My day in bizarro world

So the other day I had to take my car in for service. Called up the dealership and spoke with a very pleasant person who offered me many convenient options for working out the time. No comment at all about my “difficult” or “unusual” name. I dropped off the car after hours. The next day I got a call from a nice service guy (a different one) when the car was ready and I went to pick it up.

Since I arrived after the service bay had closed, I went into the sales section to pick up my keys. Standing by the receptionist’s desk were two salespeople. When I walked in, all three of them greeted me and one of the sales guys asked how he could help me.

I nearly looked in back of me to see who they were speaking to.

Because generally I have less-than-positive experiences when I go to sales venues. Especially car dealerships.

I generally have done my research before I go in, so I just want to negotiate price and leave with a car. That’s difficult to do when nobody will ever talk with you. At one place, I walked around for half an hour before approaching the receptionist’s desk. There were no other potential customers on the floor. I went to the receptionist and said that I needed assistance purchasing a car, and she said she would call someone. I waited an additional half hour before leaving.

At another dealership, four white salesmen nudged the one brown salesman towards me. Again, no customers on the floor except me. The brown salesman (oh brother! how could you?) did not approach either.

I went to a couple of dealerships with a white friend, and white salesmen were on him like flies. My friend said, “Don’t talk to ME. I’m not the one buying the car.” But they persisted. One actually followed my friend out to the car (which was parked a block away on a city street), trying to sell him the whole way.

Going to dealerships is generally extremely frustrating. I ended up buying a car over the telephone from a guy who came recommended by an acquaintance. And the recommendation was well worth it–the guy was very pleasant and helpful over the telephone. If he was surprised to see me in person, it did not show on his face.

Back to the dealership story.

So anyway, when I explained that I was just there to pick up my car keys, the receptionist apologized that she did not have them. Immediately one of the salesmen offered to go to the service department and pick them up. He came back and gave me the keys. I paid my bill, which was lower than the amount quoted on the telephone.

When I looked at the bill, I noticed that it was marked “coupon applied” and had a discount under the subtotal. I did not have a coupon.

I joked with my mom that I was going to have to scope out the dealership and see if one of the people in the service department had a furrin name like mine.

That’s the end of the story of my day in bizarro world. Thanks for reading along.