(Disclaimer: I’m not sexist. It’s just that some advice should be taken into consideration before adherence.)
So, I went to Jiffy Lube the other day for my quarterly oil change. To my amazement, there was a young woman working at the station. I was a little surprised, but she handled everything appropriately and asked all the typical questions before servicing my car.
Following the service, she began reviewing the status of my car and letting me know what she had just done.
“Everything looks great,” she said. “You must really look after your car. I just see average wear on your car; nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Yeah, I like it.”
“There is one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Your brake fluid is extremely low, and we’re not authorized to service that part of your car. You’ll need to take care of that yourself, or have your auto dealer service your car.”
“Good to know.” Then thinking to myself — “I think I know how to handle that.”
Well, I drove directly to Checker Auto Parts and purchased brake fluid, then popped the hood… to my amazement my brake fluid was fine! The level was around the average mark.
Moral of the story: Consider your sources before following their advice.
–Now don’t think for a minute that I’m trying to through punches and the girls. I’m sure there have been times when we’ve taken advice from guys when it would have been much better to get a girl’s suggestion.
Just a thought.
did you check to see if she mixed it up with some other fluid thta was low?
Comment by Raven — January 20, 2008 @ 9:11 am
I did. Everything seems to be fine. I’m willing to bet that she just read the gauge wrong.
Comment by Don — January 20, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
It could have been read incorrectly just as easily by a “dude”. In this case, I’d only take into consideration the amount of training or time on the job rather than the gender from which the advice came.
I’ve had MANY times when the guy at the quickie-drive-thru-oil service station gave bad advice. One time I walked out when the “manager” told me he wanted to put 44 lbs of air pressure in my Explorer’s tires.
Comment by Arlene_AZ — January 20, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
Hate to break it to you . . . but it did sound like you were trying to THROW punches AT the girls, but it is your opinion so keep stating it in any way that you want.
Comment by Brenda — January 21, 2008 @ 11:38 am
I’m not throwing any punches at anyone. It was just something that I thought after the experience.
As Arlene puts it: It could have been read incorrectly just as easily by a “dude”. – totally agree.
Comment by Don — January 22, 2008 @ 8:02 am
The question is WOULD you have thought the same thing if a dude gave you the same bad advice?
I think your conclusion is right but your premise is wrong. It wasn’t the fact that the attendent was female that made them an unreliable source. It was that they worked for Jiffy-Lube!
But again, this statement is just a reflection of my own bad experiences.
Comment by Sara — January 22, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
That’s a good point. I’ve heard a few people mentioning to me their bad experiences with Jiffy Lube… but, I’m a creature of habit. I’ve been so many times that I’ve become a VIP and get 15% off every time I go.
However, I would be willing to make a switch. Any suggestions as to where to take my car next?
Comment by Don — January 23, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
Not in Utah. But I know of a great place for body repair…
Comment by Sara — January 24, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
get an oil pan, some oil, and a car jack and do it yourself, its the easiest thing ever. Just make you dont put the jack under your car frame like most people do. The frame wont hold up your cars weight and its not stable enough either. Other than that all you have to do is remove the screw/plug from the oil pan and let it drain and fill your car up new oil.
Comment by Raven — January 25, 2008 @ 7:18 am
Raven, I’ll admit it. I’m lazy.
I’ve changed the oil in my car before, but prefer to take it somewhere and have someone else do it. Besides, I’m helping the economic wellbeing.
And Sara, I might need that body repair shop… oh wait, you’re referring to car body. Ooops!
Comment by Don — January 26, 2008 @ 11:14 am