My Advice Is Reliable

(Customers often call before their reservations to find out what models of car are available.)

Customer: “Hello, this is [Name]. I have a rental this afternoon.”

Me: “Yes, ma’am, I see your reservation right here.”

Customer: “What kind of car do you have for me?”

Me: “It looks like I have a [midsize, foreign-made car] for you today.”

Customer: “Is that a reliable car? I have to drive all the way to [Location two hours away].”

Me: “…Reliable? Yes, it’s reliable, ma’am.”

Customer: “But it won’t break down?”

(I reassured the customer that our cars are regularly maintained in general and that I had not had any complaints about the car I’m putting her in, which was true, but I really didn’t know what she was expecting me to say…)