Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

explorerx4 · February 2017

The PA turnpike is really expensive. 250 miles costs about $25. This was 3 or 4 years ago.
How do I know? The bill showed up on my EZPass statement and there were 2 PA Tpk trips on it.
I told my kid to take I-80 instead, a little longer, but a lot cheaper.

abacomike · February 2017

Got the results of the X-rays of the heel of my foot - it's a bone spur. Only solution is surgery. I don't think I could emotionally or physically handle surgery - being laid up several weeks - no driving since it's my right foot - can't cook or shop.

Just pretty frustrated at this point. I deserve a break - unfortunately I'm not getting any lately. How much can a guy handle?

isellhondas · February 2017

Mike, of all of the people I know or have ever known, YOU deserve a break in the worst way! so sorry to hear this!

stickguy · February 2017

My daughter calls the AT shift quadrant a Prindle. Pronounced as a word. Took me a minute to figure that one out

suydam · February 2017

abacomike said:
Got the results of the X-rays of the heel of my foot - it's a bone spur. Only solution is surgery. I don't think I could emotionally or physically handle surgery - being laid up several weeks - no driving since it's my right foot - can't cook or shop.

Just pretty frustrated at this point. I deserve a break - unfortunately I'm not getting any lately. How much can a guy handle?

Don't get the surgery. Most of the people I know who have had it have worse problems after. Usually there is a way to live with it. Also podiatry seems to be a field with widely varying practices from one doc to another. I'd look for another podiatrist and get a second opinion. You have had a lot to deal with.

jmonroe · February 2017

abacomike said:
Got the results of the X-rays of the heel of my foot - it's a bone spur. Only solution is surgery. I don't think I could emotionally or physically handle surgery - being laid up several weeks - no driving since it's my right foot - can't cook or shop.

Just pretty frustrated at this point. I deserve a break - unfortunately I'm not getting any lately. How much can a guy handle?

That is not what we wanted to hear. So what is your plan now?

Hopefully the pain will subside a little.

jmonroe

isellhondas · February 2017

I would get a second opinion.

sda · February 2017

suydam said:

abacomike said:
Got the results of the X-rays of the heel of my foot - it's a bone spur. Only solution is surgery. I don't think I could emotionally or physically handle surgery - being laid up several weeks - no driving since it's my right foot - can't cook or shop.

Just pretty frustrated at this point. I deserve a break - unfortunately I'm not getting any lately. How much can a guy handle?
Don't get the surgery. Most of the people I know who have had it have worse problems after. Usually there is a way to live with it. Also podiatry seems to be a field with widely varying practices from one doc to another. I'd look for another podiatrist and get a second opinion. You have had a lot to deal with.

I would avoid surgery if possible. Some years ago when I was 28 I had an accident and broke my right heal. It was displaced and pushed up slightly, something the doctors didn't initially identify. It was a long healing process (sorry, bad pun) and they were puzzled why I was having trouble walking and was in pain. I spoke with several people who all advised me to leave well enough alone, that they had surgery and it made things worse. I didn't have surgery, still have some issues with balance, no longer play tennis, but am mobile and generally ok. When the heal/ankle area becomes tender and hard to walk on, I've gotten used to it and just push thru.

abacomike · February 2017

That's what I've been doing - walking through the pain. But it gets really bad at times. My primary care physician is stymied by this as well. He said I've been through enough - he said to try to live with it. I've had 2 injections, but with short lived relief - couple of days, at most. My brother said to have the surgery because he doesn't want me to suffer.

I'm going to try and drive up to my brother's place next Tuesday and return Thursday. It will give me some time to think things over. If I am able to live with the pain, I will. If not, I will see an orthopedic specialist and bring the X-rays with me.

I'm sick of doctors too. Next week before I leave, I have to see the oncologist and the following week, the cardiologist. Then, maybe an orthopedist. Awful!

sda · February 2017

abacomike said:
That's what I've been doing - walking through the pain. But it gets really bad at times. My primary care physician is stymied by this as well. He said I've been through enough - he said to try to live with it. I've had 2 injections, but with short lived relief - couple of days, at most. My brother said to have the surgery because he doesn't want me to suffer.

I'm going to try and drive up to my brother's place next Tuesday and return Thursday. It will give me some time to think things over. If I am able to live with the pain, I will. If not, I will see an orthopedic specialist and bring the X-rays with me.

I'm sick of doctors too. Next week before I leave, I have to see the oncologist and the following week, the cardiologist. Then, maybe an orthopedist. Awful!

Mike, what has really helped me is to always wear shoes that have good support for my ankle and deeply cushioned for my heel. I rarely go barefoot except walking around the house. If I do more than that I regret it. I'm sorry for what you're going through and am in my prayers.

driver100 · February 2017

Mike, sorry to hear about the bone spur. Maybe you should buy a lottery ticket....the odds of all these things happening to one person are almost impossible.

