Categories: uncategorized
Date: 06 March 2008 10:24:26
No, not *carelessness*, although that could be a contributing factor.
For a week or so my hi-tech, nagging car, which starts binging at the driver for the least infraction, has been flashing a message telling me to check my glow plugs, whatever they are (should I ask Women Aglow?). I finally got round to taking it, in the fairly early morning, to the main dealership where I bought it, since it's still under warranty.
It sounded like a simple matter to me: check and if necessary replace those glowing plugs. However when I rang in the late afternoon, they said they wanted to keep it for more tests and do a cold start in the morning. Sounded to me suspiciously like they hadn't actually looked at it until the afternoon. However I accepted it, and they told me to ring at 10.00 today.
I duly rang at 10.00, only to be told that George (the mechanic who's working on it) was away from his desk. That was exactly what I was told at first yesterday afternoon. Now I accept that George needs to be in the workshop if he's fixing, or in charge of fixing, a car. But if I am told to ring at 10.00, I rather expect the person who asks me that, to make an effort to be near a phone at 10.00. Am I unrealistic?
My carlessness, and possibly the garage's carelessness, has caused me to miss a meeting I really wanted to go to this morning. I could have gone by bus, or even walked, but then I would not have been available to pick up the car if it was ready. And now I have to wait for George to ring back, and can't settle to doing anything useful because I expect to have to drop it at any moment and get the car. Grrrrr....
Yes I know, I need to be greener and less dependent on my car. I did take the bus to singing workshop last night, but there are times when I simply don't have time to wait for a bus. I only passed my test at 38, and I do love the independence the car gives me. Sorry planet, I do try my best in other respects: low energy light bulbs, organic and fairtrade foods, recycling (talking of which, perhaps I should have a bike. But this area is *very* hilly, and I can't quite see myself using it much). It's not easy being green...