As a service advisor, we always, or were supposed to always do a walk
around of the customer’s vehicle while writing it up. The purpose was to
identify any damage done to the car when it arrived, so if the need occurred, we
could compare it when it left. We would point out the dings, many, scrapes,
many, and missing pieces to the customer, and have them sign off on it. Simple,
you say, and it sounds like it, but there were times we met with great
resistance. And other times we were set up, so they could get free repairs
done. But when we were faithful to the report, we had the evidence if an
argument occurred, and their signature.
The most common complaint of “I didn’t do that” was on the right side of
their cars. People get out on the left, and very rarely walk around their cars,
and if they do, don’t look back. And so many dings, scratches, and missing trim
occur on right side, the side not seen by the driver. And when pointed out
during a walk around, many were surprised, “how did that happen?” and the
absentee spouse was immediately blamed. With one outstanding claim that his
wife hated the car, so purposely opened her door into the wall in their garage.
Many times....”yeah I know...” but had no explanation for his side. For the
most part people were honest, but embarrassed, and “I’m going to fix it someday”
was often heard. And then there were the dishonest ones....
“Every time I bring my car in you damage it,” so why do you keep coming
back. And we made notes in their file to beware. From you got it dirty, to you
backed into to a pole while here, we addressed every issue. In regards to
poles, we would paint them bright orange, “No mam the white paint on your bumper
didn’t happen here, we have nothing painted that color.” Some would back off,
then others would get more aggressive. The threatening would begin, and we held
our ground. I’m still amazed at how my parent’s heritage, my lack of education,
and being told to do anatomically impossible things had anything to do with
their hitting something and not fessing up to it.
One occurrence at Mercedes Benz had a woman immediately upon picking up her
car, go to the front of it, and go into a melt down. Screaming and yelling
threats about supposed damage by us to her car, she got madder when I asked
about the dirt and rust in the supposed new accident damage. She was busted,
and I later found she had tried this before, and since I was the new guy, I was
the prime target. But the rare times we did do anything, I immediately called
the customer, told them what happened and we took care of it. Which was a rare
occurrence, I was always amazed at how many didn’t get damaged, dealing with
hundreds of cars a week, and in a small area. But accidents do happen, like to
my friend Frank and his motorcycle.
Before setting off on a cross country ride, he took his high mileage, but
well maintained Yamaha in for service. Two days later when picking it up, it
looked different. The five year old bike suddenly had a new windshield, a
shiny, new gas tank, new grips and handlebars, and one new bag had been
replaced. When he asked what happened, they denied anything, so how did the new
parts get on the bike? A few thousand dollars of repairs for free? And why
wasn’t he told? But it was the denial, the lies, that busted them. And how
they felt that it was OK to not tell him that got his lawyer involved. And a
higher price was paid in dollars and reputation. A new bike was given to him,
with free maintenance, the dealership was put on notice by BAR, and Yamaha was
upset with their dealer, warning him if it should happen again, they may lose
their franchise. All because they didn’t fess up to what they had done and come
clean. Their reaction was worse than the action, if only they would have
admitted their mistake and all would have been OK. Few people think of stupid
in regards to pride, here it is a means to an end, no matter which way you
go.
The Bible tells us to confess our sins one to another. But I would add to
use some common sense when doing it. I have a friend who years ago in a small
group, was asked by each one in it to confess a secret sin, his was porno as a
kid. As he turned to his brothers and confessed what had happened long ago,
they condemned him, and the gossip began. After his confession, the other’s
confessions were of much lesser sins, and the sanctity of their sinful life
assured. He was marked for life by them. Recently another man confessed in his
small group of a problem, and when he didn’t want to take the group’s advice,
was banished from it. And the word soon got around in the church abut his sin,
he had only told them, their small group was actually as gossip group. And yet
a third man tells me how he must be born again again and rebaptized to assure
the church he is really saved. So as to not cast any doubt on his salvation.
He needs to meet their expectations, can’t have any sinners in church. Truth
is, if bad PR would close the church, it would be gone long ago. And in each
case, they acted as judge, jury, and executioner. Ready to kill the wounded
rather than revive them. Of course if it happened to them, it may be
different...
So cast your cares, your burdens on Jesus. His yoke is easy, his
forgiveness real, and forever. Some are sorry for just getting caught, others
realize what they did was wrong and repent. God knows, he doesn’t need us to
administer our own kind of justice. He wants us to forgive their trespasses, as
Jesus forgives us. Men quickly establish a double standard, Jesus never does.
And when you give him the burden of sin, of your cares, and concerns, he will
take them. Bearing us up in his love, remember that next time you pray for that
jerk over there. Do it in love, for the sin you accuse someone else of you may
be guilty of yourself. God makes it easy, go to Jesus first, then let him deal
with it. Now about those stones in your pockets weighing you down...
When the crowd dispersed after Jesus wrote in the dirt, he asked “woman
where are your accusers?” He had told them “he who is without sin cast the
first stone.” And the crowd fled, we will never know what he wrote, but his
words sure were powerful. That is the kind of forgiveness he offers, more than
just saying “I’m sorry.” So take a walk around your car, your bike, and your
life. You may find areas of damage you missed, or are denying. Come clean with
Jesus, be forgiven, and forgive others. But forgive yourself too, for when you
love your brother as you love yourself, you are doing the will of God. And no
one can fully love when we have unconfessed sin, sin is what gets between us and
God. And maybe keep your small group confessions to a smaller group, of one.
If in doubt, ask to see his hands, he is qualified. Now about that problem you
have.....please don’t tell me, tell Jesus.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com