When is a Bargain Not a Bargain

Theresa's car gets a visit to the garage every year in spite of the fact she drives less than 1000 miles each year. Her car is a convenience and takes her to her hair appointments , local malls and anywhere else shopping promises some good fun and good prices. Her car sits in the garage all summer and when we return we start it up and away she goes. Sitting in the garage all summer is not good for the car so we have it checked. This year we neglected to do this and I realized the tires looked soft and the car did not seem right.

I told Theresa that I would look after this but before I had a chance she produced three coupons for a special 34 point checkup and an oil change for $22, $19.99 and $24.95. I left to get the job done and arrived at the first bargain deal and found the garage closed for the day. The second one called Duffy's had 6 bays and seemed busy. I pulled in and registered my needs. After answering all my personal history I turned over the keys and was asked to take a seat.

Before I had a chance to ask how long it would take my car was whisked into an empty bay. I was offered coffee, cookies and magazines so I felt that this was going to be a while. Entering the waiting room half a dozen people sat looking at nothing in particular I broke the silence by saying hi and received no response. These folks were unhappy about something so I tried again. What do you think about the tax breaks to wealthy people? All heads turned and I realized I hit a nerve. The Democrats in the group dove in defending the deal and the President, and the Republicans were loud in proclaiming what a #$%$$#@ jerk we had as President.

I declared I was from Canada and they all agreed I was a socialist and the talk turned to all that was nasty about our country and blamed us for everything including the weather. The conversation cooled and after we all filled our cups with coffee we began to look for a better conversation. There were even some compliments about Canada although none had ever been to Canada but they knew it was cold and we had a good health plan.

A man came into the shop and declared that he had the oil changed less than an hour ago and his car burned up the engine because the oil plug was missing. We all looked at each other and the manager whisked the customer into his office where a heated debate was heard by all of us through paper thin walls. My car was now being serviced and I was about to go out to check the oil plug but a large sign said no one was allowed on the work area.

Finally I was called up to the desk and presented with a bill for $42. I questioned it and gave the coupon but he said that Caddies took 7 quarts of oil and there was an added cost. I just wanted to get out of there so I paid the bill. The manager tried to hide his stress so gave all of us a free next oil change.

Leaving the garage and driving to my next stop I realized that sometimes a bargain is not really a bargain.