I could only shake my head
I decided to give it overnight before I wrote this report. Give me a chance to let the stupidity completely sink in before I shared it with everyone else.
Michigan has very few Suzuki dealers. In my attempt to find oil filters, I called most of them. They all had cross filters that would work however they do not carry OEM models (even though they are all dealers). Plus, I didn't think driving 100 miles to get one was in my best interest. I ordered them online and had them in two days. Like a dummy, I didn't order any oil.
Yesterday, I thought would be a good day to pick some up from the local Marina. I work in Lansing and if you are familiar with the area, you know the Marina I went to (basically the only one). My old boat had a Yamaha motor and I used to buy my parts from them. Although they were expensive, they usually had what I needed.
Before I get started, let me say for those that don't know that I work in the computer industry. I've heard some pretty stupid questions in my 20 plus years of doing this. Usually however, it is from people that simply do not know or understand what they are working on. I have a good tolerance for that sort of stuff and I can easily take care of most issues. I understand that everyone has varying skill levels and everyone has questions.
This particular dealership has one individual that works in the parts section that I just cannot stand to deal with. He comes across as if he knows more than everyone else. I have to remind myself that he works in parts because he isn't good enough to be a mechanic. That usually makes me feel better. For the sake of this story however, I was glad to not be dealing with this individual today.
I walk in the door to this place and am instantly slapped in the face with the foul smell of body odor. Not the, I was sweating in the hot sun, type of odor. More along the lines of, I just ran a marathon with an union under each arm type of odor. Whipping the tears from my eyes, I notice one other customer and three people behind the counter. Mr. know it all is on the phone so I am thankful I don't have to deal with him. The other two are conversing with the other customer. Heck, I don't even really need them, I'm just picking up oil and I know what I need.
Cutting the locker room fog with my pocket knife, I make my way to the oil rack and decide to take a knee. I don't do this to get a better view of the bottom shelf but because I am getting sick to my stomach. Plus, I think of it like smoke in a fire and figure if I got low to the ground, heat would rise to the ceiling and I could take my face out from my T-shirt. I'm there 10 seconds when I hear a voice asking if they can help me. I do not turn around and simply say "No thanks, just picking up some oil". After scanning the rack for another 20 seconds, I realize that this person has not left. I didn't notice that the only other customer had left and parts person number two has now come to join the other guy watching me look for the oil I want to purchase. I hear "can I help you". In my mind I'm thinking.... "doesn't this guy see the other service person standing there? Does he now know that this guy has already asked if I needed help". Not wanting to sound like a jerk, I reply "no thanks, just hear to get some oil". He says "What are you looking for".
At this point in time I figure that I am not going to be able to get them away from me. The best course of action to get out of this sweaty gym sock is to allow them to help me. I stand up, turn around, and I am instantly Karate kicked in the face with the body odor smell. I've found the origin and he is standing right in front of me. Breathing through my mouth, the below conversation was EXACTLY as it happened:
Me: I need to get some 10w 40 oil for my motor
Stinky: What's it for?
Me: for my Suzuki motor
Smelly: What's it for?
Me: (I figured Suzuki, and 10w 40 was pretty clear but I said:) DF140
Onion Pits: Ya, but I asked what it was for?
Me: (I'm not sure what he wants... 10w 40 MOTOR oil is pretty clear, Suzuki DF 140 is also pretty clear). I say again... FOR MY MOTOR
Man who needs a bath: Ya, I know, but is it for the lower unit
Me: I SAID 10W 40
Old guy who needs his laundry done: Is it for the mix bottle
Me: (At this point in time, I'm not sure if this guy is stupid, deaf, not understanding or what).... I say in a louder voice: I SAID 10w 40... you know, motor oil, for a 4 stroke motor. If I wanted lower unit oil, I would have asked for 80w or 90w hypoid gear oil... If I wanted mix oil, I would have asked for 2 cycle oil. I said, MOTOR oil
Rotten Corpse: Okay, just wanted to make sure I knew what you needed
He scans the isle and say: It doesn't look like we have any of that. The problem with buying a Suzuki is there are not many shops in Michigan to service it.
Me: I service my own motors
His EXACT words: "I guess it is your fault for buying it"
At this point in time I am speechless. I'm not sure if it is because of the stench in the room, the dumb conversation I just had, or the way I was just treated. I've worked with this guy before so he isn't new. In fact, this looks like a retirement job for him or he has been there a long long time. I know this because all the other guys ask him questions about stuff.
He says: why don't you just go to the dealership where you bought it?
Me: Because I don't want to drive 80 miles one way to get it.
Him: Well, I don't know what to tell you... and he walks away
The conversation we had left me dumbfounded. I was amazed at how he asked a question, got the answer however he didn't listen to me one bit. He doesn't know me from anyone else. He also doesn't know that I do in fact know the owner of the place very well. I've actually been sponsored by them in the past.
The good news is that I never lost my cool. I am very quick whited and had tons of things I COULD have said. I simply walked away knowing that I will never return to do business with this place again. I will also not recommend them to anyone else. I ordered my stuff online and it will be here in two days.
