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Subject:If People Bought Cars Like Computers
From:Wizzer Redford
Date:Fri, 28 Oct 94 7:04:34 PDT

General Motors doesn't have a help line for people who don't know
  how to drive because people don't buy cars like they buy computers, but
  imagine if they did....
          ===    ===    ===    ===    ===    ===    ===    ===
 
  HelpLine: "General Motors HelpLine, how can I help you?"
  Customer: "I got in my car and closed the door and nothing happened!"
  HelpLine: "Did you put the key in the ignition slot and turn it?"
  Customer: "What's an ignition?"
  HelpLine: "It's a starter motor that draws current from your battery
             and turns over the engine."
  Customer: "Ignition?  Motor?  Battery?  Engine?  How come I have to
             know all these technical terms just to use my car?"
 
   ---
 
  HelpLine: "General Motors HelpLine, how can I help you?"
  Customer: "My car ran fine for a week and now it won't go anywhere!"
  HelpLine: "Is the gas tank empty?"
  Customer: "Huh?  How do I know?"
  HelpLine: "There's a little gauge on the front panel with a needle
             and markings from 'E' to 'F'.  Where is the needle
             pointing?"
  Customer: "It's pointing to 'E'.  What does that mean?"
  HelpLine: "It means you have to visit a gasoline vendor and purchase
             some more gasoline.  You can install it yourself or pay
             the vendor to install it for you."
  Customer: "What?  I paid $12,000 for this car!  Now you tell me that
             I have to keep buying more components?  I want a car that
             comes with everything built in!"
 
   ---
 
  HelpLine: "General Motors HelpLine, how can I help you?"
  Customer: "Your cars suck!"
  HelpLine: "What's wrong?"
  Customer: "It crashed, that's what wrong!"
  HelpLine: "What were you doing?"
  Customer: "I wanted to run faster, so I pushed the accelerator pedal
            all the way to the floor.  It worked for a while and then
            it crashed and it won't start now!
  HelpLine: "It's your responsibility if you misuse the product.  What
            do you expect us to do about it?"
  Customer: "I want you to send me one of the latest version that
            doesn't crash any more!"
 
   ---
 
  HelpLine: "General Motors HelpLine, how can I help you?"
  Customer: "Hi, I just bought my first car, and I chose your car
            because it has automatic transmission, cruise control,
            power steering, power brakes, and power door locks."
  HelpLine: "Thanks for buying our car.  How can I help you?"
  Customer: "How do I work it?"
  HelpLine: "Do you know how to drive?"
  Customer: "Do I know how to what?"
  HelpLine: "Do you know how to drive?"
  Customer: "I'm not a technical person.  I just want to go places
             in my car!"

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