Sometimes Your Car Doesn’t Start…

You know, you’re getting ready to go to work, shoes on, coat on, bag grabbed, out to the car, key in the ignition and… Nothing. Not even a Crrsk, no shzzt, Vroo—oo—DOOM. Nope, just nothing.

This was how Chef and I started a Monday recently for one of our cars. Chef returned and set his stuff down and laughed, “Well, at least it’s stuck in the driveway?” He tried to jump the car to no avail either. Then the game becomes… How do we get the car that won’t start to the mechanic? Can someone come out here to at least get it started?

Many years ago now, I found an auto shop I LOVE: Flat Black Automotive. I probably picked them because they had so many positive reviews on Google back then and they are worth every 5-star! My favorite thing about Flat Black Automotive is every time I call in, Mike answers. Positive attitude. Ready to help. No doubt in my mind, the ease with which Mike explains what the heck is happening with my car is what keeps me coming back — And the fact these mechanics are excellent at what they do, have the accolades and ASE-certifications to prove it, and have a great turn around time. I truly adore Mike and the entire team at Flat Black.

So, when in doubt of what to do car-wise, (after calling my Dad of course, the mechanic of my LIFE), I called Mike. Know anyone who can tow a car? Of course, Mike did. He gave me some recommendations and one of them was Jeremiah of F.A.S.T. Towing — Friendly, Affordable, Salvage & Transport - F.A.S.T. Towing.

This was the second time I had ever had a car towed in my life. The first time it was the same car on the freeway and I skittered to an off-ramp but didn’t make it far… I feel like I might have called Fast Towing back then... That towing friend also dropped it off at Flat Black for me, where I left a chaotically sad voice mail explaining what happened for Mike and his staff to enjoy when they got into the office on Monday. Which reminds me, Flat Black also has a key drop-off box which was a lifesaver for that adventure.

Anyway, back to the car in the driveway — I gave Jeremiah of F.A.S.T. Towing a call, he answered right away, and I explained the situation. I said I was on his timeline. He gave me a time the same day and he appeared on the dot to scoop up my car.

It was obvious Jeremiah was an expert, excellent at his job, and well-experienced. He jumped in my car, rolled it backwards (hanging half-in-half-out of the driver’s side door), down the hill and onto the towing flatbed with ease. Locked it in place, I paid with a tap of my credit card and in less than 3-minutes was watching my car cruise away on the truck.

Fast? That was warp-drive towing!

I asked Jeremiah if I should follow to the auto-shop and he informed me I didn’t have too, which if I was in a hurry was great, but any excuse to bother Mike at the front desk is fun and I wanted Chef to explain what had been happening with the car since I hadn’t been the one driving that car the few days prior.

So, we followed along laughing as we spotted our car on the towing bed. We all arrived at Flat Black Automotive. Explained our woes to Mike, who gave us our timeline of when we’d get the prognosis of the car. And off we went to El Sueñito for linner to celebrate the success of getting the car where it needed to be thanks to all the lovely folks in Bellingham.

Back on the road!

Overall a true success! While I hope I don’t have to call for a tow truck anytime soon, I know I’ll be calling F.A.S.T. Towing to help get my car to my favorite mechanics at Flat Black Automotive for whatever repairs it needs from now on.