My Rule of Three Story …

Remember the Rule of Three says – essentially – to call three times.  It says you have to make 3 calls to get the  answer you’re looking for.  If you stop at call number 1 or 2 you’re finished.

So, for your reading enjoyment, here’s my Rule of Three story …

Call Number 1 (morning)

“I’m calling to pick up my car.”  I said to the lady on the phone.  It’s early 1991 on a Friday and we’re in Los Angeles, California returning from my overseas Air Force assignment in Australia.

“Let me check here Lt Ives.  Hmmm.  You’re car is still on a boat somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.  Not due in for another month or so.  Call us back in a month to check again.”  Came the amazing reply.

My mind started racing.  “Call in a month?  What is she talking about?  I have to report to my next duty station in Ohio.  That means I’ll have to go all the way back to Los Angeles to pick up the car then drive it back!  Or pay to have it shipped from LA!”

“But, we sent the vehicle early from Australia.  It should have come in weeks ago.  How could it not be there?”  I pleaded.

“Sorry, we don’t have it.  Call back in a month.  Bye.”  She finished the conversation.

Call Number 2 (late morning)

“Are you sure the car is not in?  Could you please check again?”  I asked a nicely as I could.

“Yes, we checked.  I told you that when you called the first time.  Why don’t you give me your phone number and when the vehicle comes in we’ll give you a call and you can come pick it up.”  She explained.

“But, I’ll be in Ohio!  I’ll have to come all the way back from Ohio to pick it up!”  I told her.

“Well, you should have allowed enough time for the vehicle to arrive.  Now, there’s nothing we can do about it.  You’ll just have to wait and then make arrangments to pick up your car when it finally comes in.”  Was her very bureaucratic response to my pleading.

Now What?

I was in a big bind.  Our plan to get across country to Ohio was to use our car.  Now, we’re told the car is not here.  So, what do I do?  Do I buy airline tickets to Ohio our of my own pocket?  Do I hire a car?

Then when the car comes in, what do I do?  Should I fly back out to LA to pick it up?  Or, should I could pay to have it shipped to Ohio?  And, what do I use for a vehicle in Ohio while I’m waiting?

The whole exercise was becoming a giant headache as I weighted up my options.

But, the nagging question was … “How could the vehicle not be here in LA?”

I shipped it way in advance to avoid this very problem.  It had to be here.  There has to be a mistake.  I can’t just leave LA without exhauting every possibility.  I’ve got to make every attempt to locate the vehicle before giving up and making alternate transportation plans.”

So, I decided to call again.  I had an idea; a question.  I had to ask …

Call Number 3 (early afternoon)

“Hello, this is Lt Ives calling …”  I started as politely as I could.

“I thought I told you to call back in a month!”  Came the non-customer service reply we’ve come to know and  love with most government departments.

“I know you did but I just had to explore one more possibility before I start booking airline tickets.  You see I was wondering … is it possible that there may be another place where the car came in?  Is there a second depot in LA that we might check?”  I asked in a last ditch attempt to find my car.

“No!  This is the only depot.  I told you your car has not come in.  Why don’t you believe me.  How many times …  (Pause) … Lt Ives, would you hold for a minute please?”  Came the disjointed and uncertain response.

I waited on hold for a short while when the lady came back on the line.

“Lt Ives, we found your car.  It was in our other lot across town.  We’ll have to drive it to our lot.  But, won’t be until Tueday because Monday is a holiday.  Give us a call on Tuesday to come pick up your car.”

My jaw dropped.  My eyes glazed over.  A huge sense of relief and amazement came over me.

What if I didn’t make that 3rd phone call?

The rule of three in action!  Make 3 calls.  The rule of three says you’ll get the answer you’re looking for on the 3rd call.

It worked for me.