I just had a wonderful experience, as wonderful as dealing with a car repair can be. The auto shop that I sent my car to for a diagnostic test actually left me with good feelings despite the fact they told me I needed a new engine. So when I initially contacted the shop they told me the test would be over a hundred dollars. What was I charged? A cool 52 bucks with a written assessment of what was needed. If you are like me, you probably don’t have much faith in auto repair shops. But anytime you can walk away with an assessment, not be sweated about making an immediate decision and can even leave the car for over a week without it being the end of the world, well that is an auto shop I can learn to love. Thanks Chicago Import Services for renewing my faith in mechanics.
Posts Tagged ‘Companies’
Mechanic Needed
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010Spectacle Please
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010So posting new information is not the only thing that I‘m behind on, both of the dvrs are 95% full, my father knows more about YouTube than I do and I’m constantly asked by family and friends if I’m on Facebook yet. Okay, okay, I’m getting around to all of it. There is absolutely no way that my father can be more up on things than me. So while I’ve been catching up on Oprah and The View, a couple of stories struck me. One of my favorite is about a guest who was on The View, Dave Carroll, who has gotten to corporate America in my new favorite way. Can anyone say Spectacle! Much applause to you Dave Carroll, thanks for showing us the way. While the question that must still be raised is why most companies require “spectacle” in order to do the right thing, if that’s what gets it done I am certainly on board with creating a three ring circus at their front door. Mr. Carroll your performance was one of the best showcases of musical talent combined with spectacle. I loved it. By the way spectacle is one of my new favorite words and trust me that will certainly be my angle when I encounter future insurmountable and or unforgivable levels of denial, unconcern, and irresponsibility from any company. My heart attack days are over and I’m going to release all the drama that talking to customer service can offer. Again Dave Carroll, bravo on calling American Airlines out in such a truly interesting and charismatic way. I wish I would have thought of it myself. Now personally I don’t think that it should have to come to that, but congrats on demanding accountability from a ridiculous situation. American Airlines and all other companies who need it, the circus can always be open to your business.
The Jobs That Pay
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009There was an article on Yahoo.com discussing 10 fields where it was surprising that people were only making minimum wage. Hmm, I’m going to see if I can guess the jobs. Let me ask, are any of those jobs dependent on your speed, agility and ability to hold onto or launch a ball? No? Perhaps it might involve a ball being dunked, dribbled or maybe being swung at by a bat interspersed with lots of spitting? No? Do any of them require meticulous outward appearances, interpretations of scripts and are shown on television or in theaters? No? What about the job where you sing and at the same time you create a new dance step? No? None of those jobs pay minimal wage? Okay, then is it one of those gigs where you get paid just because you are you? Yeah I know, who am I kidding, I know there are those “fabulous” ones who are lucky enough to make a cushy living on that one. Minimum wage, yeah right. Well let’s see what jobs actually made the underpaid and underappreciated list. EMTs and lifeguards, wow, they can breathe life into our bodies but not necessarily into their own pockets. Preschool teachers and nannies, evidently the formative years don’t pay. CNAs, guess that’s the problem with the nursing home smells, they don’t earn enough to clean, well pretty much anything. Rounding off the list were tax preparers, automobile mechanics, line cooks, amusement park ride operators and pharmacy techs. While I appreciate the talent that individuals in sports, entertainment and the fabulous ones have, I think we also need to appreciate the things that people contribute every day as well. It may not be on the grand scale or platform that some professions offer, but important and respectable none the less. Irrespective of a person’s field of choice, shouldn’t people in general be able to live without their daily necessities balancing in the wind? I don’t think that athletes, entertainers, the “fabulous” and only those at the top of a company ladder should have that aspect of life on lock as they say. But hey, only a select few think I’m fabulous, so I guess I don’t carry much weight!
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Friday, September 11th, 2009That’s what we are missing as a society. People are so quick to be consumed with their own self importance that they forget consideration for others. We are a society of inconsiderate people, organizations and groups. Be it banks, mortgages companies, employers, service providers, government agencies, politicians; I’ll stop now because the list can go on and on. The bottom line is even on an individual level there is too often a lack of respect and consideration shown towards our fellow citizen. We should not feel in order to be successful, turn a profit, or be at the top of our game that we must make others feel insignificant, unimportant or nonexistent. Why don’t we try treating others the way we would want to be treated, I thought I heard that somewhere before but apparently it’s a novel idea. Maybe what we need is to require “Consideration and Respect Training” country wide, you know like maybe when you renew your drivers’ license. I’m sure eyes are rolling because I suggested one more requirement, but hey I’m going to benefit from this one, so keep the rumbling to a minimum please. So since I just put that on my ‘to do’ list, while I work on my manual I will outline a few key points. 1. Treat others the way you want to be treated, I learned that at home and even in kindergarten 2. Do not interrupt the person who has the floor, Rep. Joe Wilson, I hope you’re paying attention. 3. Tone is important when you are communicating with others, email shouters take note. Though these are lessons that I’m sure most of us know, banks, employers, mortgage companies, politicians, service providers and hey everyone and anyone, are you paying attention, a periodic refresher is apparently needed.
