2 Weeks Of Nothing

         Well, here I am sitting here wondering what to write. The first thing that pops into mind is to give the “resolution” to what I was so irritated about last week. The car thing did not go well. Well, I got the car back, so I guess that’s a positive, but still, it was very unfulfilling. At this point, I don’t even remember how much I got into it with you. I hope to not recap the entire ordeal. I did get a call from the service department last Thursday. I had left a pretty disgruntled message for my “service advisor.” I got a call from someone else, which led me to believe they were at least checking their messages. The person on the other end of the phone told me that they were sorry, that they had no idea what was going on with my vehicle, and that they were not able to help me in any way. I was livid! Was I supposed to be glad that I was at least contacted? In a way it made it worse, because now I was certain that my other messages had been heard, and I was ignored. How do you treat people like this? Especially since I had the feeling that they were hoping I’d pay for the $4,000 in repairs they said needed made. Why would I go through that expense with people who care so little about their clients!? It didn’t make any sense. It still doesn’t make any sense. Friday morning, I went through their website and got the number for the Service Manager. His inbox was full, and no longer accepting messages. Typical! The site had his email address, so I sent him my ploy. I got nothing! Friday came and went, the weekend came and went, and still I heard nothing. It was my anniversary weekend too! The last thing I wanted to be doing on our weekend was thinking about our “good” car being held hostage, but alas, that is what ended up happening.

     We still had a good time. This year we decided to do a staycation up in Oceanside. I used to deliver to a few places up there, and for years have been thinking it would be fun to go up there and try a few of the places I had seen. We got a hotel, and just checked out a city we don’t spend that much time in. Dinner was delicious. We went to a place called Wrench and Rodent. I know, it sounds like a weird name for a restaurant. I thought so from the moment I heard of it, but something about it intrigued me. Especially since it’s a sushi joint! It was literally the best sushi I’ve ever had. One of the rolls actually got me choked up a little bit. There was some flavor in there that gave me the chills, and caused me to tear up a little. It was amazing. We had this smoked Opah belly that was literally the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. I was in awe! I don’t know that we stopped smiling the entire time we were there. It’s not really a “fancy” place, but we were in a very happy place. Which is exactly what we needed. I actually stopped thinking about the car for an hour or so. Not only did I have concern for the vehicle in the shop, but the vehicle we took to Oceanside is not running the best either. Both of our vehicles are older. The one in the shop is 2012. The one we took to Oceanside is 2007! It runs okay, but it sometimes has its issues. It’s unfortunate that both of our vehicles are in need of repair at the same time. When it rains it pours. So, not only was I worried about the car in the shop, but I was also worried about the car I was driving! Worry, on top of worry, is not how I want to be going about my life. Obviously.

     We stopped for brunch at Draft Republic on Sunday. Opening football Sunday?! We’re lucky we got in. Luckily, we got there early enough that it wasn’t too bad yet. By the time we left, it was packed. It was loud in there. Not relaxing at all. Plus, they had all the tv’s on one wall side by side, in a large 9 panel grid. I thought it made it confusing. I prefer turning my head to watch other tv’s, with them so close together, I couldn’t concentrate. My wife likes football too, quite a bit, so I don’t want you to think she was being ignored. It’s something we enjoy together. The menu looked great, but the food was okay. I doubt I’ll go back. Although, I will say, the first time I went to Buffalo Wild Wings, I didn’t have fun either. So, who knows. Anyway, our anniversary weekend was great. However, Monday morning, I tried the Ford online chat to see if I could get some help. They gave me the number to a manager. I left a message, and he called me back! Progress! I explained my issue, he said he’d forward it, and a few minutes later, the Service Manager called me! Progress! I told him my woes, trying to be as respectful as possible, but as I’ve heard, I can be a little short on the sugar. He said it wasn’t the TCM, he didn’t know what happened, and my car was ready for pick up. I had to arrange it. And funnily, about 3 hours later, my “service advisor” called to say that my car was ready, and that his boss told him, there would be no charge. I was stunned. Then, when I went to get my car, it was not clean. They always ask you if you want it cleaned. I had said “yes,” but they hadn’t washed it. I was not going to argue, at that point I never wanted to see them again. But it made me wonder, if my service was done, why not the whole thing. Then later on, when I scrutinized the paperwork, I noticed, on item line 23, it was in black and white: they were not ever able to get to the TCM diagnosis. They had my car for 2 weeks and did nothing! I knew it.