Let me start this by saying that my 22 year old daughter, Heather.... well, actually my step-daughter, but I'm the only dad she's ever known, is a Staff Sargeant in the Air Force stationed in Montgomery, Alabama. She's single and probably weighs around 100 pounds. Maybe 110 if she's soaking wet. Here's what happened last night. She took her Chevy 2500 diesel to Autozone to buy a new fuel filter/filters. She wasn't clear on that but I assume she bought both. They got her the correct fuel filter, she paid for it and she asked if they knew how to install it. She's does her best to be a do-it-yourself type but she has almost no mechanical aptitude. Anyway, one of the guys went out to her truck, showed her how to install it which she did right there in the lot. When she was finished, the truck wouldn't start. Naturally. She didn't know it had to be primed. So, back in she goes and the guy came out and told her to keep cranking it and it should prime, which is technically correct if you have batteries that are in good shape and are fully charged. He obviously didn't know about the manual primer pump and the air bleed screw. Anyway, her batteries finally go dead and she's stranded. A little while later it's closing time and the guys come out, lock the door and ask if everything is okay. She tells them that she's having trouble finding a ride and if she can't find one then she guessed she'd have to walk. The guys promply respond "Okay", get in their cars and leave her there alone. My wife is really peeved and since the Autozone headquarters is about five minutes from where we work she's wanting to go there in person to complain about them not being knowledgeable and, most importantly, leaving a young woman stranded alone in Montgomery, Alabama. My take on it is this: 1. Autozone isn't a mechanic's shop. It's a parts store, and just because someone works there doesn't mean that they know everything. 2. She shouldn't have started a project like that in a parking lot so far from home. 3. She had a cell phone and an ATM card for her account. There were other businesses right there that were still open and I'm pretty sure that Montgomery does have taxicabs. 4. Other than the fact that the guys didn't offer to give her a ride I really can't find any fault with anything they did. What do you think? Don't worry, I'm not looking for guidance or council. Just an opinion.
I agree with you LC. It is just a parts store. The only thing the employee did wrong was not offer her a ride, which is more rude than anything else.
I get what your wife is saying but she's wrong. The guys at store have no obligation to offer a ride. Would it have been a nice gesture? sure. But that's it. On a side note. I would have offered her a ride. The entire way to her house I would have lectured her about all of the things you posted in the OP.
I see it as professional and safe for the guys not to offer the woman a ride (given the acquisational type world we live in)...but it depends on location as I probably would have but all depends (they weren't obligated to) but they should have minimum offered to assist her as being courteous or waited till she had a ride if one could be reached. I'd inform them but wouldn't act as if they'd done something wrong just perhaps not the most courteous service, something I'd hope the execs strive for.
Advise her that for future reference, almost every single Air Force base has a hobby shop where people can work on their vehicles right on base. Most of the people using this facility are knowledgeable about autos.
I probably wouldn't have offered a ride, just because you never know what position you could get yourself into when you take her home. Jealous bf, husband, etc. I would have let her use the phone and tried to get the truck running, but no go on the ride.
Although it would be curtious to give her a ride I cant say I would have giving the world we live in. If that autozone is anything like the one in my town the people are complete idiots, not very much help with anything they know how to work a cash register and thats pushing it. It doesnt seem like they did anything wrong for a complaint to be filed.
I can't seem that they did anything wrong, in fact they went out of their way in assisting her in the installation. That is not a service they offer, but they were helpful, and lets be honest if they were mechanics they would probably be making a lot more money working as a mechanic. I'm not familiar w. Diesels, but couldn't they have charger her battery for her? I'm pretty sure that is a service they offer and if they didn't do that than they should have. As for them offering a ride, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want my 22 year old daughter taking a ride from a stranger anyway. I'm sure everything would have been fine, but you just never know when something crazy is going to happen.
I am assuming that your daughter trusted the person that came out to her vehicle with her to show her how to install the part, as I would if he made it a point to walk out with her to show her. I would then trust that he would know what he is doing. Like you and others have said, I doubt it will go anywhere, but I would for sure say something. They may have not done anything wrong, but at the same time, where was their customer service??? If they were my employess, I would have a few words for them.
Exactly. The right thing for them to do, would be to get her a cab, wait until her ride showed up, etc... But I don't think there is anything to file a complaint about.
seems to me your points are a pretty reasonable evaluation of the events. my wife weighs 90lbs and there's no way in hell I'd want her to accept a ride from any stranger, much less any of the mostly tatted-up thugs who work at the parts stores around here. She used to do home health care and even that got too skeezy. She started having issues w/ a lot of the male patients, even the old guys. Or even male family members who were home when she would go to treat "grand mama." You just never know. That being said, if the guy didn't know what he was talking about he shouldn't have offered the advice/assistance. In all likelihood he may have caused damage to the pumps, or the starter, or killed the battery. Not offering further assistance after it was obvious they caused additional issues was likely a way to distance themselves from liability. If there turns out to be additional damage; you (more accurately she) would have nothing to lose by making a complaint. Otherwise, I doubt anything you say would do anything other than maybe make a new company policy "under no circumstances are employees to provide assistance/advice to customers due to liability concerns" which would be a shame because I have actually had some decent luck talking to AZ employees when it comes to diagnostic issues.
I would say she should have waited to do it at home or at the auto craft center on base but the guys at Auto Zone shouldn't have just left her there stranded, they could have helped her get a cab or charged the battery. Hard one to judge there, want me to drive up and slap some people around? I'm right down the road at Ft Rucker! LOL
Its a chain parts store, I dont think its there job to call her a cab or take here home. Proffesionally they did nothing wrong, theyre guilty of being rude people at most. Im sure she had a cellphone as everyone does in this day and age.
I would have not left a single female stranded at my place of work. If something would have happened to her I would not be able to forgive myself. That being said, the guys didn't do anything "wrong", other than act insensitive to the situation. However, if your wife wants to call and give them an earful have at it. Or if she feels the need to sit down with a manager and calmly explain the entire debacle, I believe she would be justified.
Did she ask for a ride? It would be nice to offer a ride but risky for guy doing it. If you complain, the guy will probably get fired for trying to be nice if inept. The other guys will think twice before helping again and he won't get fired for not giving a ride but for helping. If he did give her a ride and they found out, he would probably get fired too. If you can go to war, you can get yourself home. Oh and just be glad she's OK.
I would not have given her a ride, but I would have stayed there with her until she got a ride home. That should have been how that played out.
I think ure on point dude....except the ride and the complaint...its a crazy world and as said I would not want my daughter riding with some stranger...they shouldve waited with her if anything but still whats to complain about....maybe they had families or loved ones to get home to and as you said shes more than capable of calling a cab Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