I think your plan sounds good....take some time to decide what to do next. Really sorry to hear about this one.

graphicguy · February 2017

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

isellhondas said:
Paging Mr. S.

How about a free appraisal?

This REALLY appeals to me! Am I nuts to go look at it? Probably 5 miles from us.

Are they really anything special or just another problem plagued British car that nobody will want to work on?

For the price of a three year old Civic, THIS could be yours!

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/5987065170.html

Thoughts?
Go for it!

Hope you have a good indie garage that will work on it for you. Other than that, it should make you the talk of the neighborhood.

One thing I don't like are those huge skinny steering wheels, but other than that it looks like a great buy.
I have no idea what that Rolls is worth and I was hoping Shifty would chime in. He may be is shock that I would consider such a car! Seriously, in my opinion those were the last of the really classy Rolls Royces. Probably a nightmare to keep on the road! It might be hard to find a "Nigel" with the desire or knowhow to work on it. I know if I owned a shop I would turn it away out of fear that we just might break something.

Still, talk about a car that commands attention and respect.....not that I need any of that!

I dunno...the mere fact that one thing goes wrong and you're looking at a 2nd mortgage would be enough to scare me. And I'm fearless, because I bought a Cadillac.

driver100 · February 2017

sda said:

abacomike said:
That's what I've been doing - walking through the pain. But it gets really bad at times. My primary care physician is stymied by this as well. He said I've been through enough - he said to try to live with it. I've had 2 injections, but with short lived relief - couple of days, at most. My brother said to have the surgery because he doesn't want me to suffer.

I'm going to try and drive up to my brother's place next Tuesday and return Thursday. It will give me some time to think things over. If I am able to live with the pain, I will. If not, I will see an orthopedic specialist and bring the X-rays with me.

I'm sick of doctors too. Next week before I leave, I have to see the oncologist and the following week, the cardiologist. Then, maybe an orthopedist. Awful!
Mike, what has really helped me is to always wear shoes that have good support for my ankle and deeply cushioned for my heel. I rarely go barefoot except walking around the house. If I do more than that I regret it. I'm sorry for what you're going through and am in my prayers.

And slippers aren't great either...no arch support.

jipster · February 2017

isellhondas said:

Hey Craig, was that supposed to be an @isellhondas4 post? You posted it from "regular" Craig's @isellhondas account;)
isellhondas4 is gone forever! At least I hope so!

Thought that guy would never leave.

oldfarmer50 · February 2017

cdnpinhead said:
I drove my '65 MGB ~103K miles in a little over 3.5 years between August of '69 and April of '73, and loved the car -- it was my first. It took me to Nova Scotia, BC, and 44 states -- never stranded me, partly because I carried lots of tools and knew what needed to be done. I traded it in on my even more beloved 240-Z. There has never been tighter steering or shifting than with the MG. I'm a fan for life of MGBs made prior to the bumper fiasco.

On another subject, today I took delivery of a Subaru Forester in Aurora, CO, at Shortline Subaru. I'll go through the details on the CCBA board later, but the short version is that in my 48 years of buying cars, I've never had a more pleasant experience. I'm driving it home from CO, currently in Las Vegas, NM, and the car is excellent as well. It's rare for me to be absolutely blown away in a positive way with anything, but today did it for both the car and the dealership. I love my TSX, but the Acura dealership I bought it from could learn a lot from Shortline.

Congrats on your new ride. Nothing like that first ride in a new car.

oldfarmer50 · February 2017

driver100 said:
Used car dealer in Largo (oldfarmer's stomping grounds) is getting lots of business because of their honesty in advertising;

WSER) – Car buyers who fear getting fooled into purchasing a lemon, take solace: There is at least one honest car salesman out there and he is in Largo.

An ad posted on Facebook Wednesday for a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero has gone viral, and the first line gives a taste as to why: "Nothing special or pretty about this car."

The car, available for sale at Journee Autos in Largo has racked up 200,000 miles and is being offered for $900, and "You're getting 900 dollars worth of car," reads the post by Shelmar Pierre Roseman.

The side is rusted, and the photos zoom in on that, so "don't bring your a-- down here saying it looks different in the pics or you didn't know it had that much rust. I'm telling you right now. This b-tch rusty."

And should you bring your butt to the dealer, no haggling. "No I do not have any wiggle room. You can wiggle yo a-- down to another dealership."

Bottom line, the car runs, the air conditioning works, and it has a CD player. "This will get you from A to B. Just don't try to make it to C. ... This car will last you at least ALL SPRING '17."

The Daily Dot says it "has to be the most honest ... ad in the history of automobile selling," and many of the 22,000 commenters on the Facebook post apparently agree. "Finally an honest car dealer!!" wrote one.

Oh that is FUNNY! Where the heck did he get such a rust bucket in Florida? A desperate snow bird?

jipster · February 2017

abacomike said:

That's what I've been doing - walking through the pain. But it gets really bad at times. My primary care physician is stymied by this as well. He said I've been through enough - he said to try to live with it. I've had 2 injections, but with short lived relief - couple of days, at most. My brother said to have the surgery because he doesn't want me to suffer.

