In the short version of the story, I drove home to meet the Boy for lunch yesterday and smelled a very strong gasoline smell. Alarmed, I called the VW dealership and spoke to a service advisor who shared my alarm. So I arranged for a tow truck, and waited to be picked up and taken to the service center where I’d be given a loaner and sent on about my business.
Only, it got complicated. And thus the long version of the story has me walking back to where my car was parked in a stall in the dealership lot (in search of my insurance card – for the loaner), to find that the tow truck driver had scratched the hell out the passenger side. A representative from Tow Jam (totally not kidding) came out, spent many inarticulate phrases telling me that the truck driver could NOT have been responsible. The down-to-the-metal chunks out of the paint were…wait for it… door dings. And the series of scratches on the wheel well? They must have been there before.
“If the driver hit something,” he explained, “there would be many more scratches.”
“If there driver had not hit anything, there would be no scratches AT ALL.”
It went on like that for a while. He talked to me like I was an idiot. I calmly told him he was effing nuts. I even shared with him the heartwarming tale of sniffing around my car in search of the gas leak earlier that very afternoon, with my face within inches of the now scratched-to-hell door panels, seeing no evidence of the current and appalling ruination. He remained unmoved. So we both took pictures. His photo album will be a bit thinner than mine; he took pictures of only one door panel because, if he gathered evidence of the whole show, no one would buy his story.
Then, when I was about ready to fall apart if I did not go home – where no one could break any more promises or talk to me like I was the intellectual equivalent of a box of hair – right that very second, it was revealed that there wasn’t actually a loaner car to be had. And the rental car that would have taken its place was given away while I was trading witticisms with Mr. Tow Jam. They’d have one in oh, maybe an hour or so, if I wanted to go wait at the Enterprise office. Near to tears, I texted the Dork Lord, Please come get me. He arrived twenty minutes later – pissed.
“Calm down,” I said, patting his arm as his head spun round in circles looking for someone to kill.
“No. They aren’t treating you how you deserve to be treated.”
He stalked off toward the Service Center and I put on a solemn face. But it was really hard not to smile. Even with all that overdone hype about white horses, spell-breaking kisses and climbs up long braids of hair to the tops of very high towers, being rescued is still totally underrated.
Even when being rescued means driving off into the sunset in a rented Chevy Cobalt.
Wait- you forgot to add, “My boyfriend is better than your boyfriend!”
Oh I just love how he loves you!!
Awesome!
Sorry to hear of your vehicle woes…. I brought my truck in to have it’s oil changed and tires rotated. Had the guy who had always taken care of the truck when it belonged to my cousin, so I knew he’d take care of me and that I could trust him and I do. However, my simple Saturday morning errand turned into an $1800 job, including new parts, pieces and bits….. ugh.
I completely understand what you were feeling… about how that Tow Jam idiot spoke to you…. It’s beyond frustrating and I’ve left many a car shops thanking God profusely for me NOT owning a gun. (Yes, they bring me to that point.)
How lucky for you to have such a rescuer!!
Good luck with this issues….be firm, stay focused and persistent… MAKE THEM FIX THE DAMAGE THEY CAUSED.
Sorry about all the car trouble, but that is sweet that he came and “rescued” you!
Now, I’m a lawyer, and I had a case almost exactly like what your situation sounds like where someone sued a towing company for doing damage to their car. If I may, I’d recommend finding out who the Tow Jam’s insurance company is and making a claim against them. Or let your insurance company know and let them handle it. Very smart taking pictures. You may end up having to file in small claims court (or regular court, depending on what they have where you live and the value of the claim) but good luck! Let me know if you have any questions…..
You know, there’s something to be said for women being able to stand up for themselves, which it sounds like you did. But there is nothing quite so wonderful as having someone — your mom, your boyfriend, your best friend — storm in and stand up FOR you. You’re one lucky woman!
That was my single tear short circuiting your blog entry. Sorry.
Good for you, and good for the Dork Lord!! Cuz you’re right: there is a lot to be said for being rescued.
Also, who did the last maintenance/when was the last time someone other than you looked at the car? Because that person could be a good witness!!
Let us know what happens!!
Your boyfriend is totally better than my boyfriend!
Okay I don’t actually have a real live boyfriend but your real live boyfriend is better than my hypothetical one
He made my heart go pitty-pat.
What a good boy!
I’m about as modern a woman as it gets. That said, sometimes — particularly in the automotive world — the only thing that works with those jackholes is a person-with-a-penis. Good get ‘em, Dork Lord! And I really hope you get a successful resolution with Tow Jam. Too bad such a likeably named company has such poor customer service.
((Mrs. Greg House))
lol
Tow companys are notoriously (ok well every time I have dealt with one) scammy. Glad you stood your ground.
And sorry about your car! I hope the Dork Lord took some people down. LOL!
How ’bout this one. Pigeon Tow or Flat-bread truck. Could go on and on (flat-on-your-back, flat-line, etc.) It’s vat the people vant. When you were in NY – did you ever have your rear-end fall off on the rust-Belt Parkway? Happened to me. Then the vulture parkway towers came circling. Opted to shave some of the rear tires (lovely smell) with the rubbing rear axle/suspension to get off at the next exit.
Fish, I like you and you write beautifully. But I don’t think a blog in which every entry is about how wonderful a boyfriend is should be named after the Irina Dunn quote. It’s misleading and unfair for those seeking comfort and shared experiences of singlehood.
Your life has changed and it’s a blessing. Your blog – which is about your life – is changing accordingly. Your audience will change too. And it’s all good.
For the sake of my own sanity and before I DO get bitter, I’m out of here.
I appreciate the sentiment, but… is that the only reason you read this blog? As a support group?
