Subaru Recall

Waiting in line (me in my red Subaru) for service this morning at the dealership

Just got back from Dover. I took my car to my Subaru dealer for a recall.  Brake linings and passenger side airbags.  

I didn't want to go.  I received the recall notices the past year and ignored them. I purchased my Subaru Forester from this Dover dealer back in 2010. At that time I had excellent service. However, a few years ago, when the dealership changed ownership, the service I received was terrible. I vowed never to go back.  I've been in the service industry all my adult life and I know bad service when I see and experience it. When I receive bad service, I don't go back.

However, last week I received a second notice from the Subaru headquarters about the air bag recall.  The recall correspondence mentioned the deadly danger of the passenger side air bag going off, injuring and killing passengers with shrapnel. WTF?  Unbelievable!  

I considered ignoring this notice too but upon second (and third) thought I decided to just get it over with.  I called and made an appointment.  The service desk had a problem finding my name until I gave them my Subaru VIN number. They found my records. She said "You haven't been here for awhile."  Uh, yes.  I decided not to dump on her why I had not returned.  She was an innocent party.  She wasn't there when I received the terrible service the last time I was at their facility.

I made an appointment for today at 8:30 am.  That meant I had to get up early, which I did.  How's 5:07 am sound?  Yep, I didn't sleep all that well knowing I had to make the thirty-nine mile trip to Dover this morning.  

It rained last night. This morning when I got up the rain continued. I debated with myself whether of not to go up.  I hate driving in the rain. But it wasn't raining real hard but enough to make me uncomfortable driving that distance. I decided to go. 

Ten miles up the road (Route One, the main artery to southern Delaware), the rain increased followed by fog.  Great, my worst driving conditions. I pulled off on a side road and told Bill "I'm not going. I'm calling and cancelling."  He said "Why? You halfway there."  Well, actually I wasn't "halfway" there but well on my way.  I pulled in a private driveway and backed out onto the road and resumed my journey in the rain and fog to Dover.

Another eight miles up the road I encounter road construction. When don't I encounter road construction when traveling? I briefly considered turning around again but decided just to barrel through and get this over with.

Twenty minutes later I arrive in downtown Dover. I approach the dealership.  I am immediately impressed with the new service area.  Instead of going inside and seeing a couple of guys behind the service desk, instead I see a young lady with an iPad outside checking the car in front of me with the car's owner. Another service rep comes out (Carol) and says "You are Mr. Tipton?"  Hey!  I'm impressed already.  She's expecting me.  

Carol checking out my Subaru

She tells me to accompany her while she walks around my car for an examination.  She explains to me I am there for a recall on two items.  Gee, I don't have to explain to The Guy Behind The Service Desk why I am there.  She notes the split rubber on my rear windshield wiper but otherwise, everything on my Subaru looks good.  It should, my 2010 Subaru only has just over 61,000 miles on it and has a comfy home in my garage.  I sign off with my finger on her iPad.

Carol directs me inside to another service rep who gives me the key to my loaner car.  It's another Subaru!  And here I thought they were going to give me some chintzy car.  But ah, there is a method behind their actions.  When I got into my Subaru I felt at home immediately!  Aren't they clever?  

Me signing off on the loaner car

I LOVED the updated dashboard!
I LOVED the comfort of the new higher seating!
I LOVED the color display on the radio!
I LOVED the backup screen!
I LOVED the feel of more power of the engine!

Of course when I returned home I checked the Kelley Blue Book value of my present Subaru (between $8,000 an $11,000) and the price of this new Subaru ($25,000).   I really don't need a new car but I do like new and shiny objects. My care now is a 2010. Next year's Subaru would be a 2020.  Sounds nice and neat. 

My loaner Subaru is now safely ensconced in my garage now, waiting for the return trip to the Dover dealership tomorrow. I'm so glad today turned out on a positive note. 

Washing Machine Repair

RB Appliance Service
Arrived at Casa Tipton-Kelly to repair my washing machine

Another busy day around here at Casa Tipton-Kelly.

Our ten year old Whirlpool washing machine has been acting temperamental lately. I put the wash in, the water fills up the tub and . . . . . . . . . nothing. 