I'm going to try and drive up to my brother's place next Tuesday and return Thursday. It will give me some time to think things over. If I am able to live with the pain, I will. If not, I will see an orthopedic specialist and bring the X-rays with me.

I'm sick of doctors too. Next week before I leave, I have to see the oncologist and the following week, the cardiologist. Then, maybe an orthopedist. Awful!

Jipster: I think an orthopedist would help. I've got a bone spur, don't really feel it. I feel my P.F and Achilles Tendonitis and P.F though. The calf stretches, icing and ibuprofen when sore, and strengthening (heel drops) should help your feet. From what I've read, removing a bone spur on the heel is rough operation.

oldfarmer50 · February 2017

isellhondas said:
Paging Mr. S.

How about a free appraisal?

This REALLY appeals to me! Am I nuts to go look at it? Probably 5 miles from us.

Are they really anything special or just another problem plagued British car that nobody will want to work on?

For the price of a three year old Civic, THIS could be yours!

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/5987065170.html

Thoughts?

That would be a hoot to drive around in for sure. Something of that vintage would be less mechanically complex meaning less stuff to go bad. What the replacement parts situation on that car? Nothing worse than your fine ride becoming a lawn ornament because you can't get parts.

abacomike · February 2017

@jipster

I've heard that as well - puts you out of commission for quite some time!

carnaught · February 2017

Mike, have to agree with the others who said to not have, or hold-off on having the heal surgery. It is very disabling and painful postop with so-so results. The thing is with spurs is that with time, the pain often subsides.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2017

sda said:

Mr_Shiftright said:
With very good luck, that Rolls will cost you about .50 cents per mile. With some luck, $2 a mile. With bad luck....well.....it's a slippery, steep and scary slope. For the experience, perhaps it is worth it on the lower end of the cost spectrum.
Deep pockets mandatory! Is the RR so unique that the hydraulic suspension cannot be converted to standard springs and shocks? I know that kills collectibility, but if you just want a weekend driver..

There is no collectibility---it's going to be a "nice used car" forever and that's it. It's just a standard steel saloon, so not a coachbuilt car---that's why.

carnaught · February 2017

GG, sorry for your continued problems getting resolution on the CTS. The BBB is worthless. Too bad there isn't a BBB to report them to.

oldfarmer50 · February 2017

abacomike said:
Got the results of the X-rays of the heel of my foot - it's a bone spur. Only solution is surgery. I don't think I could emotionally or physically handle surgery - being laid up several weeks - no driving since it's my right foot - can't cook or shop.

Just pretty frustrated at this point. I deserve a break - unfortunately I'm not getting any lately. How much can a guy handle?

I have those in my knees but they only cause problems if I twist the wrong way or overextend my leg. Then it feels like broken glass in my joints for about a week.

Did you explore special shoes? I forget.

carnaught · February 2017

Pinhead, congrats on your new ride....should be fairly bulletproof.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2017

oldfarmer50 said:

isellhondas said:
Paging Mr. S.

How about a free appraisal?

This REALLY appeals to me! Am I nuts to go look at it? Probably 5 miles from us.

Are they really anything special or just another problem plagued British car that nobody will want to work on?

For the price of a three year old Civic, THIS could be yours!

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/5987065170.html

Thoughts?
That would be a hoot to drive around in for sure. Something of that vintage would be less mechanically complex meaning less stuff to go bad. What the replacement parts situation on that car? Nothing worse than your fine ride becoming a lawn ornament because you can't get parts.

Good logic but not in this case---mechanically the car is very complex--pressurized brake system, electronic shifting, etc. I think you can get most mechanical parts--trim pieces might be tricky.

jipster · February 2017

abacomike said:

@jipster

I've heard that as well - puts you out of commission for quite some time!

Can't recall where I read it, but bone spurs often grow back after surgical removal. Likely due to the tension the calf muscle puts on that Achilles tendon. Which is why stretching those calves is really important. I try to stretch 2-3 times a day. Which I'll have to do the rest of my life. No big deal. But if I skip a day or two, the Achilles tightens up and makes walking a bit uncomfortable.

driver100 · February 2017

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:
Used car dealer in Largo (oldfarmer's stomping grounds) is getting lots of business because of their honesty in advertising;

WSER) – Car buyers who fear getting fooled into purchasing a lemon, take solace: There is at least one honest car salesman out there and he is in Largo.

An ad posted on Facebook Wednesday for a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero has gone viral, and the first line gives a taste as to why: "Nothing special or pretty about this car."

The car, available for sale at Journee Autos in Largo has racked up 200,000 miles and is being offered for $900, and "You're getting 900 dollars worth of car," reads the post by Shelmar Pierre Roseman.

