We’ve Never Seen A Tokyo Drift That Far
I am sitting in the lobby of a Toyota dealership waiting while my car undergoes maintenance. A man comes to the counter and begins to quiz the poor worker about the parts that are going to be put in his car.
Customer: “Look, I just want to make sure it’s going to be good American parts in my car. None of that overseas stuff. It’s the principle of the thing you know.”
Worker: “I understand, sir.”
Customer: “I’m not saying overseas stuff is bad for them, they’re used to knock-offs. But I’m an American. I demand quality for my car, not that stuff. It’s the principle of the thing.”
Worker: “Of course, sir.”
Customer: “Especially that stuff from Asia. All full of chemicals and cheap. I want the real stuff. Just as good as what was there when it rolled off the factory line. I’m not saying Asian people are bad; I don’t have anything against them. I’m sure Asian people are lovely, I just don’t want their stuff in my car.”
Worker: “I hear you, sir.”
Customer: “So, can you promise that it will be only American parts?”
Worker: “I’m afraid not, sir. Some of our parts—”
Customer: “—Look here. I know how you dealerships do business. You throw whatever cheap stuff you can get your hands on in there to increase your own profit. Well, I’m not having it with my car. I want the real quality stuff, the American stuff. It’s the principle of the thing.”
Worker: “Sir—”
Customer: “I drive for a hundred miles or however long the warranty is for, then on mile hundred-and-one it breaks and I’m back here getting another replacement. I’m not having it. No more cheap stuff from China or Korea or whatever place you are getting them from. I want guaranteed American quality. It’s the principle of the thing.”
Worker: “I understand your frustration. I assure you—”
Customer: “—I want you to “assure” me that the parts are going to be American. If you don’t have any on hand, I want you to order them. I’m willing to wait, but I’m not going to have any more overseas s*** in my car.”
Worker: “We have the highest quality products that will work in your car, and I can offer you an extended warranty if you would like.”
Customer: “You’re not listening to me. Even if your overseas stuff isn’t “cheap” I want to buy American. Support our businesses. It’s the principle of the thing.”
The conversation is still going on when my car is called. I’m texting my husband the story as it goes on, and we wonder how he could think a company called “Toyota” was American.
