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| OK Tire in Chilliwack, BC Image via Google Maps |
I’m sure I’m not alone in this. A couple of days ago a “check engine” light appeared on the car dashboard. It was so sudden. It was a definite eeek! moment.
Not fair! Was my first thought. But as we all know, that thought appears with regularity from the time we’re about four years of age. So true. As we go on with life it becomes part of it. Only when you’re grown up, you forget about the tantrums. It’s just all in your head.
Life just isn’t always fair. And it seems worst of all when you’re dealing with sudden automobile bad behavior,
We are a single-car family. Our car, an aging but loyal Prius has served us well. This year, after 14 trouble-free Christmases, it made no bones about the fact that its hybrid battery needed to be changed. That is a terrifying moment for most hybrid vehicle owners. Translate it as money, money, money.
We took it into our local OK Tire shop, and dropped it off. Some excellent service hours later, it emerged with a new, hybrid battery. Everything was good. Even the car seemed to have a certain radiance about it.
Until two days ago, when that horrible little gold engine symbol on the dash appeared.
Well, it demanded a check, so we obediently took it straight to OK again.
This time I had an appointment starting at 8.15 a.m., when the business opens. I got there early. After all, I’m a morning person.
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| OK Tire shop, Chilliwack, BC |
Image via VickiW
The set-up
Just before 8 a.m. the staff started arriving for the day. One of the first was their super-efficient front desk woman. She put out the OPEN sign. Seemed like there were many little details that she took care of, before settling into her place behind a computer at the front desk.I watched the rest of the staff arrive. It was obvious that cars and big boys toys are their passion. Eight arrived, one by one, skilfully and without hesitation backing into space, or turning in confidently at the side of the operation. For the most part they seemed relatively young. It was interesting to see the variety in eight cars.
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| OK Tire shop, Chilliwack, BC |
Image via VickiW
A lively bunch!
Those workers walked with a spring in their jean-clad steps. You could see they were looking forward to what could be a challenging day for them. Some of them carried take out coffee cups and something for lunch. They smiled at each other. They chatted.
As a customer, I found myself in a lovely little corner behind a private screen. There were comfy chairs, books, a TV and two coffee machines, with everything you might need for a special cup.
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| OK Tire shop, Chilliwack, BC |
Image via VickiW
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| OK Tire shop, Chilliwack, BC Image via VickiW |
The little, social centre encourages chit-chat between the customers. All too soon, Samantha, the front desk person poked her head around to give me the news that the Prius spark plugs needed replacing. Their expert scan was completed to their satisfaction. Those plugs were in bad shape!
It’s a great thing to see a business that has focus on its work and workers. How the owners encourage a positive outlook each day. But this experience made me realize how important community and customers are in the whole scheme of things.
I’d like to add to that crowded noticeboard. But there’s no room on it at present. We need another board to add our praises. Somehow cards are often more valuable than online reviews.
Thank you, OK TIRE!
Weeping Japanese Maple
Its beautiful, feathery leaves, are all falling now.
The maple should be pruned very lightly, just for shape, and definitely before the sap starts to run in spring.
Image via VickiW
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