The side is rusted, and the photos zoom in on that, so "don't bring your a-- down here saying it looks different in the pics or you didn't know it had that much rust. I'm telling you right now. This b-tch rusty."

And should you bring your butt to the dealer, no haggling. "No I do not have any wiggle room. You can wiggle yo a-- down to another dealership."

Bottom line, the car runs, the air conditioning works, and it has a CD player. "This will get you from A to B. Just don't try to make it to C. ... This car will last you at least ALL SPRING '17."

The Daily Dot says it "has to be the most honest ... ad in the history of automobile selling," and many of the 22,000 commenters on the Facebook post apparently agree. "Finally an honest car dealer!!" wrote one.

Oh that is FUNNY! Where the heck did he get such a rust bucket in Florida? A desperate snow bird?

One thing....business has really picked up since they have made their ads so honest. Maybe there is hope......

imidazol97 · February 2017

Find the shoes with the softest cushioning under the heel to try to minimize the discomfort for a few days. Hope that the irritation will go down from this level. My impression is that some of these irritated cartilage or bone spurs will go away after lots of months, in many cases. Ask around the others there to see their experiences.
My wife has had them. I didn't have a spur but stepped on something like a popcorn kernal on a hard floor in the kitchen and had an irritated spot for many months. I went from wearing Florsheim Wingtips to the softest Rockport shoes in my closet.
This is my second opinion. Hope it works out for you WITHOUT surgery.

abacomike · February 2017

imidazol97 said:

Find the shoes with the softest cushioning under the heel to try to minimize the discomfort for a few days. Hope that the irritation will go down from this level. My impression is that some of these irritated cartilage or bone spurs will go away after lots of months, in many cases. Ask around the others there to see their experiences. My wife has had them. I didn't have a spur but stepped on something like a popcorn kernal on a hard floor in the kitchen and had an irritated spot for many months. I went from wearing Florsheim Wingtips to the softest Rockport shoes in my closet. This is my second opinion. Hope it works out for you WITHOUT surgery.

That's what I wear - Rockport walking shoes- that's all I wear. I just have to get used to being in pain on my right heel. If it gets really bad, I'll stay off my feet for a day or two.

oldfarmer50 · February 2017

They have got to be kidding.

http://www.lathamford.com/inventory/new-2015-ford-mustang-ecoboost-premium-demo-rwd-2dr-car-1fa6p8th8f5346207

driver100 · February 2017

I had a bump on one toe
Chiropodist says leaking fluid build up, 3 choices 1) I can jab it and it will leak out, may have to repeat 2) go to hospital and have removed, - pretty permanent, or 3) do nothing.
I chose 2, go to hospital and have it removed.
Get an appointment about 5 months later....go to hospital, wait for about 2 hours.
Doctor has me go into operating room, lie down on bed, and I say what is going on here. She says, I cut it out, you will wear a boot for 8 weeks! I say, your joking, how will I drive and play tennis with a boot on? She says you can't.
I say let me out of here, do I have to stay. She said no. I ran as fast as I could and left....I could hear the pretty doctor and her assisstant LTAO (T for their).
I went to another chiropodist and had it lanced. She did it about every 4 months....4 times....then it didn't come back.

THE LESSON: Sometimes these things fix themselves.

(My stories are getting as long as JMonroes)

sda · February 2017

driver100 said:
I had a bump on one toe
Chiropodist says leaking fluid build up, 3 choices 1) I can jab it and it will leak out, may have to repeat 2) go to hospital and have removed, - pretty permanent, or 3) do nothing.
I chose 2, go to hospital and have it removed.
Get an appointment about 5 months later....go to hospital, wait for about 2 hours.
Doctor has me go into operating room, lie down on bed, and I say what is going on here. She says, I cut it out, you will wear a boot for 8 weeks! I say, your joking, how will I drive and play tennis with a boot on? She says you can't.
I say let me out of here, do I have to stay. She said no. I ran as fast as I could and left....I could hear the pretty doctor and her assisstant LTAO (T for their).
I went to another chiropodist and had it lanced. She did it about every 4 months....4 times....then it didn't come back.

THE LESSON: Sometimes these things fix themselves.

(My stories are getting as long as JMonroes)

Oh help

ab348 · February 2017

jipster said:

isellhondas said:

nyccarguy said:
Hey Craig, was that supposed to be an @isellhondas4 post? You posted it from "regular" Craig's @isellhondas account;)
isellhondas4 is gone forever! At least I hope so!

Thought that guy would never leave.

Ahhhh.... he wasn't so bad. For an imposter. Complained about computers a lot though.

driver100 · February 2017

ab348 said:

jipster said:

isellhondas said:

nyccarguy said:
Hey Craig, was that supposed to be an @isellhondas4 post? You posted it from "regular" Craig's @isellhondas account;)
isellhondas4 is gone forever! At least I hope so!

Thought that guy would never leave.

Ahhhh.... he wasn't so bad. For an imposter. Complained about computers a lot though.

