Why When You Are On The Brink of Death, Is The Perfect Time To Buy A Car

brickhousechick

 

1999 CRV PRINCE wouldn't be caught dead driving this

1999 CRV/ PRINCE wouldn’t be caught dead driving this

My dearest husband, Mr. B, is a creature of habit.  He likes the known, the safe and the routine.  He is the happiest when nothing interferes with his daily routine.  He gets up at the same time everyday,  shaves the way he always does, brushes his teeth in the right order (always before flossing) and takes the same route to work, stopping at his favorite morning place for caffeine.  Any deviation from his scheduled plan can and will set him off for the remainder of the day.  I love him, nevertheless.

I could not be more opposite.  I do not like one day to be anything like the next.  I like to change it up, mix it up and I loathe routine. Blah.  Freedom and spontaneity are my thing.  I have been known to run around my neighborhood bra-less and free on more than one occasion.  I have been caught dancing with feathers for the sake of freedom.  My friend, Mama can attest to this.

So, when it came time in the recent weeks, to get rid of his 1999 tin can  CRV, he was not happy.  Yes, I said 1999.  As in the song, 1999 by Prince.  I am not dreaming as I write this but you can still sue me if I go too fast.

spacegravy.com

spacegravy.com

Four days after I was released from the hospital with a serious illness, we headed to a dealership with a particular car in mind.  To say that I was a bit out of it is an understatement and the reason Mr. B took control of the negotiating with the sales man.  Being a former banking officer, I usually take the lead in these situations.  He did a great job and we signed a purchase and sales agreement.

Both of us felt good about the car but there was something about the salesman that we did not quite trust.  I do not believe I am alone in having these thoughts about car salesmen, am I?.  He was the “everything is going to be ok” type of sales man.  “Don’t worry, it’s all good”, he kept repeating.  When asked for reassurance that the terms we agreed upon were in fact set in stone he replied by saying, “Don’t worry, there will be NO surprises when you come back for the car.  We can match your credit union’s rate if not beat it! It’s all good.”  Famous last words.

Fast forward to this past Saturday when we were to pick up our new vehicle.  Because I have my priorities straight…instead of going to the emergency room after fearing for my life once again,  I accompanied Mr. B to pick up our new car.  With back pain and thoughts of death lurking close by, I stuck to the plan.  In all honesty, I was afraid Mr. B would use my almost dying as an excuse to cancel the whole deal and keep his beloved tin can.

Sure enough as per our suspicions,  Mr. It’s all good of a sales man did not come through.  The documentation presented to us to sign had a higher interest rate than promised.  I will admit that this “promise” was not in writing and thus take some of the blame for trusting this happy salesman’s word.  We knew better, but damn, he was convincing.

Thankfully, my infected Latina blood began to boil.  The former banker in me stood up tall and the near death me, suddenly came to life.  I was not in the mood to be messed with and convinced that my death was imminent, I had nothing to lose.  Believe me, you did not want to be there to witness that me.

Let me put it this way, once I was done expressing my dislike,  the sky was all purple there were people running everywhere.

Not only did we ask to speak with the manager but also the manager’s manager, the manager’s manager’s manager, the manager’s manager’s manager’s father, mother and great grandfather.  They all came.

Needless to say, we drove off with our new/used CRV stocked with all the bells and whistles, a full tank and I believe they even threw in a personal driver as a peace-offering.  Do not quote me on that, I should probably read the fine print.

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http://www.wat.tv/video/prince-1999-382gh_2hztv_.html

 

50 thoughts on “Why When You Are On The Brink of Death, Is The Perfect Time To Buy A Car”

  1. You know, I have to say I’m like Mr. B, I like routine, I like things that are familiar. So, I normally keep something until IT begs me to put it to rest! lol 😉 I go to the same restaurant for ten years and eat the same thing with 100 other menu items that’s never been tried. Now my daughter (Inion) on the other hand, is the complete opposite of her mama, more like Mrs. B. So I like to think we balance each other out. lol That’s my way of pretending I’m not boring. 😉 The fact that Mr. B was willing to do this is a big step for someone like us!! I have to say, if you have to do something in a crisis or dilemma, I couldn’t find a better way to bring you out, with the wheels provided to do just that!! Good luck with the new stagecoach, my dear!!!! 😉 xoxo ❤

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  2. Yeah! That’s telling him! You were right to be suspicious! I’m glad you got a better deal. Cars are too expensive for salesmen to try to pull a fast one and expect you to take it.
    I hope you’ll get relief for your back pain soon.

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  3. I hate, hate, Hate, HATE shopping for a new car. Dealing with the salesmen and all the stupid haggling. I would’ve loved to have seen you put “Mr. Happy Pants” in his place, and his manager and manager’s manager, etc. Wish there was video! (And so glad you are feeling better.)

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  4. Congratulations on the new car Maria, I like it, a lot 🙂 Oh I do hope you are feeling so much better now and I did have to laugh at the image I have of you rising up and giving that ‘happy’ salesman a piece of your mind. Bet he wondered what hit him 😉 You go girl, good for you 😀 So glad it all worked out in the end. Your hubby sounds like the spitting image of mine and you sound just like me. Even in our driving, he tells me I have road rage and I tell him he drives at the pace of a snail, haha. Get well and strong my friend ❤ xoxo

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    1. I wasn’t going to just sit there and let him get away with it! He knew what he had done. You are so funny about your husband. Mine always is slow to get moving but once he gets going there is no stopping him and I’m chasing him around just to talk to him! Can’t win, huh? Anyway, as I respond to your comment I am in the passenger seat making the 5 hour journey to drop my daughter in College! I am in a healthy state of denial at the moment. :). My sister lives about an hour and a half from where she will be so we will stay with her tonight and dorm move in is tomorrow. Namaste…

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    1. Hee,hee! That is funny! What I like doing more than dealing with unfairness and mistrust is to actually compliment and praise people when they do an outstanding job. While at the hospital, I had about 15 different nursed between the three nights. There was one who was phenomenal! So professional, kind and caring. I made sure to write up a comment form and gave it to her supervisor. That is more fun! 🙂

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  6. Well, I am glad you boiled and steamed and got your rate and the bells and whistled, Mrs. B. On your death bed, too. Don’t mess with our Maria! Way to go. I am proud of the tirade of the just and right and correct!!

