Unusual but happy experience that happened yesterday..to me...

[Stuart G]

...Short story. yes this really happened to me. Yesterday I went to a local hardware store to get some work done. It was an electronic key thing that opens my car door. A light was flashing that said I needed to change the battery in the key thing. I tried to open up the key thing, but couldn't, so off to the local hardware. Not a big box store with huge parking lot, and a hundred employees, but a local store the kind that is disappearing. You remember, smelly, compact, with so much stuff and more stuff for sale --over hear and over there hanging from the walls etc..
...So, I find a fellow behind a counter, not the check out counter, just a counter, and explain the situation to him. He easily opens the thing, and takes a look at the battery. We go over to some shelves with lots of batteries, he picks out the correct one (actually 2 in a package) and says, "After you pay for it, I will install the battery. The package of 2 cost $8.50. (too high in my opinion) but that is OK,because this fellow is going to fix it now so I don't get locked out. (saves a trip to the dealer who would overcharge me)
...I watch him, it takes about 5 minutes, and then he explains to me how to do it so I can do it myself next time.
And then it happened.....This strange but happy event......
....When he was done installing the battery in the thing, and explaining how I could do it myself, there was a moment, and I had prepared for it. When I was paying for the batteries, I took out from the change, a ten dollar bill, and decided to offer it to the battery replacement expert..So, I offered the battery replacement guy the ten dollar bill as a gift for getting the key thing battery replaced. Something extra, because he brightened my day by saving me a trip to the dealer. A job well done at the local hardware store...............................
.......................................................................................................................................................

...He said, "I can't take that." I offered it again. And again he said, "I can't take that, I don't take those, we don't do that here."...I said, "Thank You for your service, I really appreciate what you did. He said, "You know this is not my first rodeo"..We laughed for a moment and I left..
.
.I left, totally flabergasted..And for a moment, I smiled and thought about it..I was happy about going to the local hardware store to get the battery replaced.. Happy for a reason I never expected.. And thankful for the experience. And on the way home, I decided to share that experience here..at Democratic Underground in the Lounge....NO, I didn't make this up..it happened yesterday............

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Super tale, Stuart. That's why I use my local Ace Hardware. Same thing. Personal service.

at HD and Lowe's you are lucky if you can find someone to help. One day I stood in the back of HD and yelled 'DOES ANYONE WORK HERE?' Literally, there were NO employees visible and I did walk around.

[Stuart G]

2. I could have gone to one of those, but decided not to.

..This store was close to where I was, and it was somewhat hard to find a parking spot. But I got something extra, kindness and service that I couldn't buy, and will always remember.

[Sherman A1]

3. The local hardware store

Is always the best place for most everything.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. So, the $8.50 for the batteries was a true bargain.

[Leith]

5. It's Good to Tip for Extra Service Like That

When I need new windshield wipers, I have to have an employee install them for me. It takes me a couple hours, dirty clothes and hands, and a boatload of frustration. The employee gets it done correctly in 5 minutes, no muss, no fuss. It's well worth a token of gratitude.