Stories from the Sales Frontlines

roadburner

I assume you started reading Mankell because you read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series.

Nope; my son and I met Swedish CGI artist Staffan Linder at Wonderfest. He showed a demo reel of his work, which included some of the effects in the 2008 Swedish film Let the Right One In, which was based on the book of the same name written by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist. We watched the film and then bought the book as well as his subsequent novel Handling the Undead. Having developed a taste for Swedish film and literature, I watched the PBS adaptation of the Wallander novels, and here I am.

driver100

. but, I remember milk being delivered... and, my aunt used to have Charles Chips deliver... potato chips and cookies.

Yes, but was it delivered in a horse drawn wagon or in a truck? Probably changed in mid 50s. We used to feed the horses carrots and sugar cubes.

The bread, cookie and donut guy used to give the kids a donut every once in awhile.

Mike reminded me of the milk box. A little door where the milk man would leave the milk, and if I got locked out of the house I could bang it enough and I could crawl through and get inside. No ADT security in those days.

driver100

Having developed a taste for Swedish film and literature, I watched the PBS adaptation of the Wallander novels, and here I am.

There is a difference in Swedish and American books and movies (not saying one is better than the other - just appeal to people in different ways). The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo movie has the Swedish and American version. Swedish version is slower moving but depends more on story line and character development.

There is a British series on PBS called Downton Abbey right now and Americans are loving it. It seems a little slow moving compared to American programming, but the story is about real people in real life situations.

Takes awhile, but once you get into it, you get hooked.

driver100

but I had a Fusion before and things didn't quite work out the way I expected, so I traded it in on the 11 Explorer.

I remember you weren't thrilled with the Fusion at the time. Just guessing but they have probably improved a lot over the years. The one I rented 3 years ago in Florida was a very nice car. It was fully loaded with black leather seats and white stitching. The 4 cylinder engine was good on gas and had a surprising amount of power...I remember getting up to speed on the Sunshine Bridge. I thought it really handled and felt like a full size Ford of the past, and I would certainly consider buying one.

Sunshine Bridge:



It is well worth $1.25 to go across the Sunshine Bridge.....blue water, sun shining, see Tampa across the Bay, planes flying, cruise ships floating by, you can see for miles.....really makes you feel good, and all for just $1.25.

tjc78

It is well worth $1.25 to go across the Sunshine Bridge.....blue water, sun shining, see Tampa across the Bay, planes flying, cruise ships floating by, you can see for miles.....really makes you feel good, and all for just $1.25.

Driver,

You honestly crack me up! I never thought anyone could justify a toll so well!

driver100

I never thought anyone could justify a toll so well!

Cheaper than therapy!

michaellno

Hope the weather in Tampa is nice this week ... my sister is flying there tomorrow for a conference.

driver100

Hope the weather in Tampa is nice this week

Most days should be fine, a little chance of rain some days and one cool day on Sunday, maybe just a high of 60.

Since Christmas I think it has rained about 2 or 3X, and about 75% of the time the temp has been in the high 70s, and maybe 5 days in the 60s.

Everyone says it has been a spectacular January for Central Fl.

10 day forecast:
Tampa - 10 Day forecast

No one says this, but, I think it is hard to predict the weather very accurately here....just too many variables.

jmonroe

When I was a kid, we had a man who yelled up and down the streets and alleys in New York (Queens) wanting to sell bottled "seltzer" on these thick glass bottles with a push lever on top of each bottle which dispensed the soda water under pressure.

In the Burgh the guy didn’t yell up and down the streets, he came to the door every week to collect the old bottles and drop off the new ones. I remember those seltzer bottles were made from very heavy green glass. When I was very young I wasn’t allowed to put seltzer in my glass because I couldn’t control the spring loaded dispensing valve at the top. I’d push it too hard and then there would be seltzer everywhere.

We had a milkman who delivered fresh, whole milk in bottles every other morning at 5 AM.

