TheBanyanTree: Just So Tire'd

[Sharon Mack]

Pam's story makes me so glad I found a trustworthy mechanic.  I found him
(his name is Bob Plankey) in 1983 when I moved to the Berkshires.  He was
recommended to me by my Pastor.  He worked at a Mobile station where they
repaired cars AND sold gasoline.  I was dirt poor, running from my
soon-to-be-ex second husband (the father of my sons) who was abusive with 4
kids.  But this guy was the best.  He worked with me and my finances. And
best of all, he was the most honest person I have ever met.

In 1986 my first ex-husband, who is also my best friend and from whom I have
two daughters, bought me a 1983 Chevy Chevette.  My old Plymouth had drawn
its last breath and was no longer safe or worth fixing.  He gave me $500 and
said to have it checked out and get anything that needed fixing, fixed.  I
told one of my church buddies who told me about his "Christian" friend who
was just starting out in business and maybe I should give him a try. He'd
probably give me "Christian" rates since we all went to the same church.  It
kinda' put a guilt trip on me (I was much younger then and still a bit
stupid) so I did.  I dropped the car off in the morning, went to work, told
the guy I wanted a list first 'cause I only had so much money to spend (I
never told him the amount).  When I went back to the station, he had a list
alright.  A list totaling $486.  I looked at my friend who looked a bit
sheepish.  I assumed, and believe to this day, my friend had told his friend
how much money I had to spend.  I stuck the list in my purse, paid the man
for his time and said (for real), thanks, but no thanks!  I stomped out.  He
knew he'd been caught.  Sometimes that sixth sense comes in real handy.  It
had saved my ass years before at Sears when they tried to rip me off, and
also at a windshield replacement place, and had once again.  I have never
strayed again.

In 1990 or so they had closed the original station where Bob worked and made
it a mini-mart sort of thing that sold gas and so Bob transferred to another
Mobile station in Pittsfield, where I live, so I followed him there. I
immediately took the Chevette to him the next morning and told him that I
wanted the car to be looked at for anything wrong that needed to be fixed.
I did not mention the $500 or the list from the other guy that I still had
in my purse.  When I picked it up that afternoon after work, this is what he
said to me, "Sharon, I don't usually like Chevy's much but whoever had this
car took real good care of it.  It did need a belt but that's about it.  You
should get a few good years out of it.  You owe my $27.00."  

Later, in 1995, my father got ill.  I needed to go to Maryland with the
kids.  I always took the car to Bob before making a trip to Baltimore for a
look over before I went (fluids, gas and stuff).  When I picked it up he
told me that he didn't think I should drive it all the way to Maryland that
the brakes were really bad and it wouldn't be safe.  I started to cry.  I
couldn't help it.  We were so poor and I wanted to see my father so badly.
Bob patted my shoulder and said, "Leave the car here.  I'll take care of it,
don't worry.  You can pay me when you have it."  I shook my head because I
was so poor I wasn't sure when I would ever have the money.  He insisted and
the next day I left for Maryland in a safe vehicle.  I found out later that
because the station was owned by Mobile, he had to pay the bill himself.  I
did pay that bill, though it took me while, and I never forgot his kindness.
I sent a zillion people to him from the college where I work.  Every time
mechanics came up, I told them about Bob.

Five years ago, Bob was able to buy his own garage though he didn't own the
gas station part at first.  Now he owns the whole thing.  It is an Exxon
station and I still do business with him.  I now have a new car (every two
years) my children are grown and he has four more customers when they are
here.  Sometimes they make a trip on purpose to have him fix the car and
throw in a visit to their dear old Mom.  They wouldn't even think of going
to anyone else when they are in town.  EVERY co-worker is a Bob Plankey
customer and most of my friends.

He is truly a blessing and single Moms especially thank him for his honesty,
good work, and kindness.  He has mechanics working for him now and I notice
that they are schooled to be just like him.

God bless Bob Plankey.  I just wish there were more like him!





-----Original Message-----
From: thebanyantree-bounces at lists.remsset.com
[mailto:thebanyantree-bounces at lists.remsset.com] On Behalf Of Bill
Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 10:59 AM
To: Tree
Subject: Re: TheBanyanTree: Just So Tire'd

Sometimes, Pam, it is just better to pay a few dollars more and go to a 
local dealer for things you need for your car.

Still His Servant
Bro  Bill
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pam North" <pam.north at gmail.com>
To: "The Banyan Tree" <thebanyantree at remsset.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 8:11 AM
Subject: TheBanyanTree: Just So Tire'd


> It may be remembered that last August I drove to Hershey, Pennsylvania to
> watch my son compete in the Hershey Track and Field competition.  Although
> they flew him up there, he opted to ride back with me, and so, at the end 
> of
> the festivities, I arrived at his 'dorm' around ten o'clock at night to
> retrieve him and his stuff.  Unfortunately, in my attempt to park close to
> the curb (on the narrow drive), I hit a small protruding piece of concrete
> *just right*, and was saddened when I heard the air 'WHOOSH' out of my 
> right
> front tire.
>
> But!!  'I am woman hear me roar!', and I had no problem getting out in the
> dark, looking for my spare (oh!  it's *under* the Jimmy!), figuring out 
> how
> to get it DOWN (so *that*'s what that little hole is for by the license
> plate!), and changing the tire myself while I waited for my kid.  Which is
> how I came to be sitting on the ground at eleven at night, with the 
> Owner's
> Manual and a flashlight, reading the instructions on changing a tire!
>
> And though I *am* 'a woman, hear me roar!', I'm also a BRIGHT woman!!, and