I thought his writing style was better though

fintail · February 2017

What about a PRINDLE?

https://youtu.be/a4U7KcibGn4?t=10m8s

Start at 10:08 if it doesn't work, sorry for the odd formatting, but that's how one gets past Youtube censors.

uplanderguy said:
RE.: CHMSL: I've actually heard a person or two over the years, call it a 'chimzle'. LOL

fintail · February 2017

It's a very pretty car, and I can see how people fall for them. I'd offer 12K or so and be firm - the seller has numerous cars and is probably trying to regain some storage space. Better to buy one like this than to rescue a 5K basket case.

Mr_Shiftright said:

There is no collectibility---it's going to be a "nice used car" forever and that's it. It's just a standard steel saloon, so not a coachbuilt car---that's why.

jipster · February 2017

driver100 said:

I had a bump on one toe Chiropodist says leaking fluid build up, 3 choices 1) I can jab it and it will leak out, may have to repeat 2) go to hospital and have removed, - pretty permanent, or 3) do nothing. I chose 2, go to hospital and have it removed. Get an appointment about 5 months later....go to hospital, wait for about 2 hours. Doctor has me go into operating room, lie down on bed, and I say what is going on here. She says, I cut it out, you will wear a boot for 8 weeks! I say, your joking, how will I drive and play tennis with a boot on? She says you can't. I say let me out of here, do I have to stay. She said no. I ran as fast as I could and left....I could hear the pretty doctor and her assisstant LTAO (T for their). I went to another chiropodist and had it lanced. She did it about every 4 months....4 times....then it didn't come back. THE LESSON: Sometimes these things fix themselves. (My stories are getting as long as JMonroes)

Did the hospital charge you anything for cancelling? I had second thoughts about some stinkin furniture I purchased a few days ago, at Ashley Furniture, Called to cancel. They are charging me a 10% cancellation fee, which would be $180. Should have read the fine print. But , I cancelled just 2 days after buying. Delivery not until February 16. Talked to store manager. Adamant I pay or I could select something else. Said their furniture is made to order, which sounds like a bunch of bull. Waiting to hear back from district manager. Don't buy from Ashley Furniture!!! Tell them the ole Jipster did NOT send you.

cdnpinhead · February 2017

Thanks to all for your kind congratulations for the new Forester. Today I drove down from Las Vegas, NM, to the cabin at Forest Lakes. Had to have the driveway plowed to remove the two feet of wet half-melted snow (don't ask how the snow blower performed -- live and learn) to provide a passage. There's some slope to the drive, and the TSX can't handle it, but the Forester did, with aplomb. I would have felt a total fool if I'd backed it down the still snow-covered drive, then couldn't get out, but it just walked right up the grade to the street.

I'm about to put together a much more comprehensive post over in CCBA to review the details of the deal. It should become apparent why I thought it was worth an 850 mile drive to deal with the guy in Aurora (Denver) -- $1217 under "invoice" while the AZ guys had to be dragged kicking and screaming to offer me a $500 under invoice deal on a special-order car that I wouldn't see until March.

Either way, so far, so good.

berri · February 2017

Isell, I think there is a guy who specializes in cars like Rolls in Victoria, BC which I don't think is too far from the Seattle area. I just read something about this guy and exotics, but I can't remember in what publication.

driver100 · February 2017

jipster said:

driver100 said:

I had a bump on one toe
Chiropodist says leaking fluid build up, 3 choices 1) I can jab it and it will leak out, may have to repeat 2) go to hospital and have removed, - pretty permanent, or 3) do nothing.
I chose 2, go to hospital and have it removed.
Get an appointment about 5 months later....go to hospital, wait for about 2 hours.
Doctor has me go into operating room, lie down on bed, and I say what is going on here. She says, I cut it out, you will wear a boot for 8 weeks! I say, your joking, how will I drive and play tennis with a boot on? She says you can't.
I say let me out of here, do I have to stay. She said no. I ran as fast as I could and left....I could hear the pretty doctor and her assisstant LTAO (T for their).
I went to another chiropodist and had it lanced. She did it about every 4 months....4 times....then it didn't come back.

THE LESSON: Sometimes these things fix themselves.

(My stories are getting as long as JMonroes)

Did the hospital charge you anything for cancelling? I had second thoughts about some stinkin furniture I purchased a few days ago, at Ashley Furniture, Called to cancel. They are charging me a 10% cancellation fee, which would be $180. Should have read the fine print. But , I cancelled just 2 days after buying. Delivery not until February 16. Talked to store manager. Adamant I pay or I could select something else. Said their furniture is made to order, which sounds like a bunch of bull. Waiting to hear back from district manager. Don't buy from Ashley Furniture!!! Tell them the ole Jipster did NOT send you.

