Episode #655
August 21, 2021
We have all heard that,
“It is not what you know, but who you know that counts.”
i suggest that it is both.
WHAT i KNEW:
Driving home from Wyoming i noticed a sluggishness in the steering of my 1999 Toyota Tacoma.
WHO i KNEW:
i thought to ask my mechanic about it when i returned home.
WHAT i KNEW:
In south Las Vegas, heading south on Interstate 15, just before the miles long expanse of desert, i needed to fill up with gas.
WHO i KNEW:
Chevron is my go-to gas station for a cleaning agent called Techron. There was a Chevron station on the next off ramp.
WHAT i KNEW:
Turning into the gas station it felt like my front left tire blew, then a louder than normal scrapping such as the rim dragging on the pavement. i continued another 100 feet to a safe place in the station parking lot.
On inspection of the tire i saw that it was laying sideways and the suspension was on the ground.
WHO i KNEW:
The station was a Valvoline oil change shop.
WHAT i KNEW:
This shop was not going to help me with the broken suspension, but they may know someone who could.
WHO i KNEW:
Valvoline referred me to the Meineke which was one block away.
WHAT i KNEW:
i had to call Meineke to see if they could fix the suspension, since i was 300 miles from home. i looked up their number on my iPhone and called.
WHO i KNEW:
The manager of the Meineke was supportive and fairly certain that he could get me on the road that day.
WHAT i KNEW:
i had to get the car to the Meineke shop. i have AAA roadside service.
WHO i KNEW:
i called AAA. They sent out a tow truck. The tow driver was expert and pleasant. He towed me to Meineke.
WHAT i KNEW:
This was my best and only shot. i put my full faith in Eric at Meineke. Price weighed on my mind, but Eric seemed like an honest man. i felt i could trust him.
WHO i KNEW:
Eric was a master of sourcing, found all the necessary parts and assured me he could fix my truck by the end of the day.
WHAT i KNEW:
Paula and i had a few hours to kill, so we took a walk and had lunch.
WHO i KNEW:
Eric came through. He test drove my car about an hour before closing, i paid him gladly and he handed me my keys.
WHAT i KNEW:
The repair was rushed. i resolved to have my home mechanic take a look at their work, even though i trusted Meineke.
WHO i KNEW:
When i got home my mechanic checked out the suspension repair and gave it his blessing.
A thought before i conclude:
i was extremely lucky in this situation. i knew enough to call on people to resolve the problem.
But had the ball joint failure occurred a few more miles down the freeway at 80 miles per hour i might have flipped the car in the middle of the desert and died.
i only hope there would be someone there to help.
What you know is important in resolving problems, but who you know will always help you navigate to a solution.