Well, as you know I am NOT mechanically inclined.  In fact I'm a real doofus when it come to ANYTHING mechanical.  

I don't know and I don't WANT to know. My talent is organization, charming personality and writer par excellence.  Well, maybe not so much of the latter (but I do like to write, witness how I can go on and on about nothing in my blog posts). 

About six months ago I noticed that I had to fiddle around with the knobs on the washing machine to get it started after the tub filled with water.  I didn't know how I got it to start chugging but I did.  Then about two months ago, when I was leaning on the lid to reach the knob I realized that I could push the lid in and the wash would start.

Thus I put off calling the 800 number for repair.  Yes, I do procrastinate. And when I do I regret it later.  

So that worked for a while, me pushing down on the lid.  Then came a time when even THAT didn't work.

I reluctantly called the 800 number listed on the lid of the washing machine.  The person I got on the other end of the line asked me my zip code (I live in southern Delaware).  He fumbled a bit, talking to himself then gave me a number of a washing machine service provider nearest to me which was in:

RHODE ISLAND!!!!!

I asked him "Are you kidding me?"  He fumbled a bit more, and said "Hmmmm, yeah."  I quickly sense that this phone call wasn't going to provide me with the help I was seeking and I hung up.  And I procrastinated again.

However, two days ago the washing machine completely stopped mid wash when Bill opened the lid. 

He called me to help.  I couldn't get it started.  Thus we had a tub load of wet clothes. What to do now?  

Bill pulled the clothes out and tried to wring them from the water as much as he could.  He wanted to ask our neighbor if we could use her washer.  We called her but she wasn't in.  

I tried to get the washer to start again.  Somehow I managed to get it started.  

Now was the time to bite the bullet and look for a appliance service person.  

I did an Internet search for a local appliance service provider.  No more calling the Whirlpool 800 number.

Guess what?  I found a local appliance service person!  I checked for reviews.  

More good news, he had all good reviews on Yelp.

That man came today.  He replaced the starter, which was the problem.  He also noticed that the rubber hoses were out of date.  They should have been replaced in 2011.

He replaced the starter and the hoses.  

He was a nice guy.

"Rick", my appliance service person

He charged a reasonable price.

I will write a very favorable review of his service.

Good news folks.  

See there, I don't always complain.

DirecTV - Great Service!!

Servicemen "Gregg" of DirecTV

Time for some good news folks.  

Yesterday I had a visit from a DirecTV serviceman. My whole house system needed upgrading.

I've been dreading this visit.  I dread any visit by a serviceman (or "person", although usually I don't see women as service persons).  

One of the reasons is that I have wall to wall carpeting and I don't like people traipsing around in my house with their shoes/boots.  Who knows where those shoes/boots have been walking on.  You know what I'm talking about.  

Another reason is that Bill and I, in our advanced years (old folks here) don't like our daily routine disrupted. 

And yet another reason is that I feared a service person messing around with all my in house wiring and WIFI would disrupt my Comcast Internet connection.  And that folks was my BIG fear because if my Comcast connection got messed up, I would have to call Comcast and you know what that's like.  Comcast is notorious for awful service.  I have my Comcast Internet connection working now, after a lot of frustration several months ago when my rented Comcast modem/router failed, and I just didn't want to go through that very frustrating experience of trying to get Comcast service.  Sorry for the long run on sentence but I get riled up when talking about Comcast and their lack of service.

Well folks, I need not have worried.

"Greg", the DirecTV service man showed up exactly on time when I was informed prior to his arrival.  Contrast this when I was to receive a Comcast service call and no one came.  No call, no visit, no apology.  In fact, Comcast never did show up and I had to do the hookup over the phone (took hours) but I won't go into that now.  

Greg got out of his truck, greeted me with a smile and showed me his photo ID.  Wow.  Good start!

Then he explained what he was going to do.  Changed all four of my stations.  Upgrade the coaxial cable and upgrade the connections on my satellite dish.  

And . . . . he put on booties to cover his work boots. I thank him and apologized for the inconvenience. He said "It is inconvenient but I don't mind if that is what you prefer."  Hey folks, could you imagine one of those surly, sub-contracted Comcast service workers saying that?  I can't. 

