I received a call from my ”daughter”, who is trying to be independent. Her car wouldn't start. She diagnosed the issue as the battery. Now, I've tried to talk her into getting AAA, but she says it's too expensive. Anyway, I grabbed a vise-grips and flathead screw driver, and went to get her. Yep, dead, as in doornail. No click, no lights, no radio. I will point out that she had her oil changed 3 days ago, and the battery and alternator tested OK.
Anyway, I gave her a jump, and her car started right up, but ran rough--probably because it needs to re-learn everything. Fuel gauge on E, with the light and chime, so I warned her again that she needs to keep it at half or more of a tank, then followed her to the gas station and gave her a jump, then went to autozone to get a battery. Not my favorite place. We asked if they would install the battery, and the autozone lady said ”Yes”. She asked what the car was, but had never heard of Pontiac. Then, she made us go get the battery. Then, she refused to do the install, because ”our guy who does that isn't in today.” Really! So, we asked to borrow the tools. She brought out a plastic case, but couldn't figure out how to open it, despite instructions and arrows on the self-explanatory tabs.
The tool set was a socket set, with a collection of tools that I would've just thrown away. Several duplicate sockets, many missing, none in the right places, and none of the sizes we needed. We replaced the battery (which was full up on fluid) with the vise grips and screw driver. Car fired right up.
Why do these car-ignorant people with no mechanical or customer skills or knowledge work at car places?
