Tuesday, April 26, 2022

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?

22 comments:

  1. At least you got a chance to crochet, though it was an expensive break! My old garage wouldn't always let me wait, but I think the new one will. At least your car is safe to drive now.

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    1. Lyssa, yes, at least I had time to crochet! Nearly finished half the baby blanket I am making! :D

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  2. Oh My Goodness! 7 hours at the dealership and $2275 poorer.
    My stomach dropped reading your blog post! lol
    What a miserable day. BUT
    The other side is, your car is safe and sound for you to drive, you are a disciplined budgeter and I'm sure you are able to pay for the repair and it doesn't present a hardship for you.
    BUT
    7 hours at the dealership!!!!
    ugh
    lol

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    1. Yes, I know. It was a long wait. The technician was saying that he was short of skilled mechanics to work on the cars and I believe him. Maybe I should have taken the car in at 7:30 a.m., when they first opened, but, I would have had to wake up at 6:30 a.m. to do that and you know how much I like getting up that early! :D
      Long years ago, they would provide free shuttle service, but, they don't do that, anymore. Last time, they offered a free ride to my home, but, then, I had to pay to get a ride back with one of the ride services.
      But, I had some crocheting time and now, a safe car to drive around. I shouldn't need a new battery or tires for several years (hopefully). :)

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  3. That was a long wait. It's a good job you took your crochet project with you to pass some time. I am lucky in that my regular car garage is very close by, but I was given the use of a courtesy car while the air conditioning unit was fixed elsewhere yesterday. X

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    1. Yes, it was a long wait. That's wonderful that you were given a courtesy car while your car was undergoing repairs. Many years ago, when I had a different car (different make, too), the dealership would give me a courtesy car if the service would take a full day or longer. But, not this dealership. They no longer offer a free shuttle service, either. :(

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  4. That was a long day, but necessary, I guess. Who knows what you might have finished if you'd taken more yarn with you. :)

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    1. Yes, I guess if I had taken the car in, back in November, it might have taken 3 or 4 hours, because it would have been only an oil change, type thing. Then, I would have had only another 3 or 4 hour wait, this time around, to have the battery and tires replaced. Or, I could have said I'll make another appointment for the battery and tires and gone back another day, but, I chose not to. I think I might have been able to finish the baby blanket if I had taken another ball of yarn with me! :D

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  5. That was a very expensive car service! Just as well you budget for it. I don't really understand the need to go back in four months ... don't you routinely check the fluid levels yourself?

    I'm not surprised you were tired when you got home after a seven hour wait. I think you deserve a quiet, relaxing day to recover.

    I've been dealing with the tax office and then spent the afternoon sorting and clearing in the garage.

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    1. Yes, it was expensive. But, I am not much of a risk taker, so I had the battery and tires replaced as recommended. The dealership does recommend the car being serviced every 4 months. Prior to the pandemic, I used to religiously take the car in as recommended.
      You've had a very productive day! Hope the tax office issue was settled to your satisfaction.

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  6. That was a lot of money to find in one go, I checked the exchange rate for the cost in UK pounds. I'm certain your tyres would have needed replacing with so many miles usage. Hopefully your car is sorted now. We only have one service a year, a full service one year and then an intermediate service the following year along with the annual MOT. That was a long day for you waiting for the work to be done. Our dealership will take us to a nearby town of our choice and come and collect us but not if we have the dog with us so then we have to use the bus. It did make me smile that they gave you free bottled water and a free car wash, you deserved them for sure!

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    1. Yes, car services seem to be getting more and more expensive! Especially if you use the dealership - they always charge you more! But, I do trust them, so will continue to use them. That's great that you only have to do one service a year! These dealers used to offer a free shuttle service home and pick you up when the car was done, then, they switched to a ride home but you have to find your way back when the car is ready. I didn't even ask about that, this time, because I didn't want to have to call one of those ride services to get me back to the dealers. They used to have complimentary coffee and tea, etc., in addition to the bottled water, but, now, they are offering only water! :D

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  7. That doesn't sound like a fun day, especially with a huge bill at the end! Still, at least you can drive with confidence now.
    We had endless cold rain yesterday. It finally was due to stop around 2 this morning and when I woke around 2.30 am, all was quiet. I did go for the mail with my umbrella. I had no ambition to achieve anything much, either, but I have to keep reminding myself of all that there is to be thankful for in this seemingly endless winter!

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    1. It was a long wait, wasn't it? I suppose I could have said I'll come back another day for the battery and tires, but, I thought it was better to get it all done in one go. I wasn't expecting having to pay for new tires, etc., but, it's OK. Better be safe than sorry!
      Sorry you have had cold rain, all day, yesterday. But, spring and warmer weather will arrive, eventually, and then, summer will probably be hot! :)

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  8. Oh wow, servicing a car three times per year sounds rather extreme! We do ours annually or after a certain number of miles. That said, thank goodness you got new tyres if they were as bad as you say. I wonder why they weren't picked up on last time. Sounds like a long and tedious wait but I'm sure at that price the water was extremely delicious and hydrating! 😏

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    1. I don't know; the servicing used to be every 3 months or 3,000 miles with the previous car; this car is every 4 months or 4,000 miles. I no longer drive that much, so, I think every 6 months should be fine, but, apparently not! :D I need to look at last July's print out to see how much tread the tires had, back then. I'm sure I was being overly cautious and probably could have waited to do the tires, next time, but, it's good to know that the tires are new and should be good for another 4 years or 40,000 miles!

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  9. That was a very expensive and too long day! I would suggest you consider looking for an independent mechanic, who might be cheaper and offer a ride. I think taking it in every 4 months seems too often! But hopefully they did a good job and your car is running smoothly now. The comments section has changed, and I can only do anonymous. It's very odd now! Celie

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    1. I've noticed that the comments section has changed on my blog and several other blogs, too! I don't know why - it's not something I did!

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  10. Wow that sounds like quite the adventure - and a costly one! I'm glad it's all taken care of now at least for a little while.

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    1. Yes, hopefully, the car will be good for a long time to come! They asked me for feedback on the service, today, and I said it was too long! :D

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  11. Why does everything take so long to do? It's lucky that you are a patient person and was well prepared for a long wait. It was very costly though :/ Another expense in 4 months time seems a bit excessive too. I only take mine in once a year when they do the MOT which is a legal requirement here.

    Love the roses :)

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    1. Yes, that was my question, too! Why so long? Apparently, they are short of skilled mechanics to work on the vehicles. That's really interesting that your cars only need servicing once a year!

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