Tuesday, November 12, 2002
Kam’s Column - 12/11/02
Hello again!
I’ve heard it said that Lady Luck is quite fickle and often stays with one football team throughout the whole season – and I think her wicked sister is in our dressing room, preventing the boys from going to the ball… Yes, it was another defeat at the weekend, this time to top-of-the-table-team Portsmouth. However, as we all know, it’s never over 'till the fat linesman says so and I’m certain that our team will continue fighting to the end!
While we’re on the subject of football, did you know that Saddam Hussain’s son beats the soles of his players’ feet every time they lose? And talking of Saddam (even I was impressed at that link!), it is good to see that the United Nations is actually united for once and is going to do something about him…
While I’m positive that all those who know me personally would say that I can be a stereotypical bloke (with the footie and cars), I can display a forward thinking side that the fairer sex never attribute to us mere males! To beat the rush, I actually got all of my Christmas shopping done on Saturday – cards, gift-wrap and everything. Before you ask, no it wasn’t all gift tokens! To make matters even more impressive, I had to get it all done in the morning so that Mandy and I could finalise the arrangements for our daughter’s fourth birthday party at JJBs on Sunday! For a man who hates shopping, I think I did pretty well!
At the end of last week, the Police were carrying out random searches and inspections on people’s cars, checking for road-worthiness, MoT condition and inspecting the drivers for signs of the dreaded drink. Out of the people stopped, three were mortified to discover that their MoTs had run out – needless to say the boys in blue weren’t too impressed. Of course, had these people come to Kam, not only would we have sent them a written reminder that their MoT was nearly due, but we are now going a stage further and giving our most valued customers (that’s all you lot out there) a telephone call as well! We all appreciate that while MoTs are vitally important, the pace of life for many of you is such that it can slip your mind or a November renewal can, in your head, become December. If you heed our reminders, not only will you keep your car in the best of health, but you can avoid getting points on your licence… Plus, when you book your vehicle in for a service at the same time as your MoT, you get the MoT free! Saving money, saving points, saving stress – that’s what we’re all about!
On Monday, new driver Paul Simon (name changed to prevent his blushes) brought his Vauxhall Cavalier into the workshop, claiming that he thought something was up with the braking system.
“I haven’t been driving that long,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “But I just don’t feel that the brakes are all that they might be. Can you take a look?”
“No worries Paul, we’ll get it sorted” I replied with my most winning smile.
Well, regular reader, we stripped the system right back to the bare essentials and found nothing that looked wrong. The pads were in good order, the pistons were perfect and the whole mechanism moved just as it should. After a bit more searching, the only thing that any of us could find wrong was a bit of compacted brake dust partially covering the ABS connections. A quick blast with the compressed air soon sorted that out, so we rebuilt the system and tested it – all OK. Sometimes, things like a little brake dust can upset the whole system.
While we were at it, we gave Paul’s car a winter health check as well, just to make sure that he was prepared for the vicious weather that is about to hit us. After Paul had returned and tested the car – claiming it to be perfect – I passed him the sheet with our findings. He eyed it suspiciously.
“Is there something wrong Paul?” I asked.
“Well, I’m not sure Kev. First, there’s no price on this and secondly, you’ve done a winter check as well. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful, but hadn’t budgeted for the extra cost.”
I think it fair to say I was a little shocked. I’ve spent so much time promoting our free brake inspections and free winter checks that I had assumed that everyone knew about them! Evidently, Paul was one of the last few who had missed these gems…
Once I had explained that the brake check and winter inspections cost absolutely nothing, Paul blushed to the roots of his hair.
“Oh I’m sorry Kev, I wasn’t implying anything before – I’m just used to people doing extra without telling me and then charging huge amounts!”
As you and I know, regular reader, that is where Kam is different to the rest of the pack.