I remember that too and I remember when the milk was not homogenized and the cream would settle to the top. You either shook the bottle to mix it or the cream could be used for coffee.

jmonroe

driver100

It took a while before I understood the title to the Fifth Witness.

I never heard the term "Fifth Witness" before I read the Michael Connelly book.

I am glad you like reading his stories. Some people prefer Bosch and some Mickey Haller the lawyer. I always like legal thrillers, so my preference is for the lawyer series. I like the way Connelly explains why lawyers do little things, like object even though they know they won't win the point, just to win points with the judge or jury, though the judge usually knows what is going on. Court lawyers have to be pretty crafty to be good, and few things are the way they appear to be.

Staying on topic, I am not sure what is worse, dealing with lawyers or with used car salesmen.

Our lawyer back home said we should get a simple document regarding the Florida home, in case we both die and the Florida place becomes part of the estate. I emailed a lawyer in the area who we were told is very good and honest.

His helper called and said a consultation will be $350! Our whole will that took about 3 hours to draw up didn't cost much more than that! And this is just for a consultation - no document!

My wife and I said, if we both go at the same time, do we really care what happens to the Florida place? Let the state and the estate people fight that one out, we won't be around to care.

tjc78

His helper called and said a consultation will be $350!

I'm not surprised. Lawyers can get silly expensive really quickly. We recently needed the services of one recently and it was $250/hour.

The last time I went with my Grandfather about 4 years ago (estate planning) it was $300 for a 45 minute meeting.

As for your Florida home, why can't the lawyer who drew up your will just add it in?

Sandman6472

My new job has us going over to Tampa and Clearwater and I'm getting over my fear of driving over this bridge. Since these are rental units, the tolls and gas are paid by the company's that hire us. Did have a problem last Friday while going to a Hertz store in Clearwater. We were all given the wrong exit to get off on. That number never came up so I ended up in downtown Tampa. Called my crew chief and he set me straight...I did a u-turn and got back onto the expressway. After stopping at a tire place to make sure I was going in the right direction, I eventually got to the store with my chief talking me to it on the phone. Of course I was the last one there but being the newbie, everyone else was cool about it. Decided then and there that I need a smart phone with an gps app for for just this kind of situation. Looked yesterday and found what I want. Waiting a few days to make sure this is the best move...and also to see what the wife will say since I've said I do not want a smart phone. But I did say this before I got this new part time job so I can justify it that way.
We did a Key West run on Sunday and it wasn't that bad. Hoping to do an Orlando one this week. Have driven a few new Fusions and it is a nice job by Ford...didn't overwhelm me by any stretch but it is a bit nicer than the Camry. So far, the new Optima is very impressive in every category. Haven't driven a Jetta yet but did have a Passat when we did a lot to lot in Lauderdale last week...think it was an SE model. Was nice but really need to take it on a longer drive to give an honest analysis of it. It was on the large size, seemed like a Crown Vic and decided that I definitely prefer the Jetta sized cars so much better. But am anxious to set the cruise in both of them and see what makes a VW a VW.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

Sandman6472

Don't feel bad. I'm to be the co-trustee of my dad's estate and our guy wants $400/hr., totally outrageous, but the others involved still want to use him. He has to go to court in Ft. Lauderdale just to register the two of us a co-trustees before we can do anything else. Luckily, I've hired my wife to do the taxes and all accounting work. When all this got dumped in my lap two years ago after my older sibling died, I didn't like the way the family accountant was interacting with me, she was dismissive and condescending and I decided right then and there that I was gonna find someone else to work with. Since my wife is a CPA by trade and she's familiar with the dysfunctional family dynamic she married into, decided to just let her take over. She had me open a separate checking account for all bills for the trust so there would be complete transparency and no mingling of our funds to muddy the waters. Still, the bank changed it's requirements and I've had to deposit my personal funds temporarily to stay at the minimum balance requirement.
I spoke with the attorney yesterday and he shot down my March 31st completion date and said it could take more time which seems ridiculous. I should've stayed in law school when I went and I could've had all this done already but life just didn't work out that way. I just want this all done already as it's time to move on! I've found that a little money can have damaging effects on family members and the ugliness it has brought out has been scary to say the least. I just want this done!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

tjc78

Definately get the Android phone. The Google Maps GPS is excellent and even displays a picture of the place as you pull up.

