One Dead Battery and a Lazy Worker

A friend of mine had a rough start to his day the other day. One of the many things that made the morning frustrating was when he stopped to get gas and discovered his battery was dead when he tried to start up again.

He was told that he ought to check out O'Reilly auto parts - they would test the battery and change it for free if that was indeed the problem. I would have recommended the same place as I have always had good experiences at O'Reilly.

One of the employees came out and tested the battery and sure enough - bad battery. However, he took one glance at the battery and said he couldn't change it. There's a special bolt on there that only the dealership can get off.

Now, I will still go to O'Reilly because I refuse to let one lazy employee make a bad impression. "Special bolt?" That's stupid! No car manufacturer is going to put on some kind of special bolt to keep someone from changing a battery anywhere else. My friend even called the dealership and as soon as he mentioned "O'Reilly", the dealer said he has had 3 or 4 people call recently about this "special bolt". I was actually impressed that the dealer said my friend could bring his car by but it would be a whole lot cheaper to go somewhere else to get it changed.

Incompetent people are one thing - they can be taught. Lazy people are simply a pet peeve.

Things Managers Say

There is a Joe's Crab Shack nearby that has a very nice setting for lunch. On pretty days several of us like to go over and enjoy lunch outside by the pond. Joe's has a very nice set up.

What they don't have is good lunch service. Dinner is a different story but back to lunch - it's horrible service. It's not just every now and then either. It's consistently bad. The only reason we continue going back to Joe's is or the nice outdoor seating. So far it has out-weighed the bad service.

However, the other day several of our guys went (I wasn't able to make it). They came back and gave the usual report when asked "how was it?" Only this time they said "we got lunch for free!" I wish had gone but instead decided to stay and eat my frozen corn dogs.

Anyway, they told the manager how upsetting it is to come back time after time and receive such poor service. According to co-workers, the manager responded "if service is so bad why do you keep coming back?"

WHAT!?!?! You've got to be kidding me. Was he trying just trying to create ill-will with his customers? Honestly, that comment is very insulting and that friends is a pet peeve - stupid comments and excuses from restaurant managers.

BTW - I once tried to complain at Joe's website but by the time I filled out the form I learned that there site didn't work properly in Firefox. Needless to say I was peeved again. Why DO I keep going back?

Where's a pet peeve?

Sorry everyone - I've been distacted the last few days and haven't shared any pet peeves lately. I am sure all 5 of you are very upset. So, back to peeving...