OT lots of good people out there yet

I was bringing my family back from vacation on the gulf coast, coming through Collins, Mississippi, the front wheel bearing on the car started to squeal. I pulled off the highway and saw a car quest. I assessed the situation, I had the tire changing tools and a small socket set. I jacked up the car and went to work in the parking lot. A man said "I wouldn't trust that jack, you need to block the car up. I said thanks, but I had to work with what I had. He went into the store and brought me some wood blocks, and proceeded to help me. He told me that I need to change the races also, but I told him that I didn't have the tools with me, and the bearings would get me home. He took my rotor in the store and drove raced out for me. Then he packed one bearing while I packed the other one. He was a great help. I offered him some cash but he refused.
The store. Shep's supply in Collins, ms, was great too. They had to drive to the next town to get parts, and the parts were very fairly priced. They knew I was from out of town, and they could have really stuck it to me. Good to know that there are good folks out there!

don t give up on people. many people have gone out of there way to help me.i myself have helped those who i saw needed help. what goes round comes around.called karma

In 87 I was trying to get from Ft Knox to west MN for my youngest son's 4th birthday. I had just had the heads done on my pickup. In the WI Dells area I developed a miss and pulled into a rest area. While I was checking it out a guy came up and started talking. when I told that I was a soldier and trying to get home and why he said wait a minute, left and came back with a couple of other guys. The shop that had done my heads had not checked the valve springs an one had broken. Chevy 327 in a 72 pickup. The first guy was a racer and the other were from his pit crew. They had the tools to change the springs without pulling the heads. They checked all the springs and had enough in their trailer to get me on the road. I was stopped for a little over an hour. When I tired to pay them for helping me they refused to take any money. Yes, there are good people out there!

Rick

Wish the politicians realised that!

Thought you were going to say "wish the politicians were like that".

And some have less than perfect reputation. Story of good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37

After surgery I would have come home on my own but a couple clamped down and I went with them. It was fortunate because this was a lot harder.
I have always stopped and helped others and when they ask what do you want I simply tell them I helped you today and if it's safe you help someone tomorrow and play it forward.

I stopped for a young couple,that had a flat tire,the husband was on the ground,he was confined to a wheelchair and was trying to break the lug nuts loose with a tire iron and could not get them off (they were on tight) so I had a 4-way tire iron with me and changed their tire for them. When we were done the wife thanked me and told me that they were there for 30 minutes....unbelievable! on a busy roadside......I have helped people and do not take money for helping them. People have certainly stopped and helped me a time or two also.......what goes around...comes around.

Keith

In spite of all the negative publicity Mississippi has gotten lately over a couple laws the last session of the legislature passed there are LOTS of good people here. Of course there are quite a few bad ones too, especially in Jackson where a daily or nightly shooting takes place. Most small towns like Collins are filled with the kind of people you described. Glad to get some good publicity for a change instead of all the negative that both printed and broadcast abundant reporters put out.

For many years, I used to stop to help people that were broken down. Over the last couple of decades, it has become too much hassle most of the time. The last few times I stopped to help:

One time, I stopped to help someone that had stalled out. Turned out that the fuel line had come off. This was a high pressure system, and a critical clip was missing. I told the driver to wait for me (I was close to home) while I got a clip and replaced it SAFELY. Upon my return, some know-it-all decided that he was going to be the "hero" and get the driver back on the road. I returned just in time to avert a catastrophe. KIA was going to jury rig the fuel line rather than repairing it SAFELY. I installed the correct clip and ended up arguing with KIA over the "quality" of the repair/

Another time, I stopped to help a young couple on my way to an auction. Right from the start, they treated me like I was Jack The Ripper, stopped to do them harm. I finally just left after a rather indignant lecture I gave them. Something like "I offered you the services of a PROFESSIONAL mechanic to get you on the road FOR FREE. You treated me like a criminal. I'm out of here. Good luck with your breakdown."

Seems like every time, there is some smart alek that has a short answer and an unsafe repair job. I mostly gave up. From this point forward, I just casually inquire as to what the problem is, and politely offer my services to help the "victim" to get back on the road. At the first sign of mistrust, I leave. When I offer my over 40 years of automotive experience for FREE, I do not expect to be treated like a red-headed stepchild.