Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Regards:
Oldbearcat
That can happen! The newspaper columnist was trying to solve the problem of a neighbor or home mechanic who does faulty work and the brakes don't work at all or poorly. His response was you have to get the brakes fixed correctly because if you are in a serious accident you now know the brakes are faulty and the owner of the car is responsible.
It sounds like these DIY guys here know what they are doing so they are confident there won't be a problem. I am just saying often the people who can least afford it try saving money by having a hack do their brakes, and it can be more costly in the long run.
In the case of your father, the dealer screwed up, but they would be responsible if there was an accident, or in this case, if the brakes go up in smoke.
I guess the lesson is don't use an amateur mechanic for something as important as brakes.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When you take your car in for service you never know how good the person is that works on your car. That’s why I do the things I know how to do myself. It just so happens that I know, or at least I think I know, how to do brake work so I do it. If you have no idea of how to do something you have to rely on someone else.
Experience is great and we’d all like to have the work that we want done performed by the most experienced person at whatever place we go to. Having said that, I posted a while back that one of the best tire balance jobs I ever had done, up to that point in time, was done by a kid that just got out of an auto mechanics training program back in the late 70s.
I bought Michelins tires at K-Mart and this kid showed me how their new fangled spin balancer worked. He took the time to do that because he was very proud of that gizmo and just as proud that he knew how to use it. When I went back to have the tires re-balanced in about 6 months (taking advantage of the lifetime balancing I paid for) I ask where that kid was. I’ll never forget what the manager of the shop said to me, “he doesn’t work here anymore. We just couldn’t pay him what he was worth. He works at some dealership now. I wish I could have kept him”.
Like I said, it’s the luck of the draw when you have someone do work for you. If I wasn’t turned off by the poor work that I received back in my younger days, I wouldn’t know how to do the things I do today. Cars, decks, water heaters you name it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
It does pay to be able to do some things yourself. Just yesterday, I had a clog in the drain pipe in the basement. I took everything apart to fish out the clog. In the process, a brittle piece of pipe broke. I was able to get it all fixed properly after a quick run to the home center. I can't imagine what that whole job would have cost if I had to pay someone. :sick:
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
When we arrive in Key West on the 27th, it promises to be 80 degrees. Hooray! Jimmy Buffett, I'm coming! After a month of carpenters and painters, I'm so ready for a road trip. I would love to leave sooner, but we have to help with church services Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Besides, my wife is feeding my little family of 9 Friday and Saturday. Christmas Day we'll all do dinner at the Pinehurst Hotel---poor wife has to have a few hours to pack. I'm trying to be the helpful husband. I've washed two sets of Chrismtas china and stemware by hand, polished the silver, done all of the laundry, had both cars serviced, and did the grocery shopping. The wife decorated the house, wrote the Christmas cards, and did the Christmas shopping. It's a team effort that seems to work. At our age, we are so blessed to be able to do all of these things---and have each other to share them with during the holidays.
Richard
So, finding an independant shop that you trust, which often will have good, long tenured technicians, is important. Partly for the "don't get ripped off" factor, but also for confidence that they will do the job right.
I know the place that I have used off and on for 25 years (father started, now son runs) is like that, and they live off of referrals and repeat customers to stay in business. If they start letting some hack off the street screw around and cut corners, they could be out of business quick. Plenty of competition out there.
Heck, one reason I am willing to take a flyer on a used BMW now is there is a very good, well regarded indy (just BMW and MB) shop close by
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It’s more than just the money but that’s the reason why a lot of people do things. That point was never more evident than in the house Son #2 bought about 9 years ago. EVERYTHING I go into when I do something for him is waaaay screwed up. He knows it himself and he says, “how could anybody even think that is the way something should be done”. :sick:
When he had his home inspection I was there to see what was going on and the inspector said something like, “this guy should have kept his hands off this house. I almost feel bad for what he’s got to do to sell this house”. My Son was almost ready to back out of the deal and he had a good reason to do it but the guy knocked about $6K off the price and that was to fix the safety items alone. There was gas plumbing and electrical stuff that required attention. That $6k was the quote from the professional guys to do the work. We did it for about $700 in material cost so he pocketed the rest. Personally, I don’t see how it could have possibly cost that much to fix but that was the quoted price from the registered trade guys. So we went with that number. The house was then inspected again and passed with flying colors. Those were only the things that were visible while a home inspection was performed. He‘s still finding things, that although not safety items, they are things that he/we fix as they are found.
He owes me BIG.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
We're headed out early Wednesday morning for Playa del Carmen, Mexico for a week. There's nothing like spending Christmas day by the pool, next to the beach, with staff fetching you drinks on demand and having all food prepared for you - no dishwashing required. Don't worry - my netbook is coming with me.
re: HGTV - that channel is on almost continuously on Sat/Sun mornings in our house. I keep getting instructions on what to say and do if approached in a home improvement store by a guy (Ahmed) and a camera crew. "Yes, I am trying to do a major project; no, I have no clue or skills; and yes, I would love it if you would come home with me."