Make sure you get a car charger because using GPS will suck the life out of the battery in no time.

If you get the phone you can also ditch your Ipod and load up music on that. Hook it up to the stereo playing music (same cable as Ipod 3.5MM male to male) and the Nav voice will lower the music to tell you directions and then resume the music after she talks just like a built in OEM nav.

It was on the large size, seemed like a Crown Vic

I have a Grand Marquis (Crown Vic's cousin) and have parked next to a Passat. It dwarfs the Passat.

Sandman6472

Have heard that also about sucking the battery life up quickly...had the Civic detailed yesterday and my guy said that first off as we discussed smart phones and what I was going to get. He said the gps works great and would be perfect for my needs. Didn't know that I could move my music over from my Ipod...I have 770 at last count, so wouldn't that much take up too much storage? Would be nice to have one device for everything though, as my backpack has to carry everything I need plus my lunch if I bring one...I need to cut back on taking things on every road trip!
The guy at Radio Shack agreed with my daughter that the Iphone5 is the way to go but I don't want to spend any money on a phone and the Windows phone that my wife has is too confusing for me. I want and need simple, tech challenged here, so easy is imperative for me. And I like Android for some reason. So I plan on doing this within the next couple of weeks and be done with it.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

jayrider

Our Garmin gps isn't any bigger than most phones and works fine. You can even find them used on ebay cheap. No big expense and no contract and super easy to use.

tjc78

Most newer Android phones have at least 4 gig internal memory and a slot to put in a micro SD card, so storage is not a problem. 700 or so songs is probably only 2.5 - 3 gig if that.

Iphones are great, but I prefer Android. The Google integration is superb, and I find them more flexible.

Sandman6472

The wife has a Magellan unit that I might borrow. I'm just not sure how to use it as she always programs it when we go somewhere. Even my daughter has one just sitting in her car which she never uses so that could be the way to go if the wife hassles me too much about getting a smart phone. I'll have to talk to her about it tonight. The one time we did use it to go to the Tampa airport years ago, it sent us to the wrong place and we ended up in a really bad part of town, Ever since then, I don't trust them!

Deep down, I just really want a cool phone since I have gone back to work after being retired these past few years. It would just mean adding an additional $240/yr. to the communications bill for the data plan. I already have 5 cells that I pay for so the additional $20/mth. isn't a deal breaker and I know the wife is planning on getting my daughter who's in pharmacy school one during winter break since she says she needs it for classes. Then it'll only be a matter of time before my boy wants one also but this is the wave of the future, one day everyone will have these smart phones anyways.

tjc78

Our Garmin gps isn't any bigger than most phones and works fine. You can even find them used on ebay cheap. No big expense and no contract and super easy to use.

Yeah, but he is carrying a phone and an Ipod. A Garmin would be a third device and charger. A Smartphone combines all three into one. It really simplifies things.

Another thing that is nice is the Google Maps GPS always seems to be up to date. I've had a few things my Buick's GPS couldn't find, but the Google map always does.

tjc78

she always programs it when we go somewhere.

With my phone I can just speak the address into the phone. Great if you are on the road and can't type it in.

driver100

As for your Florida home, why can't the lawyer who drew up your will just add it in?

Actually, $250 seems on the lower side these days. Our business lawyer charges $400 and $600 is fairly common. That is one reason I have been a little tense, we are trying to get the shares of the company moved to S-I-L and he will pay off the balance of what he owes.

