Thursday 20th November 2008
Guess what?
The Government is currently investigating regulating wheel-clamping companies. The Ministry of Transport is investigating apparent exploitative activity “by some wheel-clampers nationwide”. No kidding!
The Press this morning has some marvellous stories about disabled motorists being clamped!!! But the part of the story I like best, are the statements by the National Operations Manager of the New Zealand Wheel Clamping Company.
Now there’s a company name I would change if I were him. It must be a bit of a downer at a dinner party. “What do you do for a job, mate?” “I’m with the New Zealand Wheel Clamping Company.” “Yes, we clamp people’s cars – some of them disabled!! Well if they weren’t when we started, they’ll certainly be disabled by the time we’re finished. 50 bucks and you can take your old disabled body back home!”
And the best bit is, where the Operations Manager for the New Zealand Wheel Clamping Company says that “wheel clamping is a difficult job but a rewarding one from positive feedback we receive everyday!!!”
Now is this possibly what the PR people call “spin”? What is positive feedback for a wheel clamper??
“Hey mate; you’ve done such a nice job of clamping my car there! Nice finish. Can you just help me manoeuvre my wheelchair a little closer to my car so I can admire your handiwork a little more! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Orange is such a beautiful colour, isn’t it? It suits your complexion. And aren’t wheels without a clamp so boring! Gosh darn, gee-willickers! I don’t have 150 dollars to pay you…why so cheap though? Heavens! The work you clampers do is worth a lot more than that!
You under-value yourselves.
Look, now that you have so successfully clamped my car – and good on you too. I hope you get a lot more positive feedback… Do you mind if I live out the rest of my life in this car park? Would that be okay?
One other thing: you offer such a good service. Do you mind if I trick my aged old mother into coming down to this mall so you can clamp her??
Then we can spend a lot more time together in her twilight years!!
This is Gary McCormick doing the thinking for you.