My car was running a little rough, so I took it into the shop. I described the symptoms to a bored receptionist who took the keys and told me to have a seat.
The first thing that happened was a girl rolled by with a computer on a cart to check my insurance. I pay $567/month to an insurance company in case my car has a problem, but she informed me that as of last Thursday, my plan was considered “out-of-network” by this shop. I said I always come here and hadn’t changed anything, but she said that anyway I would be responsible for the full cost.
That seemed odd to me, but I got back in my car and drove to a different shop I’d never been to, and they said they took my insurance.
After another wait, my car was moved into a bay where a guy checked the gas gauge (3/4), my tire pressure (a little low), and my windshield wiper fluid (ok), and then moved the car back out into the lot.
An hour later a mechanic came by and asked me what the trouble was. I said it was running a little rough. “Sorry to hear that,” he said. “Been in any accidents lately?” “No.” “Any long trips?” “No.” “Putting premium in the tank?” “Not very often.” “Ok, we’ll take a look.”
He proceeded to take a sample of the oil, brake fluid, and coolant and sent them off to a chemist for analysis. It didn’t take very long – about 45 minutes.
Pretty soon, the chief mechanic came by. “So what seems to be the trouble?” I said it was running a little rough. “Accidents? Keep it full of gas? Change the oil regularly?” No. Mostly. Yes. “OK. We’ll take a look.”
Not long after, they wheeled my car down the road and took a bunch of photos and x-rays and scans at a Scan Shop.
Finally, they said to leave it overnight, so I did.
The next day, a different mechanic greeted me. “Well, nothing showed up on the scans. The air filter was dirty, so we changed that. And here is an order for gas treatment – you can’t buy this at NAPA except with this order.”
At checkout, yet another person. I asked how much I owed them. She looked at me, “You’re all set!”
About a mile down the road, the car started running rough again.
Then the bills started rolling in: scans, overnight fee, chief mechanic special fee. A lot of it was partially covered by insurance, but I hadn’t met my deductible: $1205 total. A month later the chemists sent me a separate bill. Then two months later, I got two more smaller bills marked “PAY URGENTLY OR WILL BE SENT TO A COLLECTION AGENCY!”
Car is still running a little rough. 😆
@spruce112358 saidNext time buy a Toyota.
My car was running a little rough, so I took it into the shop. I described the symptoms to a bored receptionist who took the keys and told me to have a seat.
The first thing that happened was a girl rolled by with a computer on a cart to check my insurance. I pay $567/month to an insurance company in case my car has a problem, but she informed me that as of last Thur ...[text shortened]... ed “PAY URGENTLY OR WILL BE SENT TO A COLLECTION AGENCY!”
Car is still running a little rough. 😆
@AThousandYoung saidA 5 yr old Toyota will outlast many newer more expensive cars.
Tough to do with the tariffs
@spruce112358 saidA lemon problem, I guess. And Fine Print!!! But my capitalist mind is thinking.....Hmm, $567/month is $3000 in 6 months. I think I will NOT buy said insurance, and banking on the fact that a car will be OK for 6 months, any repairs thereafter would hardly be more than $3k, I will take that chance and be prepared to pay for repairs out of pocket. If the car never has such problems, I will be up $3000 and it can be a down-payment on a rental house!!
My car was running a little rough, so I took it into the shop. I described the symptoms to a bored receptionist who took the keys and told me to have a seat.
The first thing that happened was a girl rolled by with a computer on a cart to check my insurance. I pay $567/month to an insurance company in case my car has a problem, but she informed me that as of last Thur ...[text shortened]... ed “PAY URGENTLY OR WILL BE SENT TO A COLLECTION AGENCY!”
Car is still running a little rough. 😆
I have seen ads for such insurance, and for "Title Loss", a tremendous fraud, and would avoid them.
@AverageJoe1 saidThat's quite the insult - saying a human body is "a lemon." I guess for some it is true. But we are all stuck with our genetics. Don't smoke or drink or overeat! 😆
A lemon problem, I guess. And Fine Print!!! But my capitalist mind is thinking.....Hmm, $567/month is $3000 in 6 months. I think I will NOT buy said insurance, and banking on the fact that a car will be OK for 6 months, any repairs thereafter would hardly be more than $3k, I will take that chance and be prepared to pay for repairs out of pocket. If the car never h ...[text shortened]... I have seen ads for such insurance, and for "Title Loss", a tremendous fraud, and would avoid them.
If car repair went like this, people would be up in arms. But we accept it for healthcare. That's my point. I would love it if there was no health insurance and we paid cash for *most* healthcare because prices would drop through the floor. 😆