Just Because...: Seriously, What Every Gal Needs...

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Seriously, What Every Gal Needs...

After this week, I've come to realize that when a gal gets her first vehicle she needs jumper cables, learn how to put in oil & where the dipstick is (no not the latest boytoy - the thing in the car that tells you "oops - there is no oil"), where the jack is should some knight not change her tire, an AAA Membership AND "Auto Repairs for Dummies".

When I was 18, my dad gave me a set of jumper cables and I had them up until recently when I went looking for them in the trunk and they were not there. My friend needed a jump start to her car and the cables were M.I.A. Also - on Friday, my check engine light came on so I called the service dept. and the stupid tech tells me "Is it red" (Doh - it doesn't TURN red) and "Is it blinking" (Doh - noooo). Needless to say, I was a bit "cranky" and yesterday, his boss and I had a lovely discussion about what should have been said, etc.

First of all - the reason I go to the dealer is because I've had such a bad time years ago with service shops where I know my legal rights with a dealer and they can't pull that crap on me that a normal service station might do (like the one when I was in college where they would break something else just to jack up the costs and I'd have to come back).

So - today, I go into the dealer and who's there to greet me but the Saturday idiot (we'll call him J.) AND J. proceeded to fight with me about what was said on Saturday. What I wanted to tell him was to cut it out because if I'm willing to put what someone said into an affidavit, the individual best learn not to mess with me. And then he had the nerve to talk carspeak and arrogant. Whatever, I zinged him back and told him to get the shuttle please so I can go to work - 45 minutes later they FINALLY find someone. The same person who's been drinkin' coffee for the past, oh, 45 minutes. So now I'm really late for work and pissed off.

Well, he calls me and rattles off a HUGE list of stuff (again in Carspeak - PVCElbow Something-Rear Vaccuum Valve Replacement-Induction -Injection-Serpentine Belt-Transmission Fluid Flush-Tune Up-Oil Gasket Pan Leak-etc.-etc.-etc.) and I had to stop him when he brought up I needed two tires. Boy, I was on to him then! I told him I was already aware and getting them somewhere else (Doh - Costco). His response "Well then I won't tell you about your alignment problems". Mind you, when I was totaling up everything he told me, already I was well over $1,100.00 and much of that was not necessary. SO, after weighing my options, I told him he was going to do only the three most vital things - the others were NOT necessary at this time and I was going to examine my options. J. then told me that they might not "have the parts" and would have to order them. Oh that was it. It was on and poppin'. AND I was wearing my "Don't get b*tchy with me" Red Platforms. I. Don't. Think. So.

After some sage advice from family and friends, I called J.'s boss "G" and told "G" that we (the dealer and I) might have to break up our formerly happy relationship. I also told him that I am seriously considering taking my car to another shop because J. and I were not EVER going to get along. I also told G. that I didn't appreciate J's idea of fighting with me when J's verbal banter on Saturday opened the dealer up for liability and, in turn, quite possibly the manufacturer. I told G. to print out everything that I've done with them for 5 years for my records and I'm going to marinate on it and we'll see what happens. Needless to say, they are not my favorite puppies right now.

Apparently, what I said worked - 10 minutes later they miraculously found the parts and LaLa will be back to new. Granted its the price of my couch and then some but still. Thank GOD for emergency fund. Good news is, I called H.'s cousin's job and they are more than willing to take my car from now on even though they are not a Mercury Dealer. Remind me to hug David Maus Toyota. At least there I will NOT have to worry about b.s. and padding the bill. AND - they won't make me wait 45 minutes for a shuttle while the driver gets a coffee. And, the piece de resistance - they are next to the Town Center Mall. Shopping while waiting - that's something I can fully support. J. however, notsomuch!

Labels: Random Mess

Posted by Lys :: 2:46 PM :: 1 comments

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Thursday, March 22, 2007