Retail Success -- Some Observations -- Nothing About The Bakken -- Anecdotal -- For The Archives -- October 26, 2024

Locator: 48661RETAIL.

One of the themes that will take on even more importance in 2025 and the out-years:

Exhibit A, anecdote:

Yesterday I was out of town, traveling, and my wife was home alone. Even her daughter and son-in-law who would have been invaluable helping her yesterday, were also out of town. My wife called about 6:00 p.m. CDT to say that her very old and incredibly trustworthy, incredibly reliable, exquisitely maintained 2007 Chrysler Town and Country had "died." She had spent the day with a friend and on the way home stopped at Belks to pick something. When she came out, the van would not start. Dead. Really dead.

Belk is across the street -- literally from where we live, with a wonderful coffee shop next door. May elected to stay with the car rather than walk home or go for coffee. 

After calling me, my wife called "Triple-A" who were there in about 45 minutes. Battery was so dead not even able to be jump-started. Triple-A towed the car to an Auto Zone 1.7 miles away. They replaced her battery and she was on her way.

While waiting for Triple-A she called "our" local Chrylser dealer / service center. They said they would not see her -- they no longer service cars from before 2014. Some exceptions for long-term loyal / regular customers. 

Triple-A outperformed Chrysler and all it cost was the cost of a new battery.

We've been members of Triple-A since we returned to the states in 1994. We have maintained our membership ever since; we last called Triple-A in 2005 or thereabouts. I could find the exact date if I wanted; it was on a trip taking our younger daughter back to college. I digress.

If Chrysler had agreed to check out the car, they would have put the car in their garage -- it was no about 6:45 p.m. and they would have gotten to it this morning, charging us for the diagnostic check ($150?) and then for a new battery and installation. 

Meanwhile, Triple-A and Auto Zone installed the battery -- I assume at no cost except as included in the price of the battery, but I don't know. May was sold a high-end battery that will outlast the car, LOL, but I have no complaints. 

As far as Chrysler goes .... not even willing to help a woman in distress .... not impressed.

 I was never going to part ways with Triple-A anyway, but now ...

Auto Zone -- I doubt I will ever need them again - knock on wood -- but they've gained another loyal customer if necessary and I will share my story with whomever will listen ...

Our local Chrysler dealer / service center not willing to work on cars before the 2014 model year suggest:

• they are overwhelmed with service requests
• exacerbated by labor shortage
• our Firestone service center is unable to do "engine light -- sensor" checks because their one individual certified to provide that service is convalescing from back pain and had been out since August, 2024; he returns to work in January, 2025
• parts generally not available for emission systems in models before 2014

No complaints. Just observations. 

So much more could be said, but time to read some more of John Keay's India: A History and squeeze in a Duolingo Spanish lesson.