Just got the run-around at EZ-Lube.

What did I expect? – It’s an EZ-LUBE for Jim Caviezel’s sake!

Just wanted a basic oil change, top off the fluids and give the old lady a once-over.

Planned on a few charges, four months ago they did a good job and the car ran great – so I’m back for a follow-up.

Different mechanic kid this time, very forward and happy, explaining the checklist of inspections, I’m learning.

I do the same thing at The Vitamin Shoppe, but that’s a story for another time.

Back to the Toyota…

So anyway, the Latino male mechanic says I could use new spark plugs, shows me the date on the hose (1995), so I believe him.

He says if I get all the other stuff (power steering lubrication, belt, special oils, etc.), he’ll install the spark plugs and throw in the radiator flush for free.

Basically, due to no jury duty, I was able to run around and take care of non-comedy business today – i.e. not in a rush.

Just to give you an idea, I literally got 40 “sirs”, 11 handshakes and 17 “I’ll take care of yous” from this bs’er – it became comical in my head. From this point on, never got a straight answer outta this character.

Once he offered under the table after-hours spark plug labor, everything in the EZ-Lube employee manual was thrown out the window.

I’m not kidding when he asked me for a ride to another shop so he could pick up some tools – to suggesting I go by to the shop and get the tools myself – to ME driving HIS car to the shop – to coming back at 6pm tonight – to coming back at 9am in the morning – to after this, to before that, down here, over there, another “sir”, had a bad day, I’ll do it during my lunch, “give you my word”, etc…

Un-F’ing believable.

Finally, at 7:30pm, after helping him start and re-start my car while parked in the middle auto bay, he says he’ll get to my “tune-up” once he’s done with his last oil change.

I said I gotta go, then basically dressed him down, told him everything I’m telling you AND that EZ-Lube lost a customer.

This kid ain’t stable and he’s calling the shots over there.

Here’s an example…

After the first five minutes, I said I liked his sales pitch.

He says, “I’m not a salesman, I’m the manager”

I said, I’m not a salesman, per say either, but I sell myself everyday in this town of edutainment.

(Wow, I should write a spec script based on this, I got skillz)

Bottom line, my car is fine – However, I’m disappointed in myself for wasting time in effort to connect and mesh with today’s locals.

Also, I have six brand new spark plugs I drove to Pep Boys for sitting on my passenger seat.

Next Stop Tomorrow?

You guessed it, Jiffy Lube.