Car Service on Monday

 

Red Roses in the Front Garden

The last time I took the car in for a service had been in July, 2021.  I was supposed to bring it back for another service in November, but, our new Covid case numbers were on the rise and I postponed taking the car in.  I wasn't driving it all that much, anyway, so I ignored the dealers' reminders that the car was due for a service.  Finally, last week, I called and made an appointment to take the car in on Monday.  

My appointment was at 9:20 a.m. and I was there, at the dealership, on the dot!  The service technician ran off the list of services that were due - oil change, check fluid levels, tire rotations and alignment, etc., etc., etc.  It would come to $XXXX.  I handed him the coupons that I had received in the mail from them towards various services and the estimate was still, $XXXX - $xxx.  Of course.  This is why there is a line item in my monthly budget for car maintenance and repairs; I don't put it in a separate account, but, I have the funds earmarked for such expenses.

"How long will it take?", I asked.  "Oh, probably until lunch time, maybe later."  Sigh.  They used to offer a free ride back home, but, they didn't seem to do that, anymore, and, in any case, that would have left me having to find a way to get back to the dealership to pick up the car.  I was planning to wait for the car, no matter how long it took.  But first, I made sure he had my cell phone number - there was one time when I sat in the waiting room, for hours, until past 6:00 p.m. because the technician called my home phone number and left a message that the car was ready, even though I had told him that I would be in the waiting room!  Then, I made my way to the waiting area.

They had remodeled the building since I had been there, last; the big sales floor was now the waiting area and the former, rather small, waiting area was now some offices.  There were two seating groups with upholstered arm chairs and a big screen TV, individual tables with some not so comfortable looking plastic chairs,  high bar stool type seating along a counter with charging stations, etc.  I chose to sit in one of the arm chairs as that seemed the most comfortable seating option.  Except, these chairs had extra deep seats - good if you are tall, I suppose.  Shorty me, at barely five feet tall, would have my legs sticking straight out if I sat all the way back to lean!  I ended up putting my tote bag and purse behind me, as cushions so I could lean back!  

Once seated, I pulled out the crochet project I had taken with me and worked on that, while I watched the entire morning program on the channel being shown on the TV!  I normally don't watch daytime TV, but, now, I watched the talk shows and even an episode of a soap opera, before the afternoon talk shows came on!  All the while hearing the "soft rock" music being piped in, as well.  

I wore one of my N95 masks while I sat in the waiting area, but, I was about the only person with a mask, there.  The office staff and salespeople weren't wearing masks.  The vast majority of other customers waiting for their vehicles to be serviced or waiting to buy or lease a vehicle weren't wearing masks, either.  One or two customers came in with their masks on, but, they pulled them down or took them off while waiting.  I was very glad I had a N95 mask on and had recently had my 2nd booster!  

At noon, the service technician came to see me - they checked the car and changed the oil, but, my battery (from 2018) was low and my tires were worn (they are the original tires, I believe, and have 41,000+ miles on them); he recommended I replaced the battery and all four tires, of course.  They had a special on the tires, he assured me - buy 3 and get the 4th one free (I had seen the sign as soon as I walked into the building).  I've experienced dead batteries (once while on the freeway, which was rather scary; I managed to coast to a shoulder) and a tire blow out while driving (a previous car), so, I said to go ahead and replace both.  "How much longer would that take?"  "Oh, another 3 hours or so."  Well, it's a good thing I didn't schedule anything else for the day!  The good news was I didn't have to replace my brakes, yet.  Well, thank goodness for that!  LOL.

I asked him if there was anywhere with a seat outside to eat the crackers I had with me and he said there was a bench at the very back, in their parking lot.  I went there and took my mask off to eat a couple of crackers and drink my water.  Then, I went back inside to wait.  I finished the skein of yarn I had taken with me, so I couldn't crochet anymore.  Instead, I pulled out my crossword puzzle book and did a few of those.  Finally, the technician came to tell me the car was ready and I went to pay and collect my car.  I was admonished to bring it in again in four months, even if I don't drive it that much, to have the fluid levels checked and a tune up done!  Oh, joy!

It was 4:30 p.m. when I left the dealership - 7 hours after I went in and $2,275 poorer!  But, I did receive two free bottles of water while I waited and a coupon for a free car wash!  Yay!  LOL.  

I was tired when I got home!  But, I took the trash cans out to the curb before I came inside and rested a bit, ate a snack (crackers, cheese, half an apple) and had a cup of tea.  Later, I watered the front garden and did two loads of laundry.  I had the last serving of soup with a piece of toast for dinner, chatted with friend R, replied to blog comments, and video chatted with my daughter.  

Today, I am grateful for:
- Getting the car serviced, new battery, new tires, didn't need new brakes this time
- A comfortable waiting room in which to wait
- Time to crochet while I waited
- N95 masks
- Being able to pay the bill for the car service and new battery and new tires, etc.

Today's joyful activity was crocheting while I waited for the car to be serviced.

Plans for Tuesday:
- Relaxing
- Putting away the laundry
- Meal planning and cooking

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?