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Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Richard
You have the right idea about being waited on and pampered during the holidays. Though we always stayed at home on Christmas Day for the food, opening of gifts, visiting, etc., we found that the Pinehurst Hotel last year was just wonderful. They have nine food stations, each decorated with a different Christmas theme. The food is out of this world---with every choice imaginable. They decorate the lobby and dining rooms with 12 beautiful and unique Christmas trees. In addition, they create a genuine gingerbread village of houses, buildings, and people. Each dining room has a harpist and a pianist to entertain you. After dinner, we sat in the Grand Lobby and opened our gifts. My wife loved not doing the cooking and dishes that day. With the family here for the entire weekend, I figured that the hotel would be a nice added gift for the wife on Christmas Day.
Hope you have a great week in Mexico. We expect a full report when you return. As for HGTV, I watched "Holmes Improvemnts" last night. Though I never understand how he does all of those house repairs, I still find it interesting to watch. People who have skills working on homes, cars, water heaters, etc. amaze me. I always use tradesmen and service people---based on recommendations from others. Overall, I've been pretty lucky over the years. Believe me. With my range of skills, I probably save money hiring others to fix a problem. :P
Richard
Cost me $350. I have to admit the plumber guy used a long snake and said the kitchen drainage pipe wasn't on a big enough slope. We were away and the food particles from the garbage disposal unit coagulated.
I think the price was ridiculous but what can you do at that point....tell him he is dishonest and try someone else.
Now, before a long trip I let the water run for a long time, and I just amortize the cost.....shouldn't break for 10 years so it really cost $35 a year. :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Well.... you are making me come clean now. The clog was created by yours truly. I was peeling potatos and I overloaded the garbage disposal and the remnants didn't get ground up enough and that is what caused the clog.
No more of that, into the trashcan from now on.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Not to mention the cats....
Yeahhhh! Maybe we won another one over to Team Bimmer.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Potatoe peels! I think my problem was cantelope peels. Now I don't take chances, I just do the small stuff in the garburator now. Better to carry it out then spend $350 to get the plumbing fixed.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Good luck! What are you looking for. I like the ride and comfort of the 535 but I miss the fun of the 328 and especially my wife's 335. The 3 Series is just more of a BMW....built more for fun than luxury.
The 535 is going to be awesome on the highway for a long trip. But, it is like a cross between a BMW and a Caddie....not that there is anything wrong with that, I just like more "feel of the road".
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
the sweet spot seems to be a 2005 right now. Looking at a d 400r 325i, with premium package. Base suspension.. Pretty much "used entry level"!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I have a friend at tennis and he has a 2004 2 door with 150k miles on it. Says it drives well and only needs regular maintenance.
Also, I found it interesting at work, 2 people are considering Suburus. One ladies son just bought one. And one lady wanted a VW Golf, but the Suburu would actually cost less. They both like the idea of the AWD. A lot of people who live in snow and icy areas really like the benefits of AWD, especially at an affordable cost. Subarus reputation for good solid reliable cars helps a lot too.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Sorry, but Ahmed is no longer with the show. The show went in a different direction.
Regards:
Oldbearcat
No, it’s better to get a good garbage disposal.
When we were looking at what would become our second house, I noticed it had a Kitchen Aid disposal that even had a reversing switch. I ask the woman how she liked it and she said, “fine but it won’t chop up potato peels”. :confuse: The first disposal unit we had was fine too until it was asked to chop up potato peels. When I got tired of snaking out the drain (yeah I do that too) I bought a 3/4 HP Kenmore unit. Wala, no more problems. In fact I took the one I had in the first house and put it in the second house. I put the original not-good-for-potato-peels original in its place. Ever since that first good for only the small stuff disposal, I have never owned a disposal that couldn’t handle any food items that were put into it.
I buy only Kenmore units. When we built our house in SC the builder almost laughed at me when I said I wasn’t going to buy the unit he suggested at the plumbing supply house he used but instead I was going to Sears to get a 3/4 HP Kenmore. When we did the kitchen redo in January 2010 I went to Sears again but this time I got a 1 HP unit. The following summer my SIL was helping Mrs. jmonroe by cutting up some fruit for a fruit salad for a cook out. I noticed she had some banana peels sitting off to the side of the sink. When I ask her what they were doing there she said, “I never put banana peels down a disposal, you not supposed to do that”. I said, “you can in this house, throw em in there”. She was shocked when they were gone in no time. She yelled out to my brother saying, “come in here, I want you to see something”. He said, “thanks, now she’ll want one like that too”. :sick:
That 1 HP gizmo chops up everything. So did the 3/4 HP units but this one hardly blinks at whatever is thrown into it. We always threw all of the watermelon rinds into all of our disposals with no problems. However, this thing seems to be delighted by the challenge. On top of all that, the garbage doesn’t smell. I only take the garbage out once a week. I guess you can say that’s the lazy mans way of doing it but I like it like that.
