Now THAT'S User Support!
Quoted from an email I just sent to the head of my day-job's IT department and HR:
This evening, as I was preparing to leave, my car's electrical system suddenly crapped out. No power, no turning over of the engine -- even the power locks and gearshift didn't work.
Not being particularly automotively-minded, this sent me into a state of panic.
In looking through my car's handbook, I figured I needed to check the battery and the fuses. I opened the hood, but could see nothing in the gloom. The parking garage of our building is dark, and I have no flashlight in my car (something to be remedied, indeed!).
I came back up to the office to see if I could beg, borrow, or steal a flashlight to check out the electrical issues. [M] and [K] came back down to my car with me. (User Support has a whole new meaning, here!)
When I tried to start my car when they accompanied me, it STARTED. I popped the hood again, and the [day-job] IT department quickly figured out the problem.
I just got back my car from some collision bodywork last week. Apparently, what happened was that the screw holding down the bracket that holds the car battery was either never replaced or not screwed in tightly enough. This caused the connections to loosen, denying my car of power.
With great speed and insight, [M] and [K] figured this out. They tightened the battery connections, and even found an appropriately-sized screw to fasten down the bracket!
They are my heroes.
I ask that this "going above and beyond the call of IT duty" be added to their records, and figure on their reviews for this year. Because not only did they ease my panic and fear, they helped me get my car going again.
(I'll check the bracket tomorrow morning, before I come in; if there's a problem, I'll hit up my dealership.)
Sincerely,
Chad Underkoffler
[day-job] Chief Editor
In other news, I need to purchase a flashlight and basic tool kit for the car. Recommendations?
This evening, as I was preparing to leave, my car's electrical system suddenly crapped out. No power, no turning over of the engine -- even the power locks and gearshift didn't work.
Not being particularly automotively-minded, this sent me into a state of panic.
In looking through my car's handbook, I figured I needed to check the battery and the fuses. I opened the hood, but could see nothing in the gloom. The parking garage of our building is dark, and I have no flashlight in my car (something to be remedied, indeed!).
I came back up to the office to see if I could beg, borrow, or steal a flashlight to check out the electrical issues. [M] and [K] came back down to my car with me. (User Support has a whole new meaning, here!)
When I tried to start my car when they accompanied me, it STARTED. I popped the hood again, and the [day-job] IT department quickly figured out the problem.
I just got back my car from some collision bodywork last week. Apparently, what happened was that the screw holding down the bracket that holds the car battery was either never replaced or not screwed in tightly enough. This caused the connections to loosen, denying my car of power.
With great speed and insight, [M] and [K] figured this out. They tightened the battery connections, and even found an appropriately-sized screw to fasten down the bracket!
They are my heroes.
I ask that this "going above and beyond the call of IT duty" be added to their records, and figure on their reviews for this year. Because not only did they ease my panic and fear, they helped me get my car going again.
(I'll check the bracket tomorrow morning, before I come in; if there's a problem, I'll hit up my dealership.)
Sincerely,
Chad Underkoffler
[day-job] Chief Editor
In other news, I need to purchase a flashlight and basic tool kit for the car. Recommendations?