Special offer

Never overlook the obvious .....

By
Real Estate Agent with COMPASS DRE# 01339266

Something happened today that made me remember that we must "Never overlook the obvious".

While filling up at the gas station today, I noticed a lady fidgeting around her new Mercedes Benz. Then the station supervisor joined her and they both seemed to be anxiously searching for something inside the car. My curiousity got the better of me so I went closer to see what was happening. Apparently the lady had just collected her new car and couldn't find the button inside the car to release the gas tank cover on the left side of the car (as in the pic above). I offered my assistance.

I walked to the side of the car, and simply unclipped the tank cover. "Voila ... simple as that."

You see, most people expect something more, so they overlook the obvious; namely going to the gas tank cover and opening it manually. The expectation of something more complicated or involved (like a special button or release lever) left the car owner and the supervisor at a loss for what to do.

If I wasn't there they could have done the other obvious thing: "When all else fails, read the instructions".

Comments (18)

JoEllen Stranger-Thorsen
Eustis, FL
Lake County, FL

Where were you when I was doing this exact thing two years ago on my Benz? I did try your method, however my doors were locked which locks the gas cover also. (I had to pull out the owner's manual.)

Jun 20, 2008 06:22 AM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

Thats pretty fun!  Thats your good deed for the day!

Jun 20, 2008 06:23 AM
COMPASS PALM SPRINGS | Stewart Penn
COMPASS - Palm Springs, CA
COMPASS Palm Springs - Broker Associate

It's true - the simple things in life count.

Jun 20, 2008 06:28 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

I thought we had special buttons and levers for everything <<<smile>>> This is pretty amusing.

Jun 20, 2008 07:29 AM
Jane Wallace
HomeSmart Realty - Denver, CO
CRS | SRES, Denver Real Estate

The dealer should have given her an orientation, I had one with my car which by the way I love dearly it's an E-350. 2 year's ago Gas was $45.00 to fill up now it's $75.00 Thanks W

Jun 20, 2008 07:35 AM
COMPASS PALM SPRINGS | Stewart Penn
COMPASS - Palm Springs, CA
COMPASS Palm Springs - Broker Associate

Jane - It's mind-boggling what it costs to fill up.

I know we all use credit cards, but imagine the pain if we handed over actual dollar notes.

Rich - I did chuckle to myself.

Jun 20, 2008 07:55 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Stewart - Great analogy for stating the obvious.  I am finding more and more that we sometimes get caught up that we forget to explain the obvious whether to buyers or sellers.  Great reminder.

Jun 20, 2008 10:42 AM
Karen Webster...Grand Rapids, MI Realtor
5 Star Real Estate, Grand Rapids MI - Grand Rapids, MI

That's something I would do.  As in:

Me: OMG my computer won't do anything!

Somebody else: It's unplugged.

Jun 21, 2008 01:32 AM
COMPASS PALM SPRINGS | Stewart Penn
COMPASS - Palm Springs, CA
COMPASS Palm Springs - Broker Associate

Karen - LOL :) ..... I think we all do that t one time or another!

Jun 21, 2008 03:33 AM
COMPASS PALM SPRINGS | Stewart Penn
COMPASS - Palm Springs, CA
COMPASS Palm Springs - Broker Associate

Anthony - It's true - sometimes we expect more than there is to a situation.

This reminds me of when people say not to try something because it's probably been done before. Maybe it's so obvious that it's never been tried before.

Jun 22, 2008 09:49 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

That was nice of you to help.  So it's not true what they say about people in LA - sometimes they really are friendly.  haha

Jun 23, 2008 11:23 AM
COMPASS PALM SPRINGS | Stewart Penn
COMPASS - Palm Springs, CA
COMPASS Palm Springs - Broker Associate

Georgina - I find most people to be friendly and relaible to deal with.

The "myth" that everyone is flakey is simply not true. I think it all depends who you choose to associate with. (Thanks for reading) 

Jun 23, 2008 11:26 AM
Nancy Larson
I am a licensed referral agent in NJ - Hutchinson Island, FL

Again another true story. I borrowed my gf car and I was going down the turnpike and had to pay the toll and the windows would not open with the window button....now how did I know they have child proof locks, my children when young had the car seat that was in the front seat with a horn attached to it...lol

Jun 25, 2008 01:17 PM
COMPASS PALM SPRINGS | Stewart Penn
COMPASS - Palm Springs, CA
COMPASS Palm Springs - Broker Associate

Nancy - how times change :)

A few years ago I had a friend who rented a car at the airport. She wanted to open the window to pay the parking attendant, but couldn't find the button to open the window.

What she didn't realize was the was no button ... she needed to wind the window down with the handle ..... (and that's also a true story)

Jun 25, 2008 04:37 PM
John LaRocca
LaRocca Inspections - Burbank, CA

I just love little things like this.

It's a little bit like when you are looking for your sunglasses everywhere and they're on your head or searching frantically for your cell phone while you're talking on it!

Jul 02, 2008 12:03 PM
Latonia Parks
Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV - Fayetteville, NC
Certified Military Relocation Expert

I almost overlooked the fact that it was a MB.  There are so many examples of overlooked things, i.e., people, places and things.

Jul 02, 2008 12:12 PM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

This is funny only because it happened to me.  I borrowed my husband's MB years ago and couldn't figure out how to open the gas tank either.  

Jul 06, 2009 05:06 AM