I mean, do you only watch movies about single people and read books about people who are not in love? This blog has always been about the shared experience of life. Love, family, work, snark. Whatever. The title, if that’s what upsets you so much, is about a woman’s independence – and my tag line, which you’ll see right there, balances with a little reality. I need a bicycle – the one I have. And the title that iVillage gave me, well, that’s a label I never imposed on myself.
Look, read or don’t. But let’s not pretend this blog was ever about any one specific thing. Like today, it’s about getting shafted at the car dealership.
Here here Fish!
“This blog has always been about the shared experience of life. Love, family, work, snark. Whatever.”
As a “try-to-be-not bitter” single person, I LOVE reading your blog whatever your own personal relationship state precisely because of the variety in your writing (be it sweet or snappy or snarky), and your many varied subjects.
Keep doing what you do best! Need I say it again, I love your writing, especially when you bring insight and humor to the most ordinary daily activities (automotive or otherwise). Since I can’t do (I write well professionally, just not personally/creatively – I’ll leave that up to you.), I admire.
That stinks about your car. You go get that tow company…they should be paying to repaint your car.
And yes sometimes even we women who can do it all still need to be rescued. And it warms my heart that there are still knights on white horses…or at least in cars at dealerships.
I agree with ohwell321. Give the people what they want – fewer posts about your awesome boyfriend and more posts about your awesome sister! If you need some story ideas, I’ve got lots. There are even some with you in them!
Jillian has the right idea. “My boyfriend is better than your boyfriend!” would be a thought-provoking thing to say to the tow truck driver.
Seriously, I do hope the situation with your car got resolved. Did you call your insurance company? Even the police (since what the tow truck driver is in a way hit and run)? You might want to check out some VW-related websites to see what they say about the stealerships in your area. And if the car is beyond warranty, there is no reason to go back to these guys, but find a good independent shop who will work cheaper. (People on these VW-oriented web pages can tell you that, too).
Better still, can’t you get the Dork Lord to become a car mechanic? All you need are a few good torque wrenches, sockets, and a Haynes manual, right?
If you really want to avoid having that smell of gasoline coming from your VW, it’s pretty simple: Buy a DIESEL, of course. LOL
You know as someone who’s always dated mechanically retarded boyfriends, I had to learn to deal with morons in the auto world for years, sometimes even for my boyfriends cars! like my girlfriends would call me to go to the dealerships with them, because i’m pretty good.
that being said, when my current boyfriend was working at a tire/lube shop last year and was not only able to tell me what my car needed done, but to take it in and do it for me? *swoon to the moon*
As a male reader, I really enjoy reading your blog. Keep it up. By the way, I think I love the Dork Lord. Good man. I apprecaite him giving us a good name.
Ugh. I’ve been having a similar battle with bank of America for weeks now. Gotta love it when they blame the customer for their mistakes! Sorry you had to go through that, and glad you had an ally!
It always makes me laugh when readers announce their departure. Walking off in a huff just doesn’t have the same effect on the Internet, does it?
Fish, Keep on posting about how wonderful your boyfriend is. He rocks! Of course, he won’t be perfect all the time, no one is, but I get a warm feeling knowing that you have met someone who is really good to you.
I hate car drama. Any day a boy will rescue me from it is a good day…
Am I the only one who just can’t quite understand being angry with another human being for being in a happy relationship? I have been jealous, but never mad at someone else’s happiness. Really, I just don’t get it.
Take Tow Jam to small claims. My car was towed once (from an unmarked towing zone!)and the lights they put on the hood, then pulled off, dug right into the paint leaving 3 symmetrical scratches that went from where they were placed to the outer side of the hood. This was a brand new car, 3 weeks old, and the tow truck company would not cooperate. Don’t stand for their shenanigans, get a quote, and take em to court. Good luck!
In other fun news, I was kicked out of Ross yesterday for having a closed bottle of diet coke in my hand. And the kicker? The manager kicking me out? Was holding a soda cup with a straw and drinking out of it!!! Preaching to me about their no drinking in the store! The balls! Letters have been sent out.
Awwww….I hate crappy service (and REALLY hate people who scratch your car then lie about it), but I love some chivalry!!!
I think I love your boyfriend more than you do! Could you have him give my boyfriend lessons on how to be sympathetic and knight in shining armor-ish? Not that my boyfriend isn’t those things…on occasion.
I’ll take the dork lord when you’re done with him! LOL!
Where’s the “like” button
I mean not about the car and you getting shafted, but all the rest. So happy you’ve found your knight!!! I’ve been a reader for years, and unlike the bitter mcbittertons up there ^ I’ve truly enjoyed reading about your happiness in the love department as of late. I say those that don’t like it should find something else to read or quittheirbitchin. I don’t quite understand why people think that you should write about anything other than the things going on in your life that *you* want to share. Thanks for sharing
jessie – ditto on bank of america! my boy is *pissed* & ready to raise hell with them. it does feel nice to have someone to help fight the fight!
Now that you turned your boyfriend into a hero, you must allow him to at least write an entry on your blog; maybe with his version of the story?
OMG! Don’t even get me started on Bank of America or Sirius Radio for that matter. You are all not alone!
Ok, while that whole story sucks bum and I would have kicked Mr. Toe Jam in the, well, you know…..
….your boyfriend is too cute! You’re very lucky
Fish, I love hearing your stories. I love hearing how great the boyfriend is, you deserve the best. Keep on posting whatever you want! Sorry to hear about your car. Being in the insurance business my advice is to let the carriers duke it out! The two companies I hate dealing with most when it comes to claims are Tow Truck Drivers and Rental Car Companies…Good luck to you!!
See, your boyfriend IS better then my boyfriend