Car thing I like HP. 6 and 8 cylinder cars and 1 HP disposal units.
A little suggestion about going on your vacation:
Maybe you do this but just in case you don’t. Just before you walk out the door, shut off the water at the meter and open a hot and cold water line (at the lowest sink in the house if there is one), after shutting off the water, to relieve the pressure in the lines. Then shut them off. Very bad things happen when water lines break when you’re gone for weeks. I consider it mandatory to do this when you live in areas where the temperature drops below freezing. Also, turn the water heater to the vacation setting. I ALWAYS do these things when I go on vacation, summer or winter. If you want to hear a horror story, talk to my next door neighbor who goes to Florida for the winter.
FWIW, I even have Mrs. j in the habit of shutting off the water to the washing machine and bleeding off the pressure before she leaves the house. It’s hard to believe but she does this every time and she has done this since we had our first house.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Remind me not to buy one of your resale houses....just joking. One friend bought a new house and the seller took every roll of toilet paper and light bulb with them......jeez.
Good advice about shutting off water when going away. We do that, drain the pipes and put water heater on vacation as you suggested. Leave air conditioner on to 84 in Florida and heat at around 60 up here.
The insurance company said your home is not covered for water damage unless someone checks it every 48 hours, or unless you shut off the water at the source and drain all pipes. It is much easier and less expensive to turn the water off. We will fill some containers with water so friends can come in and water the plants.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I’ve heard of people doing that so don’t think it’s just a Canadian thing. :sick: I had a realtor tell me that it happened to one of her sales once. She said it was not a pleasant negotiating process and the seller thought that he was being ripped off so he figured that he’d take everything that was legal to take and he did. Why he felt like this I don’t know because I’m sure the prospective buyer didn’t hold a gun to his head. This woman said that she now goes to the home with the new owners immediately after the closing with light bulbs and toilet paper that she carries in her trunk so that her clients don’t feel they are getting ripped off if it happens to them. She said it never happened again but for the fun of it she now tells her clients not to agitate the owner during the negotiating process and tells them the story about the toilet paper/light bulb thing. I wonder if the ole ‘jipster’ was grinder like this when he sold his place. :surprise: Personally, I don’t want someone’s left behind toilet paper because it’s probably not my brand. The bulbs are OK.
As for me taking the disposal from my old house, I told the realtor I was doing it and she said the Insinkerator brand was probably a better selling feature than the Kenmore anyway. I really didn’t give a squat about that. All I wanted was the Kenmore that I knew was a good unit.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Kirstie, my fiance and I tried to get on an HGTV show (or is it DIY?) called "Man Caves" with ex-football star Tony Siragusa. We took pictures of the basement, etc. We got through a few intial screenings (it was looking good) and then it died on the vine. Oh, well.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Just for kicks, get the model number and check out the following list:
Who Makes What for Sears
When I bought my house, the PO insisted on keeping an ugly victorian shade they had bought in England. I used that as a bargaining chip - they could take the shade as long as they left me the snowblower.
Worked like a charm.
I’m pretty sure I told this tale before.
When we moved back to the Burgh from SC and bought our house in ’98, I installed a 3/4 HP Kenmore. About a month after that my sons and I were in the family room watching a football game while Mrs. jmonroe was cleaning up the kitchen. All of a sudden there was a huge racket coming from the kitchen then it stopped and started again a few times. Finally Mrs. j said, “you better come in here. I think a juice glass fell into the disposal”. I took it out and turned it over. Out comes a few pieces of glass a little bigger than your large fingernail and a few tablespoons of white sand. I figured that disposal would be gone in a month or two for sure; not so. When we did the kitchen redo in January 2010 I installed the 1 HP unit just because of the age of the old one. It was still running strong so I gave it to my niece who just had hers go bad. That thing is still running today.
If your disposal is “fairly new” and it’s making more noise than usual you should take it back to Sears. They’re usually guaranteed for at least 3 years. I think our 1 HP job is good for 7 years.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I understand that Sears has everything made for them by some appliance manufacture but I have had success with the Kenmore disposals while some people I know (Son #1 included) have the name brand Insinkerator (who is probably the guy who builds the Kenmore) and they have had problems with theirs within 10 years. It could be that Kenmore has their units built to better specs. All I know is that I like them and when the time comes I’ll buy another one.
