I hear David Bowie’s Modern Love (Modern Love) buzzing in the background. The rush to make it anywhere on time is at a fever pitch these days it seems and the holiday season is just around the corner. Are you racing to get somewhere, to get something, meet a deadline? How fast can you go? Is this just a function of parenting in the fast lane or is there greater evil in the midst. Multitasking is an art, and we’re not always artists.

Coffee cup stays full and warm for most of the morning. Making sure the kids are on track with the morning routine, which they have done for close to a decade now. They seem to have it figured out some of the time while other times they wait to get some “verbal assistance” with clock management (I’m still not sure they brushed their teeth today). This tight level of management is meant to help them be better in the long run but is taxing in the moment. The margin for error of an accident (spilled coffee, tantrum, can’t find the keys) is very slim when pinned against the clock. And the two year old, she’s needs to get to daycare before the kids get dropped off for school, lunches packed, another cup of coffee, did I fill the car up with gas?

How about the service counters? Either at a restaurant drive through or any ordinary every day transaction – be ready. Higher level service businesses realize the pressure put on us to get to the finish each day so they will more than likely help make you feel at ease. However, if you’re not being catered to on this front be ready for the hurry up and wait routine at the drive through, get your payment ready to keep the line moving behind you (don’t be that person), exchange the pleasantry’s, and be off with yourself.

So, when we see you fly in at the last minute for your lesson know you’re in good company, we get it.

My wife needed her oil changed the other day so I switched vehicles with her.  There were a few other items needing attention on her vehicle so I skipped the quick lube options and went to the dealership.  I would have preferred the quick and inexpensive route but an ounce of prevention = a pound of cure phrase was in my mind (as well as happy wife = happy life ).

Bringing the car into the dealership has become an unpleasant experience.  Don’t get me wrong, I realize I have options and can bring my car anywhere but I choose to bring it to them because in spite of the irritations they are very good and thorough.  My wife and I, like many others, rely heavily on our vehicles for the success of our daily obligations.  That said, I think service departments have figured this out.  For example a news report stated something to the effect that 20 years ago an average fender bender cost around $80 to fix and is now around $700.

So, I called the dealership and explained what I needed.  They said “come on in!”  I mentioned I didn’t want to get caught up in spending hours waiting and they said “we don’t have a line and we’ll get you in, come on in!”

I understand their sense of urgency from a business perspective: getting the customer in generates business.  And, I’m sure they have reams of statistics/data supporting an average amount to expect from callers like me and subsequent commissions for those who take the calls.  So, knowing this, knowing it will cost some uncertain amount, and probably take more time, I commit to coming in and getting my task taken care of.

By the topic of this article you already know the direction this is going.  It ended up costing more and taking a lot more time.  Three separate up-sell times: 1) when I handed them the keys, 2) at a 45 minute later consult, and 3) a “discovery” once it was up in the air on the lift.  I tried to protect myself by asking the right questions ahead of time but still ended up getting reeled in.  The problem I have is they have you trapped!  They have your car and it needs stuff done.  They told me it needed other things and there is this do-hicky and some other things that if you don’t do will put you at risk!!  Look, my cars are 2 years old; I bought them from this dealership.  Don’t try to refurbish it every time I bring it in.  It is going to naturally have wear and tear but won’t need to be completely refurbished at every oil change.  I get it that cars cost money and require maintenance, it is a fact.  I’m irritated by constantly being dinged by costs that I have to determine if they are necessity items when I’m not a mechanic.  It is one of the reasons why we have extended warranty’s – which I thought covered everything when we purchased them (or at least was assisted in thought of believing it was) but there is a deductable and a few other items, I’m finding…

Why am I sharing this with you?  In the hopes you don’t ever feel like you are pressured and we’re going to ring up the bill on you.  For the record: our staff isn’t on commission.  They have quality score incentives based 80% on your experience and 20% from the management group. We will try to reel you in but our price isn’t a mystery and your lesson time is defined. Come on in and enjoy your time, we’ll work to make sure you do.

Michael K. asks: Is this the new product line you are trying?  If so, 1) why and 2) how is it doing?

Sarah:

Yes.  The new line is TRISWIM.  We wanted to add an adult line of body products in addition to the kids line we carry (Circle of Friends).  I had tried it many months ago and really liked it and then Susan got a sample of the whole line from the Hubbards.  So, I again tried the sample pack which included Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash and Lotion during my twice a week swims and I really liked all of them.  I have tried many different body care products that are supposed to remove the smell of the pool and this is honestly the only one I have found that truly does that.  I also color my hair and this product has not affected my highlights at all.  This is a great product for any adult swimmerJ 

We got our first order of TRISWIM in mid August and we have sold 75% of that total order already and have already had to place a second order to fill in the empty spots at the sites!  The shampoo and conditioner are selling better than the body wash and lotion; but it is my hope that with the small 4 pack sample size of each bottle that people will try that and realize how much they like all 4 products! 

Hope that answers your questions!  ThanksJ