So, this is Tempus Fugit, Time Flies in latin. Well today was another lesson in time flying by.
If you’ve been around for a while and I won’t define how long “a while” is you might remember getting your oil changed for $20 – $30 at a fast food of oil franchise. Well I hadn’t changed the oil in the van for some time and I was starting to feel guilty about it so I went to the local Mr. Lube.
Now I’m not unaware of their marketing strategies to up sell you on everything they can while your captive in the oil change bay, so I went in with my “no thanks” all ready to go. However, I must have been weak, or was it the nice your lady who was the supervisor of the motley oil change crew with the silver nail polish that swayed my judgment?
“Good afternoon Mr. Stewart” as I’ve barely rolled down the window. Darn those computers, they’ve run my plate and I’m a marked man. “Wow, your really over due for an oil change, you haven’t had it changed since 2005!”. Well I have been known to get my oil changed at other locations from time to time. “You should really consider an engine flush”. OK, I had gone a little long between changes, but not 2 years. “How much is that?”. “Just $19.95 and it does this that and the other thing and you really should do it”. (Not exact transcription). “OK”. What? Did I say that?
I’ve been given a newspaper, but I can’t get a chance to look at it with all the questions and turn you lights on, turnsignals, start your engine etc. Then the nice lady inform me that a hose on my PCV valve is loose and they will fix that. Next thing I know I’m looking at the PCV valve and being asked “When did you last change this? It look kind of old. The manufacture suggests every 40,000 km.”. How should I know, that’s a long time ago and I don’t have a photographic memory for all my van repair, of which there have been many, but that”s a different story. “How much is that?” I hear my self saying. “Just $12”. “OK.”. Did I do it again? Now I’m starting to hope I can get out of here for under $100!
A few minutes later, I pull away from Mr. Lube $109.58 lighter in the wallet, and they want me back in three months. Time flies.
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