The lawyer has been working on this since the first week of January. It should take one day but he has one excuse after the other. He keeps saying the next day he will do it. He said for sure it would be done Monday, yesterday, but still not done. The longer he waits the less chance the deal will go through. I can't start over again with a new lawyer, this one has all the information and the bill is already a few $1000 with nothing really done.

The Florida home has to be done by a Florida lawyer. The lawyer in Canada can do everything, but, what he writes won't work in Florida unless done here. We may see if a paralegal coud do it. Should be a simple document and I thought it would cost $150. The one here suggested a power of attorney form etc, but all that has been done back home. Like I say, for $350 I could just leave it to fezo, and that's just for a consultation.

driver100

going over to Tampa and Clearwater and I'm getting over my fear of driving over this bridge.

Good luck with the job, sounds like a great way to see Florida. I really enjoy reading your impressions of the various cars. You are giving us good hands on reviews.

The Passat is like a Crown Vic inside, especially the back. My guess it has more leg room than the 535. The trunk is huge too. I would have preferred the Jetta as it is about $4000 less expensive, but, in Florida you always go places withother people, and that makes that back seat so comfortable and easy to use...people love it.

The Passat has a firm but pleasant ride, great handling. In some ways I like it more than the 535. It would be nice if it had more power though, just nice for getting into traffic.

Keep up those reviews.

graphicguy

With all due respect given to RoadBurner, my dealings with lawyers were and are always painful.

This was several years ago, but I met with a lawyer just to see if I wanted to hire him. We talked for maybe 10 minutes, max and I knew right away he and I weren't going to work well together.

I got up from the big wood conference table, in the big Oak covered conference room to thank him for his time, but that I wouldn't require his services.

He then asked me my address. "Why do you need my address?".

"So, I know where to send the invoice?"

"What invoice?"

"The invoice for this meeting?"

"Are you kidding me? How much?"

"The minimum....$250."

That really set me off. I had wished I hadn't needed a lawyer to begin with (son's mother, my former spouse, wanted a change of custody hearing after 13 years of me having sole custody).

After some heated exchanges, the lawyer said..."are you really going to argue over a piddling $250?".

At that juncture, I stormed out of the conference room, out of the office, out of the building.

I did indeed receive invoices....lots of invoices....an invoice every month, for probably 2 years. But, I ignored every last one of them. Finally, they stopped.

explorerx4

NYC,
You can post pics from Snapfish. I originally wasn't able to do it, but figured it out after some tries.
Try right click the image. For me, a window opens up. It has a white section and a gray frame around it.
Look for the URL just below the white box labeled 'Location:'.
Highlight the whole path.
Then come back here and post using the IMG buttons.
There is a way to size the picture.
I had a post it note with how to do that, but my wife must have 'cleaned it up', so I can't find it.

tjc78

That is how I used to do it. I tried the other day and ended up with a blank spot where the image should be.

driver100

With all due respect given to RoadBurner, my dealings with lawyers were and are always painful.

GG, that experience would be very disheartening, but I am sure it happens many times.

I don't say all lawyers are bad, as you indicated. We have a lawyer who did our wills and he is retired, but just works for something to do. Has an office that was a big warehouse and has been divided into offices. Low rent office, but he charges $500 for 4 hours of work.

Even this lawyer who hasn't done a fairly simple transaction that would take 4 hours if he spent some time on it did come through in a crunch. A big multi-national company was trying to put us out of business because we were hurting their business. They had nothing but could have tied us up and we would have to give up because our legal fees could become astronomical. He got them off our back....couldn't have survived without him.

I think if you have a really serious legal issue, you need a lawyer who is very devious, and this experience is proving my theory.

fezo

Driver - great idea of just leaving the place to me. Really appreciate it. You are becoming every bit as generous as Richard!

