It’s been said over and over again that the true test of one’s tolerance is judged on how one behaves when facing adversity. I’m here to share my score—FAIL.
I hate it when things don’t work. We’re huge maintenance people and take really good care of our stuff so I totally feel like my anger is justified in most cases.
For instance, Ruby the Rogue. Apparently the Nissan production facility dropped the ball when assembling the front doors of my vehicle.
These doors do not like cold weather, which was not revealed in the Carfax report I diligently insisted on reviewing when purchasing Ruby.
So what could possibly be so bad? Well, the doors lock themselves from the inside and OUTSIDE when it gets chilly, therefore pinning the occupant inside, unless your agility allows you to climb into the back seat to exit your car.
Needless to say I thought it was just MY vehicle, which I had to bring to our local body shop three years in a row for repair.
Then, lo and behold, here comes the recall notice.
Ha! Not just me, not my fault. Just schedule an appointment with the dealer and fix ‘er up.
Breath of fresh air, yay for Nissan admitting there’s a defect, off to the city for the two hour repair, NO CHARGE FOR PARTS OR LABOR!!! Yippee for honesty and integrity Nissan!
Um….no. Apparently the damage to my particular driver’s door was just too extensive to be a simple fix, and one hour after dropping Ruby off I was happily browsing through Macy’s when the call a’cometh.
Service writer: “Bad news… we just can’t open your door.”
Me: “Soooo, what do you suggest?”
Service writer: “Well, we’re going to have to take the entire thing apart and possibly order a new lock assembly…..”
Me: “Well let’s get ‘er done then, how much longer?”
Service writer: “We’re going to have to order the part, and so far the cost is……”
Me: “Whoaaaa there buddy, what part of RECALL aren’t you getting here? In my hand is your notice which clearly states FREE repair!”
Service Writer: “Sorry, that only pertains to the seal….blah blah blah….”
Me: “So what you’re telling me is that the defect is only covered if the defect doesn’t occur?”
Oh dear. The oh-so-ugly face of adversity looming, taunting, poking the tiger. Hey Nissan Home Office, here I come.
And yeah, they basically repeat the same deal. I have to pay for the repair but they will “try to assist” if I care to fill out a mountain of paperwork after, of course, I pay at the window.
As of this writing Ruby is still not home. She’s been gone for almost an entire week now. Apparently—now get this—the lock assembly parts just cannot be located… anywhere.
Now let me toss this out there, just for fun. Can this possibly be related to the fact that tons of doors are defective, and this just might be the reason we can’t find these parts?
Hmmmph. Day six, and they simply do not call with updates. Ruby doesn’t live here anymore. She’s stuck with a lame door in a strange garage probably getting date raped by the other Rogues.
No end in sight and this is now beyond frustrating, especially since she’s no doubt incurring storage charges or some other ridiculous overnight fees.
Dear Nissan: It’s January. In the North Country. Lots of folks are prone to sadness, melancholy, severe vitamin D deficiency.
Not a good time to mess with us, and personally, my definition of depression is merely anger without enthusiasm—an affliction I don’t see myself suffering from in the near future.
Hang on Ruby, Mommy’s coming to get you, but we might have to unload one of Daddy’s toys in order to pay the big guys.
Here’s my promise: Everyone deserves a free lunch at least once in a lifetime.
Therefore, Lucky Dogs will be providing free lunch to one individual per week, each and every week of operation this summer.
We little guys need to set an example, and it starts right here in Woodgate.
Take that big fat liars—shame on you all.
Let this be a lesson to you that the face of adversity CAN produce a smile once in a while!