I didn't pay when i cancelled the foot surgery....but remember, we don't pay in Canada (I know, we do pay but through taxes etc., lots of them). My cousin just had some new heart valves put in.....$0's except for his wife to park the car.
That is very low of Ashleys. Why did you cancel? If it is because you want to wait for something else or want to wait for finances you might tell him you will be back when the time is right...but not with a policy like that one. That is low in this day and age. A good way to lose customers....leaves a bad impression on me, I will remember that!

driver100 · February 2017

cdnpinhead said:
Thanks to all for your kind congratulations for the new Forester. Today I drove down from Las Vegas, NM, to the cabin at Forest Lakes. Had to have the driveway plowed to remove the two feet of wet half-melted snow (don't ask how the snow blower performed -- live and learn) to provide a passage. There's some slope to the drive, and the TSX can't handle it, but the Forester did with aplomb. I would have felt a total fool if I'd backed it down the still snow-covered drive, then couldn't get out, but it just walked right up the grade to the street.

I'm about to put together a more comprehensive post over in CCBA to review the details of the deal. It should become apparent why I thought it was worth an 850 mile drive to deal with the guy in Aurora (Denver) -- $1217 under "invoice" while the AZ guys had to be dragged kicking and screaming to offer me a $500 under invoice deal on a special-order car that I wouldn't see until March.

Either way, so far, so good.

Say no more......$1217 off compared to $500...that explains it.

Please copy and paste your story from CCBA....I barely have time to read the posts here especially with JMonroes 5000 word essays.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2017

USELESS FACT # 27

There are only 39 gas stations on the entire island of Manhattan.

jipster · February 2017

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

I had a bump on one toe Chiropodist says leaking fluid build up, 3 choices 1) I can jab it and it will leak out, may have to repeat 2) go to hospital and have removed, - pretty permanent, or 3) do nothing. I chose 2, go to hospital and have it removed. Get an appointment about 5 months later....go to hospital, wait for about 2 hours. Doctor has me go into operating room, lie down on bed, and I say what is going on here. She says, I cut it out, you will wear a boot for 8 weeks! I say, your joking, how will I drive and play tennis with a boot on? She says you can't. I say let me out of here, do I have to stay. She said no. I ran as fast as I could and left....I could hear the pretty doctor and her assisstant LTAO (T for their). I went to another chiropodist and had it lanced. She did it about every 4 months....4 times....then it didn't come back. THE LESSON: Sometimes these things fix themselves. (My stories are getting as long as JMonroes)

Did the hospital charge you anything for cancelling? I had second thoughts about some stinkin furniture I purchased a few days ago, at Ashley Furniture, Called to cancel. They are charging me a 10% cancellation fee, which would be $180. Should have read the fine print. But , I cancelled just 2 days after buying. Delivery not until February 16. Talked to store manager. Adamant I pay or I could select something else. Said their furniture is made to order, which sounds like a bunch of bull. Waiting to hear back from district manager. Don't buy from Ashley Furniture!!! Tell them the ole Jipster did NOT send you.
I didn't pay when i cancelled the foot surgery....but remember, we don't pay in Canada (I know, we do pay but through taxes etc., lots of them). My cousin just had some new heart valves put in.....$0's except for his wife to park the car. That is very low of Ashleys. Why did you cancel? If it is because you want to wait for something else or want to wait for finances you might tell him you will be back when the time is right...but not with a policy like that one. That is low in this day and age. A good way to lose customers....leaves a bad impression on me, I will remember that!

Well, we were shopping for a bedroom suite for my 16 year old son...with a mattress and box spring. Should have left son home, as he was just wanting to get out of there. Saleslady directed us to a bed and dresser, which when later that day in looking at website, is designed for younger children. I asked saleslady specifically if this furniture was designed for someone my son's age. She said yes. But it really isnt. My son is about 5'10" and 170 pounds. I told store manager I thought salesman did a poor job, and it was not our fault for having to cancel. I said the cancellation fee was not mentioned, through it was on the second page of contract. I said, "youre going to charge me $180 and all you have to do is get on your computer and push a button to cancel?" She said it wasn't that easy. That the furniture was " made to order". So I guess as soon as I ordered the furniture, they had a group of guys go out and chop down trees to make it? LOL. I'm guessing they stock their warehouses and when one item in inventory gets low, they order more to be made. Doubt district manager will call back. More than likely just giving me the run around until I get tired and drop the matter.

Thinking of cancelling the furniture, keeping the mattress and box springs($600), and pick up myself instead of having it delivered, to minimize my losses.

abacomike · February 2017

Mr_Shiftright said:

USELESS FACT # 27 There are only 39 gas stations on the entire island of Manhattan.

I used to buy gas at a Mobil station near NYU in the Village area. I used to drive to NYU from Queens using the Midtown Tunnel under the East River. I parked my car at a garage that sold Mobil gas under the Flying Red Horse.

As far as your useless fact #27, it's useless only if you don't post the location of those gas stations. But I might add, if you drive into Manhattan with less than 1/2 a tank of gas, you deserve the trials and tribulations awaiting you if you get stuck in a traffic jam (can last hours at times if the President is in town).

