Front Struts (2)
Rear Shocks (2)
Front Rotors (2)
Rear Rotors (2)
Front Brake Pads (1)
Rear Brake Pads (1)
Sway Bar Link (2)
Oil Change (1)
Plug Wires (1)
Spark Plugs (8)
tax [$154.62]
labor [$875.00]
The grand total for T-Hoe's makeover was $2,683.27. Again, we were not surprised. I have money set aside for such incidentals, so we're not headed to the poorhouse. I won't even have to pry any of Hick's less-than-$300-a-month salary from his gnarled hard-working hands. It's covered. Paid by check and a trade.
Yes. That's right. Hick did some bartering. "I have a couple things at my shop that Mick wants to trade for. They're worth $1,675.00. So I wrote the check for the rest. Now we owe ME the $1,675.00."
Hmm... why am I suspicious that Hick is making money off the battered carcass of T-Hoe?
Anyhoo... T-Hoe drives like a dream! The steering is firm and not meandering. When I hit a bump, it's a little jolt, not sailing like I'm in The Perfect Storm. At the stoplight, T-Hoe hums nicely, rather than choking like he's about to die. As I'm coming down the hill by Mailbox Row, T-Hoe slows smoothly, not with grabby, whiplash-inducing jabs.
Oh, and T-Hoe seems to have GROWN TWO INCHES! I noticed that when I got out at the Gas Station Chicken Store. It seemed like forever before my foot touched the ground getting out. I wondered if I'd parked differently, over a dip in the pavement. But no. The same thing happened over at 10Box. And in the garage at home. It takes a little more effort to hoist myself up onto the running board when getting in.
Anyhoo... I am relieved to have my T-Hoe back, in much better health than he was before.
That is almost the entire amount of Hick's annual cheque from the senior building! That is why he needs to keep working there, lol!! I am so glad you are reunited with T-Hoe though and that he bartered for the payment.
ReplyDeleteHick works so that T-Hoe may live!!! I am thrilled that T-Hoe and I have been reunited. We will be taking a spin to town in a couple hours.
DeleteReunited and it feels so good!
DeleteHeh, heh! I love that song!
DeleteI should have some work done on my car too but unlike you I don't have the cash set aside. Glad your T-Hoe is running like new again.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find a reasonable mechanic. Or perhaps find a way to barter some of that artwork of your wimmenfolk!
DeleteMy husband just had our Escape in for an alignment. They said the shocks need replacing along with a tear in some boot that needs to be replaced. They quoted over $3300. My husband did his search for parts, and he can do the shocks for $759.00. They really like to pump that labor up. We used to have the best mechanic - very reasonable, but they had 2 locations and during the lockdown, they closed the one in our town. They are missed. So very glad that your T-Hoe is back on the road with new, working properly, parts. Yea!!! Ranee
ReplyDeleteIn his younger days, Hick would probably have done this work himself. After all, we HAD to buy him that car lifter thingy to put in the Freight Container Garage. Which is now cluttered with his storage unit hoard.
DeleteHick was telling me it would probably take more than one day to fix T-Hoe. He described what had to be taken off to get to the struts. The labor on this job was 7 units at $125 per unit. I'm guessing that was per hour. Or half-hour!
I think since Hick OFFERED the trade, he shouldn't be asking for any money back. I think he should remember all the months and months of you travelling in an unsafe vehicle, while he can easily make back that money by selling stuff from his storage units.
ReplyDeleteThe extra height is probably the extra air in T-Hoe's tyres.
Hick deserves to get his money for his merchandise. He shouldn't take a loss. It's the amount of profit he'll get that I'm thinking about.
DeleteHe never sells anything just for "cost." After all, he wouldn't have this "sales" opportunity except for my T-Hoe! So I feel like we're paying him retail price for those items he traded, when we could have just done it for cost. This is why I don't like Hick mixing his business with our regular finances. And calling it HIS money.
I think the extra height is from the new shocks.