I’ve just had a terrible thought – in all my present buying frenzy, I forgot to get something for Mandy! Maybe I’ll have to get some vouchers for Anne Summers for her – I have heard that it is a fine lingerie shop and held in much regard…
Until next week,
Dr Kev Allen
I’ve heard it said that Lady Luck is quite fickle and often stays with one football team throughout the whole season – and I think her wicked sister is in our dressing room, preventing the boys from going to the ball… Yes, it was another defeat at the weekend, this time to top-of-the-table-team Portsmouth. However, as we all know, it’s never over 'till the fat linesman says so and I’m certain that our team will continue fighting to the end!
While we’re on the subject of football, did you know that Saddam Hussain’s son beats the soles of his players’ feet every time they lose? And talking of Saddam (even I was impressed at that link!), it is good to see that the United Nations is actually united for once and is going to do something about him…
While I’m positive that all those who know me personally would say that I can be a stereotypical bloke (with the footie and cars), I can display a forward thinking side that the fairer sex never attribute to us mere males! To beat the rush, I actually got all of my Christmas shopping done on Saturday – cards, gift-wrap and everything. Before you ask, no it wasn’t all gift tokens! To make matters even more impressive, I had to get it all done in the morning so that Mandy and I could finalise the arrangements for our daughter’s fourth birthday party at JJBs on Sunday! For a man who hates shopping, I think I did pretty well!
At the end of last week, the Police were carrying out random searches and inspections on people’s cars, checking for road-worthiness, MoT condition and inspecting the drivers for signs of the dreaded drink. Out of the people stopped, three were mortified to discover that their MoTs had run out – needless to say the boys in blue weren’t too impressed. Of course, had these people come to Kam, not only would we have sent them a written reminder that their MoT was nearly due, but we are now going a stage further and giving our most valued customers (that’s all you lot out there) a telephone call as well! We all appreciate that while MoTs are vitally important, the pace of life for many of you is such that it can slip your mind or a November renewal can, in your head, become December. If you heed our reminders, not only will you keep your car in the best of health, but you can avoid getting points on your licence… Plus, when you book your vehicle in for a service at the same time as your MoT, you get the MoT free! Saving money, saving points, saving stress – that’s what we’re all about!
On Monday, new driver Paul Simon (name changed to prevent his blushes) brought his Vauxhall Cavalier into the workshop, claiming that he thought something was up with the braking system.
“I haven’t been driving that long,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “But I just don’t feel that the brakes are all that they might be. Can you take a look?”
“No worries Paul, we’ll get it sorted” I replied with my most winning smile.
Well, regular reader, we stripped the system right back to the bare essentials and found nothing that looked wrong. The pads were in good order, the pistons were perfect and the whole mechanism moved just as it should. After a bit more searching, the only thing that any of us could find wrong was a bit of compacted brake dust partially covering the ABS connections. A quick blast with the compressed air soon sorted that out, so we rebuilt the system and tested it – all OK. Sometimes, things like a little brake dust can upset the whole system.
While we were at it, we gave Paul’s car a winter health check as well, just to make sure that he was prepared for the vicious weather that is about to hit us. After Paul had returned and tested the car – claiming it to be perfect – I passed him the sheet with our findings. He eyed it suspiciously.
“Is there something wrong Paul?” I asked.
“Well, I’m not sure Kev. First, there’s no price on this and secondly, you’ve done a winter check as well. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful, but hadn’t budgeted for the extra cost.”
I think it fair to say I was a little shocked. I’ve spent so much time promoting our free brake inspections and free winter checks that I had assumed that everyone knew about them! Evidently, Paul was one of the last few who had missed these gems…
Once I had explained that the brake check and winter inspections cost absolutely nothing, Paul blushed to the roots of his hair.
“Oh I’m sorry Kev, I wasn’t implying anything before – I’m just used to people doing extra without telling me and then charging huge amounts!”
As you and I know, regular reader, that is where Kam is different to the rest of the pack.
I’ve just had a terrible thought – in all my present buying frenzy, I forgot to get something for Mandy! Maybe I’ll have to get some vouchers for Anne Summers for her – I have heard that it is a fine lingerie shop and held in much regard…
Until next week,
Dr Kev Allen
