Do you remember when you went to a service station ? I sure do. I worked at a real service station back in the day.Now we have service "centers", different thing in my opinion. In fact I think it is a misnomer, should be replacement center, not much servicing going on in those places. Make an appointment to get your parts replaced. That is about the only service they are going to provide.
Yes there was a time in America when you could take your car to the filling station. That is just what they did there too. They filled your car with gasoline or water, whichever you were in need of. Eventually those filling stations turned into service stations. A garage would be built and a mechanic could be found " on duty. " That is what I always call them, a garage. I took my car to the garage to get gas or fixed. That was during a time when the gas stations and garages provided services. Services like cleaning your windshield, checking the air pressure in the tires and checking your oil. All at no extra charge, provided as a service. Need new wiper blades ? They would sell and install them, one price. Most gas stations had a soda machine and a bathroom. They didn't have food service, that was left to the local delicatessen. No sir, the business here was servicing automobiles. At some point, during the nineteen sixties I think, some gas stations began giving away free things with a fill up. You could get silverware,glasses,dishes and pots and pans. These " gifts " were provided by the major oil companies in an attempt to get your business. That is when gasoline was thirty seven cents a gallon too ! The big companies had there " attendants " dressed in a shirt and tie. A hat was usually worn and you had to be clean ! No grease monkeys at the pumps, please. Service with a smile. You can trust your car to the man who wears the star, the great big Texaco star. That I think was the beginning of the transition. The transition to dropping your car off and having some stranger work on it. It was out of sight and you really don't know what " service " is being performed. The relationship between car owner and mechanic was fading away. They started adding those middle men. Eventually they moved all those mechanics into centers. Put them out of sight in the back somewhere. There are big signs warning you you cannot trespass in there area, punishable by law. Insurance regulations you know ? What a far cry from the day of the garage. The days when you had your mechanic. That mechanic knew you and your car. He also took care of both of you. It was a relationship. Now, it is just business.
There are still a few garages around, mostly in small town America. We have one here in Greensboro, since 1919. You can still get your car serviced and the man doing the work is the one you will talk to. If you want he will take you into the garage and show you what the deal is. This is no sparkly clean dealership service center, this is a garage ! I love the smell and sounds of it. Nothing like old grease and air guns in the morning ! To hear the clanking of a wrench dropped on the floor, to the sound of a rusted bolt breaking loose, I love it all. The mechanic will talk to you and tell you what HAS to be done and what COULD be done. Different things altogether. The things that have to be done will get you back on the road again, and the things that could be done are the extras. I love choices. The mechanics there are like your primary physician, they know you and remember you. They know your car and remember your car. Makes me remember when you only needed one physician too. Now I may be sent to the service center but that's another story.
I expect one day all mechanics will have to be licensed. It will be an insurance thing. Working on these hi-tech computer controlled things we call cars I am surprised it hasn't already happened. The days of the shade tree mechanic are quickly fading away along with those old garages. It is a shame. The garage was a place to hang out with your buddies and a clearinghouse for local information. Now it is Starbucks ! Good Grief Charlie Brown. If these electric cars catch on we may see the days of the gas station return. The local store just having one pump. Need some gasoline ? Bring your can for filling. Gasoline ? Expensive stuff and dangerous too, I don't know why they even allow it.
Yes there was a time in America when you could take your car to the filling station. That is just what they did there too. They filled your car with gasoline or water, whichever you were in need of. Eventually those filling stations turned into service stations. A garage would be built and a mechanic could be found " on duty. " That is what I always call them, a garage. I took my car to the garage to get gas or fixed. That was during a time when the gas stations and garages provided services. Services like cleaning your windshield, checking the air pressure in the tires and checking your oil. All at no extra charge, provided as a service. Need new wiper blades ? They would sell and install them, one price. Most gas stations had a soda machine and a bathroom. They didn't have food service, that was left to the local delicatessen. No sir, the business here was servicing automobiles. At some point, during the nineteen sixties I think, some gas stations began giving away free things with a fill up. You could get silverware,glasses,dishes and pots and pans. These " gifts " were provided by the major oil companies in an attempt to get your business. That is when gasoline was thirty seven cents a gallon too ! The big companies had there " attendants " dressed in a shirt and tie. A hat was usually worn and you had to be clean ! No grease monkeys at the pumps, please. Service with a smile. You can trust your car to the man who wears the star, the great big Texaco star. That I think was the beginning of the transition. The transition to dropping your car off and having some stranger work on it. It was out of sight and you really don't know what " service " is being performed. The relationship between car owner and mechanic was fading away. They started adding those middle men. Eventually they moved all those mechanics into centers. Put them out of sight in the back somewhere. There are big signs warning you you cannot trespass in there area, punishable by law. Insurance regulations you know ? What a far cry from the day of the garage. The days when you had your mechanic. That mechanic knew you and your car. He also took care of both of you. It was a relationship. Now, it is just business.
There are still a few garages around, mostly in small town America. We have one here in Greensboro, since 1919. You can still get your car serviced and the man doing the work is the one you will talk to. If you want he will take you into the garage and show you what the deal is. This is no sparkly clean dealership service center, this is a garage ! I love the smell and sounds of it. Nothing like old grease and air guns in the morning ! To hear the clanking of a wrench dropped on the floor, to the sound of a rusted bolt breaking loose, I love it all. The mechanic will talk to you and tell you what HAS to be done and what COULD be done. Different things altogether. The things that have to be done will get you back on the road again, and the things that could be done are the extras. I love choices. The mechanics there are like your primary physician, they know you and remember you. They know your car and remember your car. Makes me remember when you only needed one physician too. Now I may be sent to the service center but that's another story.
I expect one day all mechanics will have to be licensed. It will be an insurance thing. Working on these hi-tech computer controlled things we call cars I am surprised it hasn't already happened. The days of the shade tree mechanic are quickly fading away along with those old garages. It is a shame. The garage was a place to hang out with your buddies and a clearinghouse for local information. Now it is Starbucks ! Good Grief Charlie Brown. If these electric cars catch on we may see the days of the gas station return. The local store just having one pump. Need some gasoline ? Bring your can for filling. Gasoline ? Expensive stuff and dangerous too, I don't know why they even allow it.
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| Now that is what I'm talking about ! Olympic Heights Service Station. IE: a garage |
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