While waiting for the final two hours of work to be over, the phone rang. This is a normal occurance at my job so I answered as it gave me something to do on a slow night. A girl on the other end asked about getting her tail lights changed. I told her if she came down quickly we should be able to get it done, but that my installer was getting off at seven.
Now, at this point I had a couple guys come in to get a tire repaired and a lady come by to get a battery installed. The installer got to work on these new jobs and he also had an oil change from earlier to start.
At 6:55 a young lady comes in telling me that she needs her brake lights replaced. I tell her that it’s not gonna happen, it’s too late.
Her: “But, I called and you said if i came in by seven it would be done.”
Me: “I said my installer was getting off work at seven and it’s six-fifty-five. He still has a 45min oil change to do.”
Her: “Well, I THINK that this is something of an emergency because my last brake light has gone out and I’ve almost been rear-ended three times. I think he can take a few minutes to do this for me.”
Me: “Well, I’m sorry that all your lights are out but I never thought you’d wait until seven to bring the car here.”
Her: “Don’t you know that I can get a ticket for not having any brake lights?”
Me: “I’m well aware of the law regarding vehicular lighting, but there’s nothing I’m going to be able to do for you tonight.”
Her: “Well, why did you tell me I could get it done tonight?”
Me: “Like I told you, I didn’t think you would wait this late to come in. I told you what time he was getting off. We do sell bulbs and tools if you want to replace them yourself.”
With this, she gave me a dirty look and trotted off in the direction of the door.
Now, I don’t know what kind of car she was driving (nor do I care), but I can tell you that in the six years that I have working around cars, it is rare that all of your brake lights go out at one time. It’s almost unheard of. It’s more likely that you will have two brake lights go out at one time and even that is not common.
We’re all aware that vehicles manufactured after the mid-eighties have to have a high mount brake light. That’s three lights people. If one goes out, just replace it. Maybe if you cared enough to check your lights once a month you wouldn’t have three lights out at one time. Waiting until all your lights are out and you’re risking injury to your car or yourself just shows the world that you don’t give a crap. That’s why if someone rear ends you because you have no brake lights YOU are the one who is liable for any and all damage, because maybe after a few thousand dollars or repair and medical bills, it will be important enough for you to check for the proper operation of your safety equipment.
I wonder if I’ll ever see this girl again. Possibly she’ll come in tomorrow, asking us to fix the problem that she’s left to fester, and my gut tells me that she’ll still think that her problem is more important than every one else’s. If she comes back, I’ll be sure to write about it…as I love to tell stories about the vehicularly-retarded.
