The other side of the counter.
Is where I found myself this morning, bringing our car in for an oil change and a ‘look-see under the hood’ – and to turn off the damn Maintenance Required and Tire Pressure lights. The latter the most ignored warning light. Like telling your kids “go to sleep”.
Even more ignored than these modern lights:
Low fuel – you should buy an EV;
Warning: Income Inequality Zone;
Speed Up, You’ve Run Over a Pedestrian.
Notably, it was my first auto repair visit since selling our last AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care outlet on March 27th. Back then, I’d have Caheem look at the car and do whatever.
No charge. Sort of. Since someone else was paying the bill.
It was fun, until remembering who ‘someone else’ was.
We’d bought our first AAMCO in 2011, an idea inspired by a beach afternoon spent talking about family investment opportunities, confirming once again that the best decisions usually don’t follow beer drinking.
Three sons and a daughter worked there at some point; I did the financial updates, a morning tradition/obsession.
AAMCO’s a franchise company, meaning they ‘collect’ a portion of your weekly revenue.
Every. Monday. Morning. Like. Clockwork.
They’re still living off the Double A-M-C-O jingle, which first ran in like 1847, still airing periodically. Their ‘brand equity’ part of what the franchise fee covered, along with their field resources and training expertise.
I worked for Coke for 35 years, also a franchise system; the ‘parent’ company would fund the distributors/Bottlers.
All it took was inviting someone from Atlanta for a market visit; they arriving for a fun dinner, carrying a bag of cash, identifying a market ‘problem’, leaving the bag behind. Problem solved!
Which we tried with AAMCO field folks a couple of times until we realized they were like FedEx: Drivers Don’t Carry Cash!
They also didn’t say goodbye or thank you when we exited the business, which I’ll admit was not a surprise.
They weren’t great at franchising. But we weren’t great at auto repair.
Our slogan was “Tell the truth, you’ll have less to remember” – we valued honesty with customers.
We may have been one of the few honest dealers; we never added metal shavings to transmission fluid as ‘evidence’ a new transmission was needed.
We were also honest on warranties, an AAMCO selling point: Unlimited mileage, nationwide coverage.
Still, there’d be the occasional complaint:
My favorite, the customer with an initial problem with their new transmission – not unusual – scheduled to return to fix the issue. On the way, he was in an accident, his car totaled. He asked for a refund, which we offered – just bring the transmission back.
So, today I was the one with the anxious, fearful look on the other side of the counter.
Representative of auto repair’s first issue: Fear, that it’s expensive and dishonest.
The second problem was personal: We only have one car – that’s all we need! – so I had a 40-minute walk home after signing-in.
But I found a ride for the return, so there’s that.
And the oil change and look-see went great; the only issue the need for 2 new tires.
The good news? I can wait a while, always the best answer…
But the third problem: a 3% credit card ‘surcharge’.
Which I understand. Nearly everyone is doing, still irritating.
We never did. Another good reason to sell.
In hindsight, they were upfront about the fee, so honest. I guess.
Probably an idea started by AI – or SI?
But a modern trend I’m glad my dad’s not here for…
ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR WITH THE FOLLOWING ‘AGING HIPSTER MUSIC/READING’:
Matt Berninger, vocalist of the National, has a new album. It’s good. The National still in operation, this Berninger’s theird solo album. He also released an album as EL VY.
And Love Is Not Enough still available on Amazon. What a great read for anyone who has dealt with mental health or addiction issues. Or just wants to read about family love and recovery.