Well, the Accord's engine melted. 270K+ and my daughter doesn't look at the temp gauge. They had to replace the radiator just to see if the engine survived. Nope. Blown head gasket and who knows what else. So just as I'm deciding to punt and start hunting a nice used car I take another daughter's car in for an oil change and the long story short is I'm having them drop an engine with 63K into it. Cheaper than the newer car and my daughter has grown to love the Accord. I'm fronting the repair and worked a payment plan with her.

Easy, right? Well, while I am looking at cars I see an ad for a 2004 Mazda 6 wagon over the river in PA. 6 cyl. Stick shift. Nice. He wanted $8K for it which is silly but I sent an E-mail saying $6,500 and we're talking. He says come on out we can likely do business. I go out to the mechanics on the previously mentioned oil change run. I come back having to replied to his offer and here's another E-mail from him accepting my offer! I'm going to have it checked out if it's OK I'll be up to 5 cars. This would make the Solara a nice weather car and the Mazda would eventually go to daughter #2 who is still nursing the Celica along.

I'm becoming the Mitt Romney of used cars. I only need an elevator in the garage.

tifighter

I like those Mazda 6 wagons; Stick and V6 is just a bonus...

boomchek

I'm not surprised. Lawyers can get silly expensive really quickly.

Speaking of lawyers I have a mini Sales story.

I was selling a nice younger lawyer couple a new car and was going over the price, freight/pdi/doc fee/taxes.

The lawyers asked me what the doc fee is for and why it's so much ($299). I explained to them what it was and she thought it was a silly charge.

I asked her straight up "don't you guys charge documentation fees to or paperwork fees?"

She replied "well not really" but then her husband added "but we do charge for every photocopy we make for a client". :surprise:

Well that could add up if you have a case with several thousand pages of previous case precedents to photocopy lol.

driver100

I'm becoming the Mitt Romney of used cars.

I think you have a new job.....fleet director.

Not sure how you keep up between buying new cars and fixing old one's in the fezo fleet. That Mazda wagon sounds nice though. Good luck!

driver100

but then her husband added "but we do charge for every photocopy we make for a client".

Sadly, you pay a lot for photocopies, telephone calls, replies to emails, paper clips....every item is itemized.

Not only that but if I email a simple question that just needs a one sentence reply I will get a 2 page explanation, and the final sentence will say, if you need more clarification just let me know. One sentence that should cost $25 becomes a $500 reply.

Every other ad on TV is if you have neck pain, or you were a victim of the Gulf Spill, or if you don't breath properly give this lawyer or that lawyer a call. Isn't there enough work for lawyers without trying to get a class law suit going? I am turning into Mr Grumpy again...................

kyfdx

And, still.... the lawyer was right.... a $299 doc fee is just silly...

robr2

Not only that but if I email a simple question that just needs a one sentence reply I will get a 2 page explanation, and the final sentence will say, if you need more clarification just let me know. One sentence that should cost $25 becomes a $500 reply.

Having recently dealt with a situation, that was the type of thing that drove me crazy. To add insult to injury, the question still wasn't answered.

driver100

I know some people love to cruise. Personally, I like it once in awhile and it is a good way to see a lot of stops with just one step...go on a cruise ship.

But, this ship that left Galveston for a 4 day cruise might scare me from ever going on another cruise ship. An engine caught on fire and the ship is being towed back to Alabama with no running water, no power, and almost no food...they fed people onion sandwiches.

There is no air conditioning so people have put mattresses and sheets out on the deck to get some air. Imagine, no bathroom facilities, no air, no running water (showers etc.) and almost no food, for 4000 people. Ship is expected to dock in Mobile Alabama late tomorrow afternoon.

Carrnival is offering all passengers a full refund and a free future cruise. I wonder how many will take them up on that offer?

driver100

. To add insult to injury, the question still wasn't answered.

