So, last night my alternator failed. Just after I got off of Soldiers Field Road — right in the middle of the road. Call Liberty Mutual Roadside Assistance ($4 a year, like simple AAA service), very pleasant service operator. Here’s a rough transcript of the conversation:
Liberty Mutual: Are you and your vehicle in a safe place?
Me: Well, not really, I’m in the middle of the road at a busy spot.
LM: Ok, would you like police assistance? I’ll conference them on the phone.
Me: Great!
(Spoke with the police dispacher, said an officer would be along soon)
LM: Ok, now that we’ve taken care of that, let’s get towing set up. What’s your insurance info?
Me: (gives info)
LM: Ok, hold on a moment. (pause) The service call has been set up. You’ll receive a confirmation call with time estimate from us, and the towing company should also call you.
Me: Fantastic. Thanks a bunch.
LM: Not a problem, call us back if there are any other issues. (End call)
So far, so good. I hear from the towing company (Pro Tech, out of Waltham), they’ll be 20-30 minutes. I’m thinking no big problem, it’s not too late yet, and I’m really close to home, but it’s getting pretty dark, and you can’t see my blinkers very well since the battery is almost dead. Cops should show up soon though.
25 minutes later — No cops. A couple have driven right past me though. Ah, there’s the towing company. Stupid police, thanks, I don’t feel safe, but I guess you’re in a hurry to get to the Dunkin Donuts up the street. We get the car on the truck, he drives it to my apt, drops it in the parking lot behind, we’re good here. I’ll replace the part myself.
Next Day
Well, I went, bought the alternator, went to my dad’s house, borrowed his tools, and came back to Boston and got to work. Crap, I can’t quite get to that bolt. Out to the store, buy another tool, ok, now I can reach it. Crap, I can’t get this thing out, or the new one in. Ok, maybe it’s time to let the professionals have a whack.
I call NTB, they quote me $313 to put in the new alternator (labor only). Um, wow, ok. That’s a lot of money. Let’s call around, ok? Brighton Motor Services, 1/2 mile from my house, $85-$150. Laughs when I tell him about NTB. Promises it wouldn’t be anywhere near that price.
Next, I need to get my car there. I call Liberty Mutual again, and yes, the Assistance program will cover it. Sweet! I get the car to the shop, he takes a look at the position of the alternator, and says “Yeah, it’s definitely going to be closer to the $150 amount.” No problem I say, it’s still a whole lot cheaper than NTB. He said I’d have it back by tomorrow afternoon. I’m excited, and thank him for both the low cost and fast turnaround. His response? “Not a problem. I’d like to keep you as a customer.”
I’m just a Joe off the street, but he treats me as if I’ve been going there for years. It’s family run, him and his dad, with a bunch of mechanics. Small, only 2 bays, but dang, they move fast. I appreciate good service, and it’s definitely a place I will return to. And the gas is inexpensive too. And full serve, for the lazy days.
And did I mention that of the 30 years they’ve been in business, they’ve been members of the Better Business Bureau for the last 18? Gotta love it.