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  7. Dear Brickhousechick… I’m so glad to see you are okay, and that you haven’t lost your sense of humour! We – us bloggers – are lucky to have you here. Apologies for my absence – I have not been having a life crisis such as you, I am simply incapable of dealing with more than one thing at a time. But you have been in my thoughts. I hope you are on the road to a full recovery (and no more scares!!).

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  8. Can you buy me a car, too? I’m still driving a 1998 Civic LX (good choice with Honda, by the way) that has a salvage title. Car is technically totalled but it still runs like a champ. I’m bad at haggling, or at least Bank O’ Dad is really bad at it. If I have to get a car again, he’s going to stay at home and be accessible by phone so I can recall a Jewish shoe salesman asking if I was Jewish (interesting story for another time). Go figure, I guess, I’m mostly of Danish Norse stock…

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    1. Hee,hee. 1998?? You got us beat! Them Hondas sure last forever. Our 1999 still ran but did not get a high rating for comfort with Fibro/RA patients!!! 🙂 It’s good to have a life line ready and available to use when needed. 🙂

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    1. I was prepared for some of that but this guy really tried to pull a big one on us. Did he really think we were just going to roll over and walk away? He chose the wrong dying woman to mess with! 🙂

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  12. This is all super impressive, but…I’m still stuck in an endless loop, marveling over the 1999 vehicle! It was still running/in good order?? Holy shit! Now THAT is impressive!

    Also, yay for that hot (if infected) Latin blood!

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    1. It was running all right. But is was noisy as h***, uncomfortable, & had to be locked and unlocked manually (imagine that!) It was impressive that I hadn’t made Mr. B get rid of it sooner. LOL. Enjoy your weekend, Ms. Nancy. xo

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  13. Good job! This has always been my mother’s role in the family. She is a lawyer and loves a fight. We all (and I am the youngest at 45) still take her along when we are buying cars/ houses, because she will kick the shit out of anyone who tries to screw us. The downside is that one of her weapons is a willingness to walk away at any point. It can get a little stressful when mom is threatening to walk away from the deal on your dream house…

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  14. Way too go, Brick! Nice wheels! The way you described Mr. Brickhouse…he and I could be related. I’m not the same person when my daily routine is disrupted.
    I’m so happy you’re feeling better. : ) Happy Weekend! xo

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    1. There are a lot of people who are like Mr. B and you and that is ok because it works for you! I just tease him and he teases me for being so scattered. LOL. He is still mourning his tin can but is getting used to the life of comfort! 🙂 Happy Weekend to you too my dear! I take my son back to college and help set him up in his new apt. tomorrow. Wish me luck. xoxo

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      1. A new apartment…how exciting! I’ll need him to provide some fodder for my NA novel. 🙂 Email me details of his activities. 🙂 Yeah right, like he’ll share. 🙂 Good luck, Maria!

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    1. Who knew that tactic would work? The guy so deceived us and he knew it all along. Gives the already tainted trade, a bad rep! Go CRVs! They are such great cars. The 1999s not so much. My husband is mourning the loss of his bff. 🙂

      Have a fabulous weekend, my friend!

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      1. Maybe there are, but I haven’t met any yet. I don’t think they last long at the job if they are honest and nice. lol I also hope you have as painless a weekend as possible. xx

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  18. Ha! I bought a new car once. I was young but I believed a deal was a deal. When I went back, they said that wasn’t what they meant. Tough, I said. (Well, there were undoubtedly some other words mixed in) I walked out of the dealership. They came running, literally running, after me. I got what I wanted and I guarantee you they didn’t lose money. I despise car shopping. Well, the shopping isn’t bad, but the buying is torture.

    I hope you are taking good care of yourself. Better care than out car shopping when you are dying.

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    1. You go girl! Love it when that happens and they come back running! I normally would not have made a stink, I save that for when it is undeniably warranted. This was deceit at its best and it was not acceptable. I kept my cool except for the infected blood boiling as I calmly demanded a solution.

      I promise that the next time I am on the brink, I will NOT go car shopping! 🙂

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        1. Looks like a sweet ride! I know Mr. B was eyeing my Mazda CX5 as of late…but true to himself, he is a steady Honda man. The zoom zoom may have been too much for him. You are definitely the person you want on your team when a wrong has been had. I have seen you in action before..but I must say…you always do it calmly and with grace. This last scenario may have been different however. Good for you…even on the brink of heaven’s door you will get up and fight for your FREEDOM! And yes….I can vouch for the Dancing with Feathers! Quite a delightful sight to behold!

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        2. Mama! Thanks for commenting. You are on Pam’s comment feed but she’s a nice gal and won’t mind. LOL. Mr. B loves your Mazda but definitely is loyal to Honda. Once again, I remained calm and even smiled as I expressed my “disappointment”. They knew I meant business and handled it very well. The God of the dealership displayed the most magnificent customer service skills. 🙂

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    1. I am usually calm and very diplomatic when having confrontations, and I was during this process as well until it was clear that the salesman had tricked us and knew very well what he was doing. That cannot be left alone! Luckily, the manager used excellent customer service techniques that made us walk out feeling better about our experience and therefore helped him and his business in the long run. Thank you for your well wishes. 🙂

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