When you find a good mechanic - stick with them.
These are words to live by.
This summer has been one of the hottest on record in Charlottesville. I mean, seriously, how am I supposed to ride a horse or watch Riley ride her horse in that kinda heat? And Denton, God love her, how is she supposed to play golf in that heat? Am I required by law- to be outside- in the sun- on a golf course- to watch her in it? I don't know the answer to that question.
Where am I going with all this in a post about Scott's car? Scott drives a 1998 Audi A6 Quattro. He LOVES this car. (I love it because it is paid off) I also complain constantly about the repair bills for this car. Audi is not cheap to fix EVER. A light bulb is like $700 - OK, maybe not $700 but close.
So in the midst of the heatwave summer fun, his AC compressor goes out. No AC. It is like 95 at 8am and 98 degrees at 9 pm. HOT-AFRICA HOT! He has to drive to / from work in a button down shirt (long sleeve) and long pants. He needs to be presentable at work - not look like he took a shower in his clothes on the way to work.
So he calls Audi- they give him a quote. He also drops car off at our mechanic - who is awesome BTW- they give him a quote. Please note the price is over $1200. He then pokes around and someone (who shall not be named) gives him the name of these Serbian dudes that repair import cars. They are cheap!
Let me begin this by saying they are 2 brothers and their names rhyme. They work 7 days a week, holidays and are open til 8pm or later at night. They are from some eastern European country with heavy accents. I will not name the business because I fear for the life of my family. The bay of their garage has a 1984 Chevy caprice, or some such vehicle, with flames down both sides blocking the entrance - it is the only way in / out of the workbay- it's like the door ... I am "sceeered".
Scott's car was dropped off back in mid July. They replaced the AC compressor after 2 weeks we have the car back. It is making a really horrendous sound when the AC is on now, turn off the AC - no noise. We take the car back. They begin replacing alternators, ignition switches, ect.... no dice. They try another AC compressor, the car sounds like it is revving up to race the salt flats in Utah for the land speed record.
During all this, I have been driving Scott to work and home from work. It is wrecking my life. And the lives of my children. Riley doesn't have time to get her horse ridden, Denton doesn't have time to get in 9 holes of golf.
Scott calls "the brothers" every few days for an update. No, it's not ready or they'd become "disconnected" and then no one would answer the phone. At this point, I tell Scott he needs to get the car and take it to our mechanic and be done with it. Although, I warn him, he needs to grovel and beg forgiveness from them (they had ordered the parts to fix his car when he turned on them and went rogue with the Serbians - not cool)
Last week they promised the car on Friday, then Tuesday, then Thursday finally, today (Friday) we picked up the car this morning. Scott went in while Oliver and I waited in the truck. He was in there so long I thought he'd been shanked or something. But he got it back! And now has an appointment with "our mechanic" whom he will never stray from again... if he does he will need to purchase a liquor scooter to ride to / from work. Because Karen's Shuttle Service officially went out of business today - Sept 10, 2010
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