That's part of the strategy. I think they teach them how to give you an answer that doesn't really answer your question in law school. It's part of that class called "Billing 101".

tjc78

Driver,

I just got done reading some details about this on a cruising forum (I see GG over there occasionally). It is really a shame what happened. It certainly won't stop me from cruising as this is such a rare thing to happen. This ship had engine problems recently and I guess it just wasn't fixed properly.

Personally, I wouldn't sail Carnival just because they do seem to have more problems than the other lines, but are a giant in the industry. Many people don't realize they own 10 or 11 lines including, Costa, Princess, Cunard and Holland America.

If you remember we were on NCL during Hurricane Sandy and the communication and dedication to our safety was amazing. The captain and crew coudn't have done more to make us feel at ease. I understand that this is nothing like loosing power, but just an example of how in general the cruising industry handles problems.

driver100

Many people don't realize they own 10 or 11 lines including, Costa, Princess, Cunard and Holland America.

I didn't realize they owned the other lines, which offhand I believe are superior...that is, more expensive and so probably fewer problems.

Like I say, for certain situations, I think cruising is great. If you want to see several countries in Europe it makes it easy....and you just have one hotel room and they arrange all the transportation etc. If you just want a break for a few days without driving or having to think about it, it is a great way to get a few days off and it is uncomplicated and you get refreshed. It is probably the best way to see Panama and the canal.

I think though, this could become an even more serious problem than it is, and there should be a better way to look after a ship in distress....with 4000 lives at stake....plus 1000 crew. And, I don't think a full refund and offer of a future cruise makes up for the inconvenience this trip would cause. A week out of your vacation, even out of your life, cost to get to the dock, cost to get home, etc. I don't know how much it would take to make it up, but it is more than a refund and another cruise of similar value.....maybe a cruise on one of their better lines!

tjc78

I believe part of the compensation package included all travel costs. In other words a complete and total refund and another free cruise. I really can't see them offering any more than that.

This type of thing doesn't happen often, and there really isn't any set way to handle it. If I was on the ship, I would certainly not be a happy camper, but I really believe that I would be happy with the compensation.

Carnival has had other ships in the area drop off prepared food and even took a patient off that needed to get dialysis treatment. I'm sure there are 100 things they have done wrong in this situation, but also 100s of things done right.

Like I say, for certain situations, I think cruising is great

I'm completely hooked on cruising. The atmosphere, the treatment and everything is just perfect for me. My wife likes it but also wants to try other things. I so want to get on NCL's new ship Breakaway debuting in May, but it will have to wait. We are just doing a few weekends away this year and sharing a shore house with the family for a week in the summer.

graphicguy

tjc.....the GF and I are booked on the Breakaway in June.

Regarding the Carnival ship, not sure what more can be done when you're at sea than to refund the fare and offering a free cruise, too.

That said, Carnival also owns Costa, the Italian liner who has their Concordia still run aground in Italy. Plus, they recently had another ship lose an engine not so long ago.

Coincidence? Maybe! Or, perhaps they have cut costs so much that there's no room for error.

tjc78

They have certainly had their share of problems. I'm not sure what it is, but I suspect cost cutting has something to do with it. Three major incidents for them in a little over a year. That can't sit well with potential passengers.

I hope you enjoy Breakaway. NCL looks to be pulling out all the stops with it. A Food network chef inspired restaurant and a shop selling items from Carlo's bakery in Hoboken (from the Cake Boss tv show) to name a few.

robr2

I believe part of the compensation package included all travel costs. In other words a complete and total refund and another free cruise. I really can't see them offering any more than that.

Luckily, the ship is being towed to Mobile, AL which was a Carnival port at one time so the logistics for handling the number of people is in place.

From a news report this morning, Carnival has arranged for extra customs personnel, ICE personnel, reserved 1500 hotel rooms between Mobile and New Orleans, chartered planes to fly people back to Galveston from both cities and chartered busses to get people to Houston and Galveston if they don't want to stay in the hotels.

