h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Time: 21:47 but I'm in bed already
Weather. - Continual rain for a couple of days now.

Today I got really cross with our car mechanics. We have been customers of theirs for 25 or more years and have bought two VWs from them in that time. Today was TÜv (equivalent of MOT) and inspection. I took the car in and used their shuttle service for a lift into the office (no great distance) There were a couple of other people who worked at the same place. The driver said she would like to coordinate the pick-up when all the cars were ready in the afternoon, which was fine by me. My car would be ready at 4, so would theirs, but they would like to be picked up earlier, if possible.

So from half past three onwards, I kept an eye out for the phone. They have my mobile number AND my office number so it would be no problem for them to find me. At 4.15 I was just thinking of phoning them, as it seemed rather late, based on the discussion this morning, but before I could dial, my husband rang me - panic in his voice: Would I go down immediately, they were waiting for me outside the office. I shut down my computer, grabbed my coat and ran out into the yukky rain and wind, but couldn't see the pick-up car. I walked right out on to the road and looked around, but couldn't see anything. So I phoned the garage and they said that the car had left, as they had been waiting too long or something. Someone was on their way now to pick me up.

Why did they not ring to tell me they were coming?
Why did they ring at home? Normally there would have been no one there - it was chance that my husband came in just at that moment - he had had a meeting and it could have gone on till 6 pm. They knew I was to be picked up at the office, so what made them think I'd be at home?
Why did they ring and tell me to come down to the car, and then drive off?

I stood for a good 20 minutes in the rain. I needed that time at work, because I have already lost loads of time waiting for these people.

it never used to be like that. They were very good and their customer service was impeccable. Coordinating everything this time (what with mending the broken mirror - which has now taken so long that it was touch and go whether it could be done at the same time as the inspection and MOT)

There - I've got that off my chest. Thank you.

Remember what you said about my hairdresser? Did you make your displeasure felt at the time?
(is there, in fact, anywhere else near that you could go?)

That is simply infuriating. Ignorant. Give them a bawling-out in the most public way you can arrange.

[Amy P]

They got the gist of what was going on. I haven't lodged an official complaint because you always get a phone call from some call centre after you've had your car serviced, to ask if all went well. I'm saving it up for that.