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No longer on the river and, again, an empty nester. Back to living on Fleming Island and making some more friends!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Let's try this again

Yay! This time it worked---got my new tires and my car 'tuned-up'. Or is it??? There is no such thing as a tune up any longer with the modern engines but there are tests to be run on a vehicle to ensure all things are operating at peak performance. I am, however, suspect of what they actually did to my car. Getting my foil hat on again....

After my false start on Monday, I was glad to get there today to find the tires ready to install. Alex, the guy who took my reservation last Friday for Monday, checked me in at Sun Tire, went over the list of work for my car, and I left. I walked over to Aron's with my Bible study booklet and Bible, ready to settle in for what was estimated to be an hour and a half appointment. At one point during my lunch, I looked up from the table and saw my car still sitting where I parked it, which concerned me. A minute or two later, it had been moved.

When I came back, my car was parked behind the building, not in a regular spot. A different young man was in the service check-in and I asked him about the status of the car. He pulled out the 'chart' and mentioned four tires...as he read aloud. I said, "Wait! I only needed two tires!" and he said four were delivered. In checking with the technician (i.e. guy who changes tires), only two were installed on my car. Whew!

Alex had priced tires which were supposedly $3 more than the tires I had last time, an 'off-brand', and I agreed to the BF Goodrich ones. However, when he showed the price for two, it seemed far more than $3 more per tire. I had my paperwork with me from the tires purchased in March after the 'rod in the tire' incident which showed more like a $50 increase in price per tire. 
                             
This other young man took the paperwork and was searching prices, etc., and thinks that Alex must have 'fat fingered' something when keying the info in (ahem, ahem) and now I had a better price. Good thing I noticed that!! 

Then, I asked him about the service work and he said they found only two items with recommendations. Odd, but these are the same two items they sold me in March!!!!  It makes we wonder if they needed changing back then at all. He claimed he needed to retrain or whatever his technician (i.e. filter salesman!!) so this wouldn't happen again. They have to do a better review of people's work orders before they try to sell them something not done in the last 6 months. Rascals!!! "Let's see what we can sell that lady today...." I am more than just a pretty face, I think they realize that now!

When I paid the bill, nearly 3 hours later, the total cost for the service and tires was the original price quoted for the tire purchase. No more fat fingering in my direction, because I carry my service papers with me. This car is starting to cost me money, realizing it is 5+ years old and on its 3rd set of tires already. And the repairs from hitting the steel rod in the road...

But, I did get my homework done for class tonight and enjoyed half a small Stromboli in the process, so it's good!