Jun 08, 2002
RAY: A few months ago, we needed a part called a "map sensor" for a customer's Toyota Celica. It's a fairly expensive part, so I wanted to check with the customer before ordering one. I called him five or six times, and there was no answer. I realized he had probably given me his home number, and he was at work.
Finally, late in the day he calls and asks, "Is my car done?" I say, "No, it's not done." I explained that he needs this expensive part. And he tells me to go ahead and order it.
I call the dealer. The phone rings and rings and rings, and I look and I notice it's 5:01 pm. All the dealerships are closed! After five minutes of moaning and groaning, I had an inspiration. And the next morning, I had my part.
How did I do it?
TOM: As soon as you said this last week, I immediately thought of one thing: Boom, time zones.
RAY: Bingo. I made a call to my good pals at Toyota of Palo Alto. There it was 2:06. And I said you guys have a map sensor? They said no, but the warehouse does, we'll UPS it to you. The warehouse puts it in a box, and they send it to me. The next morning at 10 o'clock, [WHISTLING] the UPS guy comes whistling along the trail and hands me my map sensor. So who's our winner?
TOM: The winner is Rose McNeeley from Boonesborough, Maryland.