He told me "I see where you are a 17 year customer of DirecTV and we appreciate your business."  Folks, I'm just not used to this kind of service and I have to tell you I was mighty pleased.  

When Gregg encountered the first dos he was to replace he said "You DO have some old equipment."  Tell me about it Gregg.  

Gregg was here about three hours.  Of course our routine was disrupted but  you know what folks, it was all worth it.  I now have the most current equipment and all kinds of new features. And you know how much this cost me?  

ZERO

Not to keep bashing Comcast, (but I will) which does have excellent Internet connections, can you imagine what the cost would have been had they sent a service person here?  I can tell you one thing, they would never have honored my request to wear booties.  

Yesterday I experienced something very rare folks, good service!

Thank you DirecTV!

Septic Tank Emergency!

Ah yes folks, it's been a while since I've posted.  It's not that I don't have anything to post about, I had LOADS.  Problem is I just don't have the time.  Oh I know how boring that excuse is but folks, that IS my problem.

Well, this morning I had another "problem."  As I rounded the corner from my bedroom this morning to have my breakfast, Bill greeted me with the latest emergency.  He said the grass around our septic tank lid was "all wet."   Uh oh!




This has to be one of our worst fears.  Mine anyway.  When we lived in Pennsylvania we had our own septic field. The twenty-five years we lived there we never once had the septic tank emptied.  But of course that was a little different because the overflow of the septic tank went into the field below which probably help explain why the vegetation was also so lush.




Well, our septic tank here has no such feature. We've lived nine years (November 7th is our anniversary).  Only once have I had our septic tank emptied.  I wasn't sure it needed to be emptied but we had it done because our neighbor said we could get a discount if we both had ours emptied at the same time.  

So I checked Angie's List this morning for septic service company.  I got a name, McMullen Septic Services.  I called to arrange service.  "Shelly", who answered the phone told me a serviceman was in the area (Milton).  Within an half an hour he was here!  WOW!  Talk about service.

"Joe", quickly determined the problem.  My septic tank filter was clogged.  The tank was filled to the top.  UGH!  (I looked). 

He saw the "wipes" that I use.  He suggested that while the manufacturer of the wipes say they are "flushable", that doesn't mean they are biodegradable, which apparently they aren't.  So I won't be using them anymore.  Back to the shower or wet toilet paper.  I have to be clean.  That's just me.  

So folks, I had an emergency this morning and it was taking care of professionally, punctually and with a reasonable cost $313.50 which include a $75.00 of liquid to help the natural bacteria action in my septic tank).  How refreshing to get good service at a reasonable price.  Of course I posted an excellent review to my account at Angie's List.  

Speaking of which, Angie's List is great!  They have never left me down. Do I sound like a commercial?  Oh well.

Have a great day everyone.  My septic tank is clean and I'm ready to roll.  Now back to my Scrabble boards on Facebook which is (as I guiltily admit) are taking up so much of my time).

Service Today!

Emergency service yesterday

Late afternoon yesterday I noticed that the temperature inside Casa Tipton-Kelly was unusually stuffy.  I checked the thermostat and noted that we had it set at the usual 75 degrees but the actual temperature was 81 degrees and getting warmer from the late afternoon sun streaming through our Wall of Windows in our living room.

I asked Bill is the air conditioning was working and he said "Yes."  I went downstairs, where Bill lives, and indeed it was it's usually freezer walk in cold.  But once I got back upstairs, the temperature was uncomfortably stuffy.  I checked the vents.  Usually I can see the curtains moving but not today.  I asked Bill, "Are the blowers working?"  He said he didn't know.  I usually depend on Bill for any mechanical questions about the house but maybe it was time to call the professionals.  And that I did.

I made a call to this wonderful company, which is aptly named "Service Today."  In less than five minutes after I called the 800 number and the girl took my information down, I received a call from "Dave", the service technician.  He was on his way out.  I said to him "Wow! That was fast!  I just called your 800 number and you're calling back this fast?"  He said "Do you want me to hang up and call back later?"  (a little "funny" here folks).  Of course I said "No."  

In less than twenty minutes he pulled in the driveway of Casa Tipton-Kelly, went around to the HVAC unit on the side of the building and diagnosed the problem as "Your lines are frozen." 