The Business of Death
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009Lately with everything that has been going on from the seeming one after the other deaths of the” rich and famous” to grave selling schemes of the “unimportant and forgettable”, not my sentiment but evidently the way the despicable people who could even think to do such a horrific thing must have felt, it has been highlighted that death is a big business. From those who can and do capitalize from the passing of an icon to those who are never satisfied with the knowledge that there will always be business, death is a never ending money scheme. I guess the question is when has it crossed the line? Well for certain I can tell you when you decide to dig up people’s remains and toss them around like you are throwing, hmm, I actually can’t think of anything that should be tossed aside like the remains of the people in the Bur Oak incident and if I’m not mistaken I believe we’ve had something like this happen before, trust that you have not only crossed a line but evidently no line exists for you. You know I think the really sad part of all of this is that no matter the life you lead on earth if there’s money to be made by a business; there is not even peace in death.
Equity Is Key
Thursday, August 6th, 2009Okay, admittedly it’s hard to be sympathetic to someone who is making what appears to be an exceeding large salary when they are still not satisfied and want more. I know many would gladly accept that salary and at this time I will happily throw my name into the bucket for getting paid to share opinions especially since right now I’m doing it for free. Tell you what American Idol, I’m feeling really generous and I’ve got a real bargain for you, I’ll do it for one-fifth of Paula Abdul’s salary. Sorry Paula, a girls’ got to eat. Irrespective of the fact that Paula and others in her position do not have to worry about everyday things like so many of us do, the fact of the matter is companies garner lots of money from having certain “names” attached with their projects, sports teams, television shows, etc. Because of this, I do believe that individuals should be fairly compensated within the realm of fairness for that specific circumstance. Of course that does mean that we will continue to hear ridiculous sounding salaries like those of many athletes and entertainers. However, as with anything, I am in favor of equity. An organization shouldn’t make millions and feel that they should not compensate appropriately those who contributed to them having those earnings. I’m sure it is also a big blow to the egos of entertainers and athletes alike to learn they are not exempt to those issues of us non-clouted individuals, you know when someone else makes judgments on your worth. Being compensated based on your “value” to the company for all but the one at the top will always knock you down a peg. You know businesses have the unique ability to make you feel like crap on so many levels, whether you are the third assistant removed or the co-star of a movie you still can get it handed to you. It’s got to be hard to sit next to someone who is making say $45 million for just a couple of years of work when you feel your work is no less important than theirs and you only get 10. Plain and simple, that sucks. I think I would complain too. No matter what these companies pay those who assist with their operation, rest assured, the company is without doubt getting theirs. Companies just show some respect for those who helped you get it.
Shout It Out
Friday, July 17th, 2009You know it really is the case that the louder you say it the better off you’ll be. Trying to address issues with a company by following the “proper” channels will generally prove to be a head turning experience. Meaning they will turn their heads and act like you are not even there. Having to publicize your injustices should be a last ditch effort but personally I have come to think that is where we all should start. Save yourselves some time and aggravation. Get it on the news. Look at the time it takes them, companies that is, to respond to a media nightmare versus answering a letter. Which do you think is going to get the better result? I really wish I would have left the court system behind for the court of public opinion. Alleviate the stress, get the attention from the company that you need and a little satisfaction to boot. Win, win, and win.
The Price of Clout
Sunday, July 5th, 2009The fact that you have influence shouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. So why is it that those who are in that position usually end up being loathed by those who are not. The reason is simple; the power goes to their head. Take for instance the reported $250,000 dinner that was supposed to have allowed influential business people to meet influential White House staffers, what exactly was that money supposed to buy them? I’m guessing a favor of some sort is what they were planning for. At least now we know the cost of trying to sell us out.
AIG, The Sequel
Friday, June 26th, 2009Okay so it’s not actually AIG this time, it’s Citigroup. To be perfectly honest I am sick of them too. The air of entitlement, and regular flipping of the bird that these companies give and better yet, get away with truly astonishes me. I guess it shouldn’t, but the blatant disrespect that they are able to dish to the public with no repercussions is just ridiculous. Citigroup has been complaining about their ability to hire because of the stipulations that accompany bailout money. So instead of giving obscene bonuses, they will simply give their employees a higher salary, as much as 50%, to offset the reduction. Sounds like a great solution, my question is does this apply to those who are considered more expendable? Oh yeah, silly me, of course not because they’re expendable. They won’t even have jobs. Companies are cutting salaries, cutting positions, taking away benefits but miraculously somehow Citigroup has figured out a way to pay people, who I’m assuming are operational mangers, I guess I could be wrong but I doubt it, what they want, irrespective of any government stipulations and despite the fact most of those who will receive this bump in “salary” were pretty much underperforming. After all, aren’t they supposed to be the experts? How did they get in this mess in the first place, requiring tax payer money? Again I am stating that the way these companies are allowed to do whatever they please has got to be stopped. Particularly when our dollars are giving them the leverage to make these decisions. Enough is simply enough. I would say let’s take our business elsewhere but honestly, I don’t think there is anywhere to go.
Never Satisfied
Monday, June 15th, 2009Isn’t it annoying when you go out of your way for someone and they seem to never be satisfied? I guess now we should feel sorry for Citigroup that after having received $45 billion in borrowed money that they have no idea when they’ll repay, sidebar, I would really like one of those loans, I’ll get it back to you say, um whenever. But anyway, poor Citigroup can’t hire whoever they want and pay them a ridiculous salary to do whatever since they haven’t paid back their huge bailout. Citigroup my eyes are wailing up because of the sorrow I feel for you. Yeah, not really. I do have a couple of questions for you Citigroup. Are you sure you know who to hire? Didn’t you do that the first go around? Should you really be complaining about that now? And can I get one of those whenever payback loans, I could really use it.