39 gas stations - never knew there were that many!

jmonroe · February 2017

driver100 said:
I had a bump on one toe
Chiropodist says leaking fluid build up, 3 choices 1) I can jab it and it will leak out, may have to repeat 2) go to hospital and have removed, - pretty permanent, or 3) do nothing.
I chose 2, go to hospital and have it removed.
Get an appointment about 5 months later....go to hospital, wait for about 2 hours.
Doctor has me go into operating room, lie down on bed, and I say what is going on here. She says, I cut it out, you will wear a boot for 8 weeks! I say, your joking, how will I drive and play tennis with a boot on? She says you can't.
I say let me out of here, do I have to stay. She said no. I ran as fast as I could and left....I could hear the pretty doctor and her assisstant LTAO (T for their).
I went to another chiropodist and had it lanced. She did it about every 4 months....4 times....then it didn't come back.

THE LESSON: Sometimes these things fix themselves.

(My stories are getting as long as JMonroes)

I noticed but they can't compare to mine.

jmonroe

jmonroe · February 2017

explorerx4 said:
The PA turnpike is really expensive. 250 miles costs about $25. This was 3 or 4 years ago.
How do I know? The bill showed up on my EZPass statement and there were 2 PA Tpk trips on it.
I told my kid to take I-80 instead, a little longer, but a lot cheaper.

I don't want to make this too long because @driver100 has to get to bed.

As of January of this year the PA Turnpike toll is 9 cents per mile with E-ZPASS and 13 cents per mile using cash.

When PA started E-ZPASS they did not offer a discount for getting it. They figured the convenience alone was worth it. I was driving the pike every day but I didn't fall for that line so I decided to teach them a lesson. So I didn't get it.

To make a long story short because @driver100 has to get to bed, after about a month of sitting at the toll booth behind at least a dozen vehicles every night coming home from work, I figured PA had learned their lesson so I decided to let them off the hook and I broke down and bought E-ZPASS.

About 2 years later (I think) PA instituted the discount for E-ZPASS customers. I'm pretty sure my hold out helped to get the discount and I am proud I helped them see the light.

Oh, one more thing (sorry @driver100 I almost forgot about this. Glad I didn't). Driving I-80 in the Winter is not going to be too safe. That area constantly creates its own weather, lots of snow there this time of the year.

Nite, Nite @driver100

jmonroe

cdnpinhead · February 2017

driver100 said:
.Please copy and paste your story from CCBA....I barely have time to read the posts here especially with JMonroes 5000 word essays.

Well, here goes, but this thing makes JMonroe look like the king of brevity:

The Subaru Forester acquisition is complete, and it couldn’t have gone better. This is the (very) long version of how it came to pass – feel free to scroll. To review, in November my better half totaled her ’04 Pathfinder (which we both loved) in a 10 mph fender-bender – go figure. Anyway, I decided 18 months or so ago that a Forester was the best option for a replacement (thanks to several folks on this board and the one barely-alive Subaru board). At that time the PF had an oil leak that I feared was a main seal, but turned out to be an oil cooler o-ring, so the PF remained in service.

Anyway, in December, when the insurance company totaled the PF, it became apparent that we needed a Forester, and we needed it now – just what you want to deal with in the middle of the holidays. I did the research that all of us do at such a time and determined that what we needed was a Forester premium with eyesight (had the PF been equipped with something similar, we’d still have it, but I digress). The next objective was to see if Mrs. Pinhead liked the vehicle. To her, cars aren’t that important, but she likes what she likes. I made an appointment to test-drive one at the closest dealer to us in the Phx metro area a few days before Christmas, and she loved the vehicle, besides which she was willing to go with a real color (Jasmine Green) instead of the deadly dull silver or white which I thought she would prefer.

After the test-drive I began searching the internet for the exact vehicle we needed. The Phoenix (Gilbert) dealer was talking several hundred dollars above “invoice,” so I spread a (much) wider net. A dealer in Tucson had something close to what we wanted (tint I didn’t like – I want Hupter Optik) and quoted $400 over “invoice.” I travel a lot for business, so can arrange trips to coincide with a good deal, regardless of where it is. I looked at the internet inventories for several of the biggest Subaru dealers in the country, from Massachusetts to Washington to (wait for it) Colorado. I noticed two things: 1) almost no one had what we were looking for and 2) 70% of the vehicles listed in the inventories were “in transit.” Subaru apparently can’t build these things fast enough, or at least get them delivered to the dealers.

Shortline Subaru in Aurora (Denver) had two vehicles in transit that fit the bill exactly, so I sent them an internet request for a quote. The next day I got a call from the salesman, when he quoted me $25,827 for the vehicle, plus the $500 fee that they at least refer to as a “Delivery and Handling” charge, which I find less offensive than a “documentation fee.” Either way, even with the ADM included, I was looking at $26,327, which was more than $1200 under the so-called invoice price. I confirmed the deal over the phone, put $500 down on a credit card, and waited to see if it was a scam or not.

