04-07-2004, 07:54 PM
Quote:But just because you shop around and check work sets, doesn't mean the relationship has to be adversarial. Maybe I just have a differnet connotation set for that word than others and maybe we are in complete agreement on this except for verbiage.
That would be my fault; "adversarial" was used in contrast to "trusting" in my mind. A better word is out there, but I can't think of one at the moment. By "adversarial" I do not mean conflictive or confrontational... I meant it as keeping your own best interests foremost in your mind. "Being cautious and not blindly accepting the offer" comes as close to what I meant as anything. This applies even in cases such as ShadowHM suggested, where a mechanic has done service for you for decades. Still, shop around; if nothing else, it will reinforce your decision to stay with that mechanic.
Another example of my "adversarial" relationship with service providers: Auto Insurance. I've been with the same brokerage and the same insurer for almost 10 years now. They know my voice on the phone, and treat my daughter like a princess when we go into the office. None of which prevents me, every Spring, from phoning around to several (Five is my magic number) other Insurance Brokers to get quotes for our auto insurance. Neither conflictive nor confrontational... but I'm looking out for Number One.
*tips helm*
Garnered Wisdom --
If it has more than four legs, kill it immediately.
Never hesitate to put another bullet into the skull of the movie's main villain; it'll save time on the denouement.
Eight hours per day of children's TV programming can reduce a grown man to tears -- PM me for details.
If it has more than four legs, kill it immediately.
Never hesitate to put another bullet into the skull of the movie's main villain; it'll save time on the denouement.
Eight hours per day of children's TV programming can reduce a grown man to tears -- PM me for details.