Halogen Lights

If you have halogen lights in your car, you might find this handy. It was news to me this morning, and something that could have caused me some serious problems (like, you know, death). 

Helpful information: I drive an all black Toyota Prius; it was 6:30 a.m.; my city has no auto care/parts store that could have helped; changing these dang lights has taken me 60-90 minutes in the past. 

Last night when I got home from work, I noticed that one of my headlights wasn't working. I just replaced both low beam headlights maybe three months ago (if even that). It really made me mad because those lights are not cheap. Even $40 on a tight budget is, well, a big deal. I was whining to Mom about it because I didn't have it in my budget to spend that kind of money, especially on something I took care of not long ago. I was also tired when I got home, so I decided to forego leaving the house again to purchase and install new bulbs, and opted instead to drive with one headlight for another day until I could get to the store tonight. 

Well, life has other plans. Rude! 

When I got out to my car this morning and started off down the street, I realized it was way darker than I remembered it being from the previous day. I turned my lights off and on again to see what the problem was. The problem was I didn't have any headlights. Both of my low beam lights had blown out. It kind of freaked me out because I was worried last night that it might be a fuse problem which would be even more expensive, especially if I had to take it in to get the fuse(s) fixed. 

Anyway, at that point I'd already been flashed by one car and was on the main road leading from my house to the next city. I decided to drive with my parking lights on (I didn't want to blind anyone by driving with my high beams on) and just flash my lights at intersections where cars might be tempted to pull out in front of me. Thankfully, I made it through town without any incident, and when I got to the main street in the next town I noticed an Advance Auto Care parts store with a sign flashing, "Open." 

Hallelujah! 

And then I remembered how freaking long it was going to take to change the dang lights. GR!

So, I pulled into a parking space, sent a quick email to my boss about my situation saying I'd be late, and ran into the store. They quickly helped me find the correct lights (on sale for $10 off - woot!), and as I picked them up I said, "I don't suppose there is anyone here that could help me change these, is there?" The girl that was ringing me up didn't say anything or respond to the question, so I thought, "Okay ... now what?" Next thing I know, a guy comes walking through the aisle in the back, and he's pulling on some latex gloves. He asked where I was parked, the girl gave him the lights while I finished the purchase, and he took my keys out to the car. By the time I had paid, he already had my hood up and was yanking out the first light. 

As soon as he pulled the light out he said, "Yep, it's exactly what I thought. Who changed these for you the last time?" Gulp. "Me," I said. "Ah, well, you wouldn't have known then, but you actually can't touch these halogen bulbs with your fingers because the oil from your skin gets on them and creates a 'break' in the glass when it heats up. You can see here where it burst." 

Sure enough, there's a big black hole in the old light. D'oh! I could have saved myself $40 (plus!) if I'd known to put on some rubber gloves. LAME. 

He changed out both lights in a jif (about 15 minutes - record time), and I was on my way. Well, I was on my way after I asked, "Is it kosher to give you a hug?!" At which point I threw my arms around him in a hug and he said, "Don't let me get you dirty with oil or grease!" He even took my old lights and tossed them for me. 

THAT is crazy good customer service. Another girl even came out with a flashlight (I was using my phone to light under the hood of the car) and said, "Let's use this light so you don't burn through the battery on your phone." What? So thoughtful! 

Sometimes I'm amazed at the things people will do to help. It didn't used to be uncommon to receive that kind of service. That's the kind of service Dad taught us to give at the family business. Always go the extra mile. Make the customer feel good. Do everything you can to make going there or buying there a good experience. But not everybody or every place does that now, even in smaller towns. We've lost that connection to good customer service, and by customer service I mean treating others like you'd want to be treated. And yet, when I needed it most, there was a whole group of people willing to help me out and get me on my way to work safely. Blows my mind that it still happens. And because of that, I will definitely go back to that store over and above other auto parts stores. 

Win - win. I got new headlights and a safe drive to work, they got rave reviews on my blog and Facebook. Plus, word of mouth advertising never hurts, especially when it's good. Thanks to Dad for teaching me what good customer service means, and thanks to those at Advance Auto Care this morning for being taught the same. 

For future reference, I'll be using latex gloves if/when I have to change those dang bulbs again. And if you have halogen bulbs in your car, take note! Keep your greasy paws off those halogen bulbs or you'll be driving to work in the dark. 

Lesson. Learned.