It was not. I’m sat here looking at a pink sheet of paper with those exact numbers on them, signed yesterday. Just to keep in interesting, the Tucson guy came back with the news that the car I was interested in had sold that day but that he could order me just what I wanted at $500 under invoice. While that was $900 better than his first offer, it was still $700 more than Shortline, and the wait for the car would be longer.

It was not all smooth sailing. I was told that the car should arrive 13 Jan, plus or minus 10 working days. I planned a nice trip for my wife and myself based on that date, but it was not to be. The car didn’t come in until I was in the middle of a business trip to the Midwest, so I ended up driving from Omaha to Denver to pick it up, since that was cheaper than modifying my airline ticket.

When I bought my TSX in ‘08 (it came from Denver as well, but I didn’t know that until after it had been trucked down) I was given the keys and wished a nice day. Not exactly a premium delivery experience, but I didn’t much care – I know how to read the manual. However, they didn’t give me the radio code, which later turned into a pain, and pairing my cell phone on my own was a bit of drama that I could have done without.

Shortline’s sales guy (I guess we’re not supposed to mention names here) had everything set up and ready to go when I showed up at the appointed time. He went over the basics, then we took a short test drive and it was back to his desk to go over all the manuals and documentation that needed to be signed – voluminous. Turned out the F&I lady was tied up, so he went through an exhaustive review of all (or at least most) of the features of the vehicle, hands-on. The Eyesight thing is really quite something. F&I still wasn’t ready, so he offered to follow me out to DEN/DIA where I needed to turn my car in so he could bring me back – very nice, that probably saved me an hour, relative to riding the shuttle bus to the terminals and taking a cab. The F&I lady was persistent and I was polite, for once, and I was on my way, completely satisfied with my basic vehicle warranty at zero additional cost.

The drive was fine, though I had some trouble finding the cruise control “on” button, since the quick-start guide illustrated it for a non-Eyesight car. That was the extent of my difficulties. Windy, windy, windy coming down, with serious snow in the mountains, so I took the dull Interstate route home rather than the scenic route involving Wolf Creek Pass. Mileage around 28 mpg indicated, but I’ll be interested in seeing how optimistic those numbers are, relative to the real gas pump calculated values.

So, that is all. If you made it to the end, you’ve got perseverance.

driver100 · February 2017

Jip said:
Thinking of cancelling the furniture, keeping the mattress and box springs($600), and pick up myself instead of having it delivered, to minimize my losses.

I will predict that Ashleys will be out of business soon. They are charging you out of desperation....they don't want to lose one penny. If you buy from a reputable store they would cancel the order or take it back....they want to keep their customers.

driver100 · February 2017

Nite, Nite @driver100

jmonroe

I couldn't stay up that late....had to read it this morning.

Were you absent the day they taught you how to write a precis in grade 6?

ab348 · February 2017

driver100 said:
Jip said:
Thinking of cancelling the furniture, keeping the mattress and box springs($600), and pick up myself instead of having it delivered, to minimize my losses.

I will predict that Ashleys will be out of business soon. They are charging you out of desperation....they don't want to lose one penny. If you buy from a reputable store they would cancel the order or take it back....they want to keep their customers.

It is similar to what I'm hearing about Sears here in Canada. They are closing the store closest to me within a few months and rumor is their local flagship will also be closing not long after. They have changed their online presence from what it used to be where you sort of knew what you were going to find in any category to something that I think is merely a front-end for stuff they don't actually have in their warehouse, and they would need to source it from whomever before they could ship it to you. I think they are not long for this world, sadly.

Ashley opened a palatial store complete with large bell tower here about 10 years ago. Quite by happenstance I was introduced to a couple of the local owners/franchisees at a social event right around the time they opened. It struck me that these guys (who were young and had never been in the furniture business before) seemed to be going out on a very long limb given some of the numbers they tossed around regarding how much the startup cost. But they were confident bordering on arrogant.

A couple of months after they opened I visited the place. Everything they had on the floor was huge in size, seemed to be of a certain ornate style, and virtually nothing would be appropriate for my place. It struck me as McMansion furniture or stuff that would appeal to new-money types. We have our share of those here but I'm not sure if there are enough of them to keep a place that size afloat. As a result I never went back.

It was no surprise that a few years ago they announced they were closing the palace store and moving into an arrangement that had a bunch of other furniture outlets under one roof. The palace building is now a Value Village which seems to do a booming business. Seems like a classic case of misreading the local market. Around the same time Ashley opened their palace, a Lane furniture store opened along with a La-Z-Boy furniture store. Lane lasted maybe a year. Stuff wasn't as oversized as Ashley but it was certainly aimed at the same type of customer and was expensive. La-Z-Boy is still in business but every time I've been in it is deserted. They seem to survive on their custom order business.

Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles