Quality Plus Automotive - October 2020

Quality Plus Automotive - October 2020

October 2020

What Customer Service Really Means No Shortcuts and No Shortchanging

Customer service makes the world go ‘round. For me, customer service is defined by the quality of service that you pay for. When you go into a business and pay someone for a service, you should get the best — no shortcuts and no shortchanging. Growing up on the farm, my dad would ask me to rake leaves every fall. He expected me to do a good job. He told me, “You want to be the best at raking leaves, not because someone’s watching you, but because it’s the right thing to do.” My dad’s advice applies to just about anything. When you pay someone for a service, they should give you the best, not because you’re watching over their shoulder (or their boss is watching over their shoulder), but because it’s the right thing to do. I’ve been to plenty of establishments where the customer service leaves a lot to be desired. The employees are not giving it 100%. They couldn’t care less that you paid for a service. These are the types of businesses where you, the customer, feel like an inconvenience. These are businesses you don’t go back to.

back. When people leave my shop, my goal is for them to leave happy. We’re here with our, “Yes, ma’am!”

and “Yes, sir!”We listen to what you have to say, and we know that you’re relying on us to get the job done.

And there’s one thing that I know makes people happy: when you listen. When a customer comes in with a problem, we listen to every word. If you want to do a good job, you have to listen and be attentive. If one of my guys misses something because they weren’t listening, they can’t do their job to the best of their ability, and the customer isn’t going to walk away happy. Over the years, I’ve found that I’m more willing to pay extra to a business if they have great customer service. This is any business whose employees are attentive and who listen and deliver quality service. On top of that, they’re polite, courteous, and honest. Chick- fil-A is a great example. The truth is, even if a place like this —with excellent service and courteous and honest employees —makes a mistake, I’ll be fine with it. That’s because I know that if they make a mistake, they’re going to fix it and make it right. I learned a lot about customer service while working on the family tobacco farm. It was there that I learned the importance of courteousness and honesty and how important it is to go above and beyond. I still live by these lessons in my own work, and it’s what I expect from others. There’s one guy who does work for me every now and again. He’s my go-to electrician. I don’t even ask how much he charges because I know his customer service is better than anyone else’s, and I know I’m going to get what I pay for.

You could say good customer service is the ultimate key to success. If you do a good job, people come

Just imagine if every business made it that easy!

Wake Forest • 919.453.0345 — Raleigh • 919.231.6164 -Randy Bunn

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Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

Could a Llama Save Us From COVID-19? Meet Winter, a 4-Legged Hero of Vaccine Research Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, people have turned to their four-legged friends for help and comfort. In Nebraska, an 11-year-old girl and her pony, Peanut, cheered up nursing home residents through their windows this spring, while in Pennsylvania, an award-winning golden retriever named Jackson starred in videos that kept thousands laughing. Pets like these have given the national mood a boost, but another four-legged critter deserves just as much recognition. Her name is Winter, and she’s the 4-year-old llama whose antibodies could help us beat the coronavirus. At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Llamas? Really? What will these scientists think up next?” But in fact, Winter wasn’t an outside-of-the-box discovery during the COVID-19 vaccine scramble. Llamas have been helping scientists battle viruses for years. That’s because, along with her fuzzy brown coat and long eyelashes, Winter has a unique virus treatment hidden in her blood: llama antibodies. According to The NewYork Times, Winter has participated in past studies for both SARS and MERS —diseases also caused by coronaviruses — and her antibodies fought off both infections. Llamas have also helped out with research for HIV and influenza. It turns out llama antibodies are smaller than the ones found in humans, which makes it easier for them to wiggle into the tiny pockets in virus-carrying proteins. This superpower gives them the ability to“neutralize” viruses, including COVID-19. Studies are now showing that using these llama antibodies in humans could potentially keep coronaviruses from entering human cells as well. At least two separate llama studies have shown the effectiveness of these antibodies on coronavirus infections. This summer, a team of researchers from the U.K. discovered that llama antibodies “have the potential to be used in a similar way to convalescent serum, effectively stopping progression of the virus in patients who are ill”when given to those patients in a transfusion. They also suggested that a cocktail of llama and human antibodies could be even more successful at temporarily blocking the virus.

Dashboard Diagn 4 Common Dashboard Symbols & What They Really Mean October is Car Care Awareness Month. In recognition of this occasion, we want to take a look at one of the most misunderstood parts of any vehicle: the dashboard lights. What do these mean? What should you do when certain symbols light up? While we can’t take a look at every symbol, we’ll look at a few of the common ones, starting with the most confusing symbol of all, the check engine light.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT This light, which looks like a little motor, is the source of a lot of frustration. When it comes on, you may feel a sense of panic. What are you supposed to do? If this light comes on, it means the vehicle’s computer detected a malfunction. There are many devices on the market (car code readers) you can plug into your car

that will give you a code indicating what the problem is. You can look up the code online. However, if this light comes on and you are concerned, your best bet is to take your vehicle to a car care professional who can tell you what the problem is so you take care of it (and stop worrying)!

ENGINE TEMPERATUREWARNING This symbol looks like a thermometer in water. If this lights up, it means your engine temperature is well above normal. It may mean you need to check coolant levels or for coolant leaks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Chase, Oct. 14 Technician, Wake Forest Location Jared, Oct. 17 Technician, Raleigh Location Chris H., Oct. 31 Technician, Raleigh Location

Studies of the latter are in the works, and scientists around the world have their fingers crossed for success. In the meantime, Winter will continue peacefully

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

grazing in Belgium, unaware that she just might play a role in saving the world.

Brad, Oct. 9 Service Advisor, Raleigh Location

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nostics &

America’s Worst Drivers Who Needs to Retake Their Driver’s Test the Most? Which age group do you think ranks as the worst drivers in America? According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the answer is motorists from the ages of 19–24. This group represents younger millennials and older members of Generation Z. The AAA Foundation released a report in 2017 trying to determine which age group had the most trouble behind the wheel. They stated that, “88% of young millennials engaged in at least one risky behavior behind the wheel in the past 30 days.” Risky behaviors include speeding, running red lights, and texting while driving. The report also noted that traffic-related deaths increased by 7% in 2015, which marks the largest single-year increase in more than 50 years. The problem, it seems, is rooted in attitude. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s Executive Director Dr. David Yang said, “Some [young] drivers believe that their dangerous driving behavior is acceptable.” Another troubling statistic gleaned from the report revealed that “nearly 12% of drivers ages 19–24 reported feeling that it is acceptable to drive 10 mph over the speed limit in a school zone.” But before you decide that millennials deserve all the blame, note that drivers ages 40–59 are also guilty of speeding, running red lights, and texting while driving. In fact, over 75% of people in this age group do so fairly regularly. This group is the third top offender behind older millennials (who are ages 25–39). About 79% of people in this group engage in dangerous driving habits at least once a month. Another AAA report, the 2017 Traffic Safety Culture Index, reported that just over half of all drivers routinely drive 15 mph over the posted speed limit on highways and 10 mph over on residential streets. On top of this, about 25% of drivers believe it’s okay to drive 15 mph over the limit. The takeaway from AAA’s report is that drivers of all ages engage in poor driving habits. The best thing any of us can do is drive defensively, keep our eyes on the road, and look out for other drivers!

Additionally, make sure the engine fan is running properly and the radiator cap is secure. If you check these items and the light remains on, further professional diagnostics and repair may be needed. OIL PRESSUREWARNING This light looks like an oil can. If you see this on your dash, it’s a sign your vehicle’s engine has lost oil pressure or there is a lack of proper lubrication in the system. Check your oil level and pressure ASAP! Not addressing this can result in serious damage to engine components and a costly repair bill. TIRE PRESSUREWARNING This is another common light drivers will see. It looks like a cutaway of a tire with an exclamation point. When this light comes on, it means the tire pressure in one or more of your tires is low. However, many drivers will address the issue only to see the symbol remain lit up on their dashboard. Why is this? A lot of newer vehicles, especially those built in the last 10 years, also gauge the pressure of the spare tire. Don’t forget about the fifth tire!

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Wake Forest 919.453.0345 Raleigh 919.231.6164

QualityPlusAutomotive.com 1601 Heritage Commerce Ct. Wake Forest, NC 27587

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INSIDE This Issue

Going Above and Beyond

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Could a Llama Save Us From COVID-19? What Do Those Dashboard Lights Really Mean? Take a Break Who Are America’s Worst Drivers?

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Tips for Buying New Outdoor Gear!

Fall and Winter Sports Are on the Horizon Tips for Buying New Outdoor Gear!

When was the last time you bought new ski pants or hiking boots? Now that you’re thinking about it, you might be realizing it’s been many years since you updated your most used athletic gear, which might explain why you’ve been colder than usual on the ski hill or why your feet ache after a short hike. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to consider investing in new gear. It can be very expensive, but you’re in luck — the holidays are just around the corner, which means so are the sales! Before you drop cash on new gear, sort through your current inventory and decide what to keep, sell, and toss. This might be hard and you may be tempted to skip it, but making these decisions can help you save money. If you have equipment or athletic wear that’s still in good condition but you no longer need, find a consignment shop where you can sell or trade it. After all, your gear might be perfect for someone else and still give you some money to get a great upgrade for yourself. As you sort through your gear, see if any equipment is damaged and requires repair or replacement. Test flashlights and headlamps to make sure they work and inspect gear that’s been stored and forgotten, like backpacks and tents, that you might not notice the wear and tear on while out in the wild. You don’t want any equipment to malfunction when you’re in the middle of an excursion.

Now that you know what gear you want to replace, it is time for the fun part.

Decide what outdoor activities you want to do in the upcoming months and in the next year. Adjust your inventory to your new needs and

research which brands have the best ratings and reviews. Then, find which retailers tend to have the best prices.

Shopping smart takes a little bit of preparation, but it can save you hundreds of dollars and lots of stress during those busy holiday weeks. So, dig through your closet or garage, take note of your current gear, and prepare to find some awesome deals for the whole family on new gear for the coming year.

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