Since you’re in the plumbing biz, what do you think of the Grohe brand of faucets? When we redo the bath (any week now) we’re going to have at least a 5 foot vanity, maybe bigger, so I’ll be buying 2 faucets. While I don’t have a problem with getting the stylish one that Mrs. j likes I never had a problem with the American Standard brand that’s on the old vanity now. I’m more concerned with function than looks and I’m also concerned about parts availability if/when the cartridge ever goes bad.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I make it a habit not to comment on the products my company represents nor disparage the competition. The comments below are from personal experience and observance.
Grohe makes a nice shower valve - I have 2 in my own home and have had one cartridge go bad in the 15 years they've been in. In fact, Grohe makes valves for other brands. I'd say they make a nice mid price product and would be confident that their faucets are as good as their shower valves.
American Standard offers some nice products although they have been offshoring much of their manufacturing to Asia and Eastern Europe. I have some faucets from a high end division of theirs that have been reliable and are very pretty.
I recommend staying out of the home centers and visiting some independent kitchen and bath dealers. You'll see a dazzling array of styles, prices and finishes. If you visit 3 or 4 you'll soon start to see the same brands. That'll tell you the dealer is confident in the brand. Showroom sales people like only 1 thing better than spiffs and that's no product problems. Unless the spiff is so good, they won't sell you a product that won't work well as they hate dealing with the after sale issues. Don't be suprised at $400 and up for a full brass, mid to high end faucet.
Good luck.
This public service announcement brought to you by tyguy.
We saw the Grohe at an independent plumbing supply that I used for some raw plumbing stuff over the years. Our contractor suggested going to this place since they are now into the remodeling stuff too. I then went online with the model number because this place was wicked with their prices. Low and behold Lowes carries, via their internet, the same faucet for lots less and so do a lot of other internet plumbing supply places. I don’t mind spending even 20% more that the Lowes price to deal with a local mom/pop outfit but almost double makes me consider buying elsewhere.
I know remodeling is big bucks but I ain’t falling for that.
Thanks for getting back to me.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Many internet dealers are nothing more than drop ship customers for large wholesalers and may leave you stranded if you have a warranty issue. At least at a B&M dealer, you have someone that will try to help you out.
‘tyguy’ when we lived in our first house you were charged a “grinders fee” if you had a home disposal. So when I installed our first disposal I was now qualified for this modest fee. In the early 70’s it was about $2.50 a month. Then a couple of years later this fee all of a sudden disappeared. There was a guy that lived up the street that was in management for the local water authority, so since we were somewhat friends, I asked him why that happened. He said that they just installed a large upgrade to their system and no longer had to charge for the extra burden that home disposals put on the system. However, commercial establishments still continued to pay. I said I know our township is on the high end for water but this elimination of the “grinders fee” was surprising. He said something like, “grind away, you’re now getting your money’s worth. Plus it was hard to enforce anyway”.
Especially avoid oils/greases as these are likely to accumulate in your pipes and eventually plug off drainage completely.
Good advice. We comply with that. I haven’t had to break out a snake for a loooong time. When we use the disposal, and we use it a lot, we use plenty of water to carry the stuff away.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Its funny when you are into something or in the business you know all the brands. I'm a big audio guy and when many people look at my equipment they almost always say "I've never heard of B&W speakers"
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Are you showroom, PVF or wholesale?
Grohe when compared to the lines my company reps is mid level. We rep mainly luxury decorative plumbing lines. We have from a low of $500 faucets to $25K tubs. We don't fish lower than Grohe's price point.
I'm betting your local system installed an upgraded microbiological process to handle higher organic loads. If so then that's great for the community. The upgrade has probably resulted in cleaner effluent from the plant which makes the overall ecosystem healthier. All plants discharge water into some form of waterway, and today's modern plant is almost always cleaner than the waters into which they discharge. Some plants are clean enough to be classified as drinking water. Don't laugh. I'm predicting that in my lifetime we'll start seeing communities routing wastewater effluent into drinking water plants (many communities already do, but for feel-good purposes throw it into a lake or river before it's picked up by a drinking water plant).
Last Saturday we went to the plumbing supply store...an independent who comes up with some really unique and good quality things. I am always intrigued by the newest designs in plumbing.
We were looking for a shower hose thing to take to Florida, my wife loves those things.
I really enjoy seeing some of the newest designs in fawcetts, sinks, even toilets...one model looked like something suitable for outer space.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
Is your water supply from a public water system?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Richard
we did get a neat gizmo at HD. It is a plug that stops anything big (including silverware) from going down, but water can flow past, and you can leave it in when running the disposal.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
There was a metal can in a silo sunk into the ground that was emptied once a week.
After that service stopped, I think we got a garbage disposal.
Saw a black SRX parked in a school parking lot today and thought of you.
Visiting?