8:00 Wednesday
After having two nice days off work in Kansas City, I drove home with no car problems. Who knew that I would get into my car this morning and turned the key and, (what?) nothing happened. Maybe it's a battery or an alternator. "Keith, help. My car won't even turn over". "I'll be home in a minute. Looks like we need to jump it." "I'll take it to the Superior dealership where we BOUGHT it and where it's STILL UNDER WARRANTY. They'll take care of me. After driving gingerly to the dealership, I go in where they give me the nice treatment and tell me, "We'll see if it's the battery or whatever and give you a call before we do anything." "How much will that be?" "The battery is $80 plus $42.50 for the labor (ouch)." "Okay, but call me before you do anything." I'm thinking Vaughn Battery will give me a deal on a battery and not charge labor. Besides, it might be the alternator.
3:15
"Have you had a chance to look at my car yet? I skipped lunch and I'd really like to leave at 4:00 today." (Man's voice) "No, we haven't. It'll take about an hour to figure out the problem. We'll call you."
3:22
(Nice woman's voice) "Ms. Lea, it really won't take that long. Actually, he's getting to it now...wait... yes, it's the battery. By the way, batteries aren't covered under warranty." (My voice) "Well, I'd like to take it to Vaughn because they don't charge to put the battery in. Just pull it outside the shop." "Yes, Ma'am, but it will be $42.50 for our diagnosis." Pause, with much confusion.. "Go ahead and put it in (rrr)" "Good, we want our customers to be happy. I'll be there to pick you up in 15 minutes. It will be ready by then."
3:45 at the dealership:
(My agitated voice, after Keith gets upset because we don't have a lot of choices here) "Okay, let me get this straight. No one told me you'd charge me to look at it." "Yeah, we should have worded that a little different." "Why, in the first place would a 2 year old car have a dead battery?" "Well, Nissan puts those cheap 36 month batteries that usually don't last that long (24 months?)." "So, what do I have now?" "You have an 84 month battery." "So, if this battery dies before 84 months go by, you'll replace it with no charge?" "No, it's protated, we'll give you a discount on the new battery, depending on how long it's been....up to 36 months." (Are you seeing a pattern here?) "Does this receipt say it's an 84 month battery?" "No, but we'll know."
5:15
Feeling totally violated, I drive my Nissan to Sonic. I can't go to Summerhill and work out with teary eyes, they'll think I'm a wuss. I think this deserves something good from Sonic. Besides, I have a $2 gift card that was given t me as an award at work (in lieu of candy, because I was on a diet). I'll get a malt. After my malt is delivered, I give her my gift card and...there's nothing on it. They gave me a gift card with no money on it! Who knew?!
