/air central unit everything that they could have screwed up, they did. Stay with Wal-Mart.
I'm glad you were able to find good customer service ... it sure makes a difference in where we go again. Seems many stores and companies forget about good customer service.
Monica
Auto Zone is great too. Fixed me right on up. Personally, I don't like Walmart, but not because of their customer service. Race
Sears always had odd hours and made you sit and wait forever. I really didn't know there are car parts at Walmart. Maybe ours doesn't have any. I go there mainly for fabric and toiletries. Glad it all worked out! Gotta love Walmart.
Post a Comment