Service and: "Honey, I shrunk the..."

We had a service appointment for Big Red first thing this morning in the big city (Brownsville), a 40 minute drive.  Not a big deal for most folks, but getting service done around here is not as simple as: make an appointment and show up.  One must understand the culture of "Mexico Lite" and the difference in work ethic and pride in workmanship and integrity.  Getting service done around here has been a many-year on-going search to find someone who isn't out to completely take advantage.  We have been through 3 GMC dealers (in different cities in the area), trying to find one who will do what they say they're going to do, and on the schedule they say they will do it.

Last week, we stopped at the newest GMC dealer in Brownsville.  A very pleasant female service writer brought out a mechanic to see and listen to our truck.  We made an appointment... hopeful.  This morning, the service experience went... pretty much like it should.  We were early (the first in line), were greeted with a smile and a work order by our service writer, and they promptly took the truck away.  Shortly, we saw the mechanic take it out for a more thorough test drive.  Back in the shop, the service writer took me out to a service bay, the mechanic explained (and showed me) what needed to be fixed.  They had the parts (one in a row!).

The service waiting room was clean and pleasant: fresh coffee, a fridge full of cold bottled water, comfortable chairs, a good-size flat screen TV, and the best part: a young lady came around with fresh baked cookies.  People in the waiting room were mostly smiling.  Clean restrooms.  The repair took about as long as they predicted; the price was only a bit higher than what we thought.  The mechanic gave the truck a thorough test drive, then brought the truck back to be washed and vacuumed out... while I paid the bill.  The service writer thanked us.  And the really best part: the service/repair took care of the problem.  Really, that's what we expect up north... it hasn't been our experience down here in the past.  They didn't leave us stranded by disabling our vehicle ("Oh, I thought we had that part in stock...").  I think we have a new "relationship" with Fruia Motors, and glad to see them handling GMC.  My wallet is lighter, but Big Red is a happy truck!

Now, that "shrunk" stuff... as in: "Honey, I shrunk the guitar."  No, not really.  I have been getting e-mails from Guitar Center - it seems that they really think I should add a ukulele to the guitar room.  Joan thought so, too.  I have never even held a ukulele.  But, they do sound "interesting" on some songs... and, you can't beat the portability.  I took a baby step and brought one home...

Yes, little Izzy seemed to enjoy it, too.  It is little-bitty... and not the smallest model, it's a concert model.  No, it won't be taking the place of any of the guitars...

It turned out to be a pretty decent day.  Even Mother Nature got in on the good stuff: the norther is still keeping things cold (it was 43º when we left this morning), but we had sunshine most of the day!  Never thought I'd be happy to see it get up to 57º.  That's OK - turn up the heat, it feels kinda tropical plunking away on the ukulele! ;-)