As if last weekend was not already busy enough, we got the call from our mechanic saying our car wasn't really ready to be picked up. Ooookaaayy.They had the car this time in order to check on the "check engine" light that they had supposedly fixed twice already in the last 2 weeks. So the auto shop owner calls Ben Saturday morning and relays the information to him. I was showering and getting ready for the wedding in which I was to play that afternoon(first time in 7 consecutive weeks that I have personally known the bride -a girl from church). We had just mapped out our plans for the morning trying to decide how much we could get done before we needed to leave for the wedding. When I came downstairs I got the news: Upon returing from a short test drive, the mechanic in our car was careless and drove right into another customer's car. WHAT!So we decided to head to the auto
shop to inspect the damage and get some "evidence" on camera. I was irate. ( Ben is naturally more laid back and he was very calm and polite when talking to the shop's owner.) I, however, had to refrain from much talking at all. Not only was the front all smashed up, but it looked like someone had keyed both doors on the passenger side! It didn't compute with the rest of the damage. AND the idiot mechanic was drinking what would appear to be some soft drink while driving our car and it was spilled all over the console on the inside. Papers and other little things I had in the compartment were totally drenched. I was pulling out soaked stuff and just throwing it on the ground by the car. With the front end damage plus the gouges on the doors, I would imagine they would have to have the whole car repainted. It is not a new car so they won't be able to get away with just "matching" the paint. (Even the retelling of this story is making me irritated again!!) I just hope the car comes back to us in the same or better condition. I'm a little worried about that part of it. The ever optimistic shop owner told us just to rent a car through this past Tuesday and see where things stood. HA.In the meantime, this is what I'm driving. Lydia was scared to get into it that first morning. She still won't get in or out of the van on the opposite side of her car-seat, but she has since made her peace with the "van-car" as she calls it. I know God purposes all things and that this little incident happened for a reason, but it sure has been a cause for extra stress.
Positive things: This van has allowed us to pick up some large items (like Lydia's twin size mattress and boxspring) without borrowing a vehicle. I can be thankful for that! Oh and it is a "free" opportunity to have a long-term test drive of another vehicle. While I wouldn't want this particular van, I can see why people go for these. Oh yes, and I'm enjoying the factory tinted windows and the icy-cold A/C!!! So there you go - my entire post was not spent whining about the car situation!When Ben talked to the insurance adjuster a day ago, they had yet to even look at the car. So, I fully expect to be driving around in the van-car for at least another week.
8 comments:
Josh asked me tonight what was up and I felt like a shmuck for forgetting to ask. I just enjoyed riding in the van. :-) Still no end in a sight, huh?
Well, on the bright side...you now look like a soccer mom =)
I cannot believe that happened! That is so not-hilarious, but sort of. Will the shop owner be held responsible for all of his damagage? Maybe he will feel guilty, and you can ask him to throw in a free window tint, like the van-car! Yes, it is like a bus, uh-hem, but oh-so-roomy (the van-car)!
You know it's bad when the OWNER calls. I'm suprised that they still had the cars sitting in the "accident" location. That's great for you, though. Do you know yet if they will paint the whole car? I once thought that Matt's whole car would get painted due to an accident, but they only did the back end. To this day, you can tell because the car is so old and the clear coat is worn on the rest of the car and very shiny there. Anyway, what is the latest?
What a deal! I laughed at the part where Ben was polite, etc. and you were boiling inside. I can picture this. :)
I hope this turns out well. You can always talk with the BBB for help. I have done that once or twice with good results.
Somehow when I read "mechanic" in Ben's first e-mail, I thought of Sam, and felt even worse for him and you. So, I'm very glad it wasn't him. Also, Ben wrote "wrecked." So, I'm thinking a semi-major accident. So, the pictures also helped me feel better about that. All-in-all, your post both helped me to feel better and gave me a chuckle. Anyway, I will pray that this all turns out well.
Rob
I didn't really cue into the fact that your pictures had BOTH cars in the picture. So, they must have called you immediately! Was there an accident report by the cops, too? Any news from them this week?
The car is now at the body shop with an expected completion date of June 1. The damages totaled about $2,900. Apparently they will not paint the entire car... so we'll see how well they match the paint color and finish.
As someone who had the privelage of riding in the "van-car" last weekend, I highly endorse it as our new quartet-mobile. Come on Jen, you know you want one! This coming from the girl who drives a VW Beetle with car-seat and stroller crammed in the back seat.
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