"Dave" from Service Today diagnosing the problem late yesterday afternoon

Problem solved.  He said that they were probably frozen because our whole house filter was dirty.  Coincidentally I had just asked Bill to change the filter yesterday because of the excessive amount of dust that seem to accumulate on our granite counter tops.  

We turned off the air conditioner to let the "pipes" thaw out.  Bill turned on the heat later in the evening to thaw out the condenser (? - I think, don't ask me I'm not "mechanical").  So everything is back to normal now, Thank God! 

So here is what is amazing about "Service Today."  The trip out here to diagnose the problem only cost $79, and this is the weekend!  And we here all these horror stories about "Lower, Slower, Delaware" ("LSD" for short, you'll see it on some of our license plates).  And then of course you've all heard those horror stories about the $$$$$$$ that costs to have service done, with an extra premium on the weekend.  This is the second time I've used Service Today and I have to see, I am VERY PLEASED. Now this is call SERVICE.  What a novel concept.

Right now I'm waiting for Service Today to come back to check out our whole HVAC system.  I don't want this problem to happen during the next horrendous heat wave like we had the past two weeks.  I am totally spoiled about living in an air conditioned environment.  Totally.  Yesterday was too close a call.

Happily Married

The Happy Couple (look for this photo on next year's Christmas card)

So this is what its like to be happily married?  I love it!  Bill is pretty happy too.

I didn't think too much about how we would feel after the big buildup (49 years after all) and the last two months (testifying before the Delaware state house in support of marriage equality) but I was sort of expecting a slight letdown at least.  Didn't happen.  We're still high on happiness!

Bill and me at The Circle in Georgetown, DE on our wedding day

This morning I was talking to a dear blogger friend on FaceTime and he asked me if I felt different (I think that's what he asked me).  The answer is "Yes, I do feel different.  I feel complete.  Its hard to describe but I feel just right.  Maybe this is how it feels not to be marginalized or discounted as a human being or a citizen of this country just because of who I love.  I'm here to tell you this feels damn good.

So what have we done since the Big Day?  Well, as you know life does go on.  We've been suffering through a high humidity heat wave here in southern Delaware for the past week or so.  The heat and humidity bears down on us then it rains then the heat and humidity returns.  We just slog our way through it and try not to spend too much time outside.  If we do, then when we come back into the house we have to peel off our sweat soaked clothes and take a shower.

Yesterday morning we had a near disaster.  Our air conditioning started to run erratically.  OMG!  NOT NOW!  I had visions of calling the local air conditioning repair guys and being told they could get out here until next week.  In the mean time Bill and I would have to hunker down in the basement like survivors of an atomic bomb attack until relief arrived.

Leaving Rehoboth Beach yesterday morning

Yesterday morning I also had to go to downtown Rehoboth to retrieve our wedding pictures from Ann of Old Time Photo (she took our wedding photos which are pictured in this posting because Mark H. wasn't available).  So here we were yesterday, fighting the lava flow that is called Route 1 traffic into Rehoboth on Fourth of July weekend and trying to arrange for a service company to come out and repair our air conditioner.  

Old Time Photos in Rehoboth Beach, DE early yesterday morning

I called my boss at work because his air conditioner recently went out too.  I asked him what company he called.  He told me it was a company called Service Today.  Oh sure, I thought.  But I have a high respect for my boss's recommendations so I called.  Guess what?  When we returned from Rehoboth, which was a NIGHTMARE or DAYMARE (not only was the traffic heavy we had to wait for the drawbridge out of Rehoboth to close!)  the Service Repair truck was in our driveway!

Service Today van waiting for us yesterday morning when we returned from Rehoboth Beach

We got out of our car, very happy that we didn't have to wait the entire day in a sweltering house for a service man to maybe show up or not show up.  I didn't seen the serviceman until I walked around the house to the air conditioner unit.  I introduced myself (didn't tell him that Bill and I were husband and husband).  He found the problem, a bad capacitor.  He fixed it and the charge was very reasonable!  Hey, how about that?  After this blog posting I will go on Angie's List and post a very complimentary review.  

Bill giving instructions (as is his wont)  

So what are we doing this weekend?  Just trying to stay cool folks, and now that is possible thanks to Service Today.  Sometimes things just work out right.