> I
> had just an easy of a time getting out of the way for the nice gentleman 
> who
> wandered by and offered to finish up for me!!  Which is how I came to be
> driving south that night with an ugly spare (full-sized though!) on my 
> car.
>
> Once I got home, I decided that I needed a whole new set, and so I started

> a
> worldwide search for the best price on tires for my SUV.  I found a site
> with competitive prices, and I ordered four to be shipped to my house. 
> Once
> I received them, I loaded them up and took them to a local tire dealership
> to have them balanced and installed.
>
> Unfortunately, I didn't keep the receipt, or the mileage on installation.
>
> So when I came out of my house to go to work last Monday morning, I was
> chagrined, though not totally surprised, to find I had a flat on the front
> left tire.  Bummer!  When I had my oil changed last, the business that I'd
> been going to regularly, failed to mention that I had no water or 
> antifreeze
> in my radiator, or that the tires they supposedly were rotating really 
> also
> needed to be aligned!  (I don't do business with them anymore!)
>
> So, I realized it was necessary to find another set of tires.  I couldn't
> even remember how many miles I was *supposed* to get on this last set - 
> I'm
> finding that I'm learning a LOT of lessons the hard way recently!
>
> But I still know how to search the web, and so I found another set of
> tires!  I noted the mileage warranty, and I had them shipped directly to
> another tire business in town.  Because I wanted them YESTERDAY, I had 
> them
> shipped FedEx 2-Day delivery.  Note:  That means two *business* days, as 
> in,
> NO weekends, NO holidays, NO days of rest!!!!  I ordered them on a Friday,
> and they were *finally* delivered on the following Wednesday!
>
> Meanwhile, on that Monday in between, I called the tire place asking about
> them.  And found out that a young lady I know relatively well, and whom my
> daughter adores, works the counter there!  She assured me that she'd let 
> me
> know as soon as they were received.  And in case she forgot about me, I
> called her again the next day!  I had tracked my order online, and the 
> tires
> appeared to be within a twenty mile radius, and certain to be delivered
> shortly.
>
> Jenna told me that they hadn't received any tires yet - she'd call when 
> they
> did.
>
> And in less than half an hour, she called!  YIPPEE!!  She told me that
> they'd install them as soon as I could get my car there!!!  Which is how I
> came to be sitting in the waiting room, watching  my car up on the jack,
> bare metal showing where bald tires used to sit... and then. Nothing!
>
> Ummm... real bummer!  Turns out the tires they received...?? Well, they
> weren't exactly MINE!!!!!  Oops!!  Yes, Jenna had made a mistake, but God
> Bless her!!!, she did it in her enthusiasm to get me tires!!!  She knew I
> was waiting on tires, and when she saw some delivered, she *immediately*
> thought of me!!
>
> But of course meanwhile, there was my car, tireless, and on jacks.  And I
> just could NOT see putting the bald tires back on.  I suggested some kind 
> of
> financial deal where I could pay the difference for a set of their tires,
> and just have something installed so I could leave.  Jenna didn't know how
> to make that work in the computer though, so she ended up offering me her
> vehicle.  She had another at home, a convenient ride after work, and no
> desire to see the tires put back on either!
>
> Which is how I came to be driving a 'loaner' Suburban for a day!  Hey!  I
> didn't spend twenty years in the Marine Corps learning how to be flexible
> for nothin'!!
>
> Wednesday, my tires finally arrived!  I didn't have to do anything since 
> my
> vehicle was already there, though I did track the order again to find the
> delivery time.  Perfect!  They'd be done installing about  the time I got
> off of work!!  By *my* calculations!!
>
> So, imagine my chagrin - and utter surprise! - to arrive and see my car,
> still on jacks, still without tires!!  And I was just a tad disgruntled 
> when
> the owner came out and asked where my flat tire was!!!  (What!?!?!?!
> Worried he won't get some money back on the bald rubber or something?!?!
> Really!  For a couple of seconds, I just couldn't grasp why he would care
> about the *other* bald tire!!!)
>
> Oh.  See me blush with embarrassment!!
>
> Blond moment!!!!!!
>
> Guess that other tire *is* sort of important since it also houses the
> RIM!!!!!!!!!  Grrrrrrr!!!!!!!!
>
> Which is how I came to be driving away from the tire place AGAIN!, in
> Jenna's Suburban, with my car still on jacks!!!!!!!!
>
> I retrieved the other tire, and delivered it back.  I am now the proud 
> owner
> of four brand new INSTALLED tires!!!  And I have a receipt for the tires,
> AND the installation and ALIGNMENT with the mileage noted!!!!!
>
> Sometimes, I just HATE to do things the easy way!!
>
> Pam