IMHO, Carnival is doing everything it can. An engine failure is devastating as it provides the power for the ship. Tugs can't just buzz out to the ship - they are very slow. They got more food onto the ship. Lastly, I heard the bar is OPEN - free drinks for everyone.

abacomike

I was up all night with diarrhea and then, about 7:00 AM my temperature shot up to 102 degrees F. My whole body feels like I fell off a building and broke every bone in my body, severe headache, every joint on my body is pleading with me to commit suicide to take me out of this misery. I cannot get the fever to break and have been trying to get the doctor to call me back for 4 hours.

Why me? Pneumonia, falling down a flight of stairs, and now this. I just can't get a break!

robr2

I was up all night with diarrhea

TMI!!!

Try "I suffered with intestinal distress all night."

boomchek

And, still.... the lawyer was right.... a $299 doc fee is just silly...

Agreed but not much anyone can do, even us salespeople.

If we ended up selling a car at $500 over cost but with no doc, then the $299 would be deducted from the $500 and the commisionable gross (what we get paid on) would be a percentage of $201, not $500.

It's money that dealership owners don't have to pay commision on and goes straight to their bottom line.

$299X100 cars = $29,900/month :surprise:

dino001

Try $499-$799, as it is charged in my neck of the woods. :mad:

driver100

Regarding the Carnival ship, not sure what more can be done when you're at sea than to refund the fare and offering a free cruise, too

I am not looking for something for nothing, but, I don't think a refund for miserable experience, plus just offering me the same trip or trip of equal value really is making it even.

If a customer brings back a book, to our warehouse, because there were pages missing for example (can happen at the printers, a section gets left out), then I always find another copy and I give them another book for free or something, just to cover gas money and the inconvenience of coming back. It isn't my fault if there are pages missing, or the cover was put on upside down....but, a good customer should be made whole again.....because they are out a lot more than the money they are going to be getting back for this malfunction.

This could be a wasted vacation for some people and they may not get another vacation for a year. There was lots of planning and juggling and getting affairs in order. Getting a full refund is a given, that isn't even an extra, getting another trip for free doesn't compensate me for 6 miserable days and a vacation completely ruined.

I guess I am just grumpier than most people. Not looking for something for nothing, just want to be compensated for my trouble. I would say adding 50% off on any cruise of my choice plus a cruise of equal value would be fair. It might even get people to take an extra trip. Something like that can win customers back and show you really are trying to make up for their mistake.

driver100

Why me? Pneumonia, falling down a flight of stairs, and now this. I just can't get a break!

Mike, hope you are feeling better soon. You sure have been through a lot this year....between your own health and the Mercedes repairs, the year can only go uphill from here.

driver100

Try "I suffered with intestinal distress all night."

Yes, much better. Although, what the heck, now they mention every kind of health issue possible in TV ads. I won't mention some of the latest one's I have been hearing or I will be banned from here for life.

They advertise some of these medications and when they list all the side affects these drugs can cause I start to get nautious.

Some of the drugs sound really amazing and I think, hmmm, maybe I should ask the doctor about that one, it sounds like something I could use. And then when I hear all the side affects which are worse than the original malady I say forget it!

cdnpinhead

. . .not much anyone can do. . .

True enough for those who consider the dealer the only possible source for service -- MUST deal with a local guy.

In my world, I'll fly anywhere in the US to get the deal I want and drive the car home. I'll get it serviced as I see fit.

Lately I've purchased vehicles that need little beyond fluid and filter changes. Much of that I can do myself.

abacomike

Mike, hope you are feeling better soon. You sure have been through a lot this year

You know, when I posted my intestinal distress word (the seemingly inappropriate "D" word), no other word or phrase could appropriately describe my distress! But robr obviously took exception.

Doctor called and he has a suspicion it could be from some bad meat I ate - he said if meat is not thoroughly cooked, it can give one a virus or food poisoning. Who knows? I still have a high fever and he said if it doesn't go down by tonight, he wants me to go to the emergency room.