Ten days ago, I wrote about my car failing the MOT test, and needing two new tyres.
I didn’t use it after driving it home, and then three days later, Julie used it to take her daughter and grandchildren out for the day. They did a fair few miles, and had an enjoyable day. However, when she returnd home that evening, she said she could hear a ‘rubbing noise’ when turning right. I drove into town and back, and couldn’t hear it.
Last Friday, she cut her hand at work. It was in an awkward place on the edge of her right hand, and bleeding badly. So I drove to collect her, leaving her car in the car park. We had two options then. Either drive the shorter distance to the main Norwich Hospital, and possibly wait for many hours to be seen, or drive up to Cromer on the north coast, where there is a minor injuries unit open from 08:00 until 20:00. That seemed the better option, and off we went.
Arriving close to 7:30pm, we wondered if we were going to be too late. But no. An efficient receptionist booked her in, then asked me to wait in the car park due to Covid-19 restrictions. Less than ten minutes after I got back to the car, Julie appeared, her wound closed with steri-strips, and a dressing covering the injury. When you hear so many complaints about our health service, I think it is only right to balance that with praise for the marvellous service we received last Friday.
Well done the NHS.
On the way home, we used the main relief road to avoid Norwich, and it has many roundabouts. Once negotiating those, I could hear the ‘rubbing noise’ that Julie had spoken about previously.
On Sunday morning, I returned to the car repair dealership I had used for the MOT, service, and tyres, and asked them to investigate the noise. The manager drove the car around the forecourt, and agreed he could hear the noise. However, after some examination of the wheels and steering, he was unable to speculate on what might be causing it. He suggested I leave it there overnight, and he would get a more experienced colleague to examine the car today. (Monday) I agreed, and Julie collected me and took me home. Although this Monday is a public holiday in England, they were open from 10:00 until 16:00.
Me being me, I feared the worst. Major repairs just before our holiday, and yet more eye-watering expense. While I was out walking Ollie, Julie rang them just before 1pm, and they said the car was ready. They had found a loose back plate on a front brake disc, and that was moving enough to cause the rubbing sound on full right lock. As they had worked on the car recently, they said they would not be charging me anything at all, because of the possibility that they may have caused the temporary fault.
When I collected the car, they gave me a Diagnostic Wheel Alignment report, telling me they had additionally checked the alignment to put my mind at rest. This alone usually costs £59, but there was no charge. I think good service like this should also be praised, especially for a large chain of car repairers that doesn’t always have the best reputation here.
So, well done to Dereham branch of Kwik Fit too.
Congratulations, Pete! Good people doing good things. xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does make such a nice change for me to be so positive, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Few people are quick to give praise, many are quick to complain. Thank you for being the one who gives praise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I complain a lot, so like to balance that out from time to time, Jennie. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You do that well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of my greatest fears these days is the ‘mechanic’….good news to hear you had a good experience…sorry to hear about Julie hope she heals well chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, chuq. I used to dread taking the car to a mechanic in London, but out here in the country they have to stay reasonably honest to keep the business.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A pleasure indeed chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely feel-good post, Pete..when something nice happens we should give praise and often don’t but invariably do when something goes wrong and is not dealt with correctly…Well Done 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most of us are too quick to moan, including me. When something is very good, we should let everyone know.
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems the shop has earned your trust Pete. And, assurances of the car being fit for holiday! Three Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Chris. Decades of not trusting mechanics has been hard to overcome, but they are changing my mind up here in the countryside.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Good news Pete, nice to hear 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Makes a change, and nice to be on the receiving end. 🙂
Cheers, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s brilliant, Pete. Sometimes things do go right and it is so refreshing when the lucky recipient writes and says so. People are so ready with complaints, no as fast with praise. I think those of us who worked with the public are well aware of this! Glad all worked out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carolyn. I believe it is very important to give praise for good service.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear two such positive stories, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do moan a lot, so like to try to balance that with occasional good news stories, Mary.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The NHS and it’s dedicated staff almost always has my full regard but it’s not often I hear a garage receive praise like yours Pete. When a chain gets a bad name it colours the good with the bad so it’s great to hear some are good with customer service.
Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, David. When I lived in London, I wouldn’t touch Kwik-Fit with a bargepole, let alone a car. But up here they seem to be fair and honest, at least in my nearest branch.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
that is great! and so heartwarming to read stories like these, Pete. there ARE good people out there! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a joy to find such great service, Wilma.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Not all mechanics are as generous or as honest as yours.
Therein lies the rub.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely done, David! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It made a refreshing change, Pit.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Indeed Pete! It’s great when things work as they were designed to, with the customer in mind…glad that Julie got her hand taken care of quickly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John. I am so used to things not working out as planned, I always feel greatly relieved when they do. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, sounds like Kwik Fit in Dereham might be worth a visit, lol. I didn’t know about the Minor Injuries Unit in Cromer, so thanks for that, although it’s about a 2 hour drive for us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very long way for you. It’s about 40 minutes for us from Beetley. A better option than sitting in A&E at Norwich Hospital though.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. If I lived nearer I’d be using them. A good mechanic is worth their weight in gold
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, hard to find indeed. I am still surprised by their honesty.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Good service should always be shouted out about. People will always tell everyone about bad service but not always about good service.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s true, Darlene. I filled in a customer satisfaction survey for the car place and let them know.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great, Pete! It is good to hear about good people that provide good service! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I moan about a lot of things, so I like to give some positive news when good stuff happens.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good mechanics are like good doctors. Once you find one, you never give them up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true, Leon. When I lived in London, it was virtually impossible to find an honest mechanic. Things are a lot better in the countryside.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one, Julie and the car will be tip top for the holiday! I take it Ollie is all better now too?
LikeLiked by 1 person
He has to have the second dose of ear gel on Thursday, and that should clear up his ears for now. Julie has to leave a dressing on her hand until next Wednesday. We are changing it regularly, but she’s okay.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, kindness is the key. Such good news indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good service is such a rarity, I like to praise it, Arlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Well done indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Makes a nice change to be able to be so positive, Peggy.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done by both – refreshing
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m always happy to report something positive, Beth.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fate was certainly smiling on you, Pete…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to have some good luck for a change. I might buy a lottery ticket! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
You never know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done all round! Always pleasant to hear good news. Cheers, Jon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like to give praise where it is due, Jon.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people