Bill King’s Brake-O
Hours of Operation
In my formative years, when advertising was more educated guess-work and less scientific? Local airwaves were bombarded with a specific ad, about Bill King’s Brake-O. I even used such a service, same name, back in the day, old Austin days. Turned the rotors on the front of the truck.
But the advertising slogan, the pitch and the push, it was about customers arriving at “Five minutes to Six,” and the follow up was that the store would stay open to fix the problem.
Sets a good model for customer service.
Why my e-mail is always open. But anything else?
The two locations I’m working most frequently, the shop in Austin, for example? I have to perform a check-out before 5:30. Since I’m long-winded, and even though it doesn’t look like much, packing up can take a few minutes, I have to close any business by 5. Simple as that. Their rules.
I am verbose and for the dollars, everyone wants more time. I tend to cut off at 4 PM, as it’s just easier. I can squeeze in two, after that.
Back in El Paso, usually the January shows, and at least one summer show, some of us would stay as late as 8 PM, squeezing in maybe four or six more readings. There was a slang term, derogative, for the readers who stayed late. That promoter put up with the late check-out. Kind but cranky soul.
In Austin, there was usually a grace period of an hour, but even then, years of different promoters experimenting with times? It was polite to not linger past 6:30. That was then. This is now.
The current promoter in San Antonio, nominally Capricorn, seems kind enough about allowing a little extra time, but trying to do a reading while everyone around me is tearing down?
There should be two take-away points:
- Nothing starting after 4 PM (1600 Hours)
- E-Mail me to guarantee a slot in my schedule.
Walk-ins are always welcome, but I prefer a few days notice to schedule, to guarantee a time.
This is not Bill King’s Brake-O. I can’t afford the ire of the counter help so I won’t be staying late. Show a little respect. It’s not me; it’s the rest of the crew.
Show some respect for the workers.
Bill King’s Brake-O
Early pandemic, I started with this version: Bill King’s Brake-0.
Vincit Qui Primum Gerit
Originally, I found this as a part of the Army Air Corps Supply Command, and the image was an infantry soldier with a rifle, supported on the wings of an eagle. Short-lived army division, responsible for air-supply to remote battlegrounds, circa World War II. Old history.
There are two google options on translations, and I suspect neither is the correct one. The original intent, “He who arrives first, wins” being the intended message of the motto.
That’s my source. “Show all work.”
I’ve co-opted it to mean, show up early, get on the list, early, get there first, better chance to see me.
Vincit Qui Primum Gerit
This isn’t Bill King’s Brake-O. The one who arrives first wins.
Hashtag SorryNotSorry
