Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Fate S.O.C.K.S. It To Me...

My Summer Of Compensatory Knitting Socialization (S.O.C.K.S.) Program has hit yet another snag in its overall implementation.  This time the problem is not allergy-related, although I must admit to being a little on the congested side today.  Still...that wasn't going to be enough to hold me back.  I'd already taken a sick day and didn't feel that I'd meet the program graduation requirements if I took another so soon.  

(Just because I invented the program, and pretty much control the final grades [which are really just figments of my overactive imagination anyway] doesn't mean I'm not accountable, right?)

This time, though, we have a new contender for the right to claim the title of Greatest Of Annoying Interferences.  Those of you who have missed my stories of vehicular mishap, please take note.  This one's for you.

Towards the end of July, I had an oil change done at the dealership and partook of their complementary vehicle inspection just for snorts and giggles.  They also washed my car for me as part of the service and, since that is the sort of thing that I will certainly never do, it seemed like a nice treat for the car.  When I picked up my keys, the nice little girl (a former student of mine so I can call her a little girl if I want to) said that they noticed some wear on the front tires and suggested that I think about replacing them and doing an alignment.  

I'll admit I was only half listening.  I'd only had the car for three months.  How bad could it be?  Tires, at least to my knowledge, usually hang in there for longer than three months.  For that matter, wouldn't it have been the responsibility of the salesman to mention to me that this car featured those new-fangled "disposable" tires when I bought it?  I figured I was OK for a bit.

Today, though, I received a call from the service department.  They were greatly concerned by my lack of attention to my tires and feared for my very safety.  Phrases like "in the red zone" and "maybe fifteen percent of wear left" were being thrown about all willy nilly.  Prices were quoted just like they thought I was going to actually pay for this tire replacement...

I am most certainly not.  

I shall spare you the details and not quote the conversations that have gone on today regarding just whom is really responsible for this.  (as well as my sincere attempts at keeping the nice little girl out of the middle of it all what with her being a former student and a nice kid...)  The dealership is one of many under the same ownership and my particular car came from a different lot.  The thinking at this point is that they are the ones who will be underwriting this little enterprise.  I don't care.  My only input on the matter was that they let go of the past.  Perhaps they could pull up my lengthy, unhappy and very expensive record of purchases and repairs, look it over, relive the good times, revel in the memories from happier days when I just shut up and wrote the checks...live, love, laugh, as it were.  Then use that as part of the process for letting go.  We have entered into a new stage of our relationship and it is the one where I start getting as good as I've given.  

Now, because they care so deeply about me (and, quite possibly my future contributions to the company bonuses) they are suggesting that I drive with caution.  At any moment, it seems, my poor fragile, disposable tires could just give up on life and maybe try to take me with them in the process.  Or not.  Who knows with these things, really?  

(They said the same thing about my dearly departed truck a few months ago.  Maybe the engine will keep running.  Maybe it won't.  Maybe it will explode.  Maybe a genie will pop out and grant you all your fondest wishes.  Anything is possible...you just have to believe!)

I'll be knitting at home tonight.  I shall let my depressed tires rest and think about what they want to do.  They have until Thursday to make a decision because that's the day I'm taking them back to the dealership where someone will "take a look" at them.  Their fate will be decided at that point as will that of the lamebrain who is going to be paying for this.  

I'm currently reviewing the knitting basket for appropriate WIPs to take with.  I'm thinking lace.  Not because I can really knit lace under those circumstances, mind you...

It's just that the needles are sharper.

SA

16 comments:

mehitabel said...

Go get 'em, Sheepie! How dare they sell you a car with defective tires?
Don't tell my truck, but I really hate vehicles of all kinds--they are worse than cats and kids for costing money and causing wear and tear on the nervous system.
However, you will want to replace those puppies (at their expense) to avoid having something like the tire on my blog from back in June. Just sayin'!

Anonymous said...

Coming out of lurking to say, "good for you!" Take your sharp needles and gesture meaningfully with them, and stand up for yourself. It's time to feel powerful. I'm cheering you on.
Nancy NeverSwept

Mel said...

The very pithy saying, "That dog don't hunt," comes to mind. Sharp is good. Very good.

I won't be at CWS tonight, either, since this was the earliest my hairstylist was available to get my mop under control.

Anonymous said...

Well I shall miss both The Sheep nad Dr Mel tonight. No Julie or Sharon either? Who is left to get me into trouble? Maybe Patti will rise to the occasion. Good Luck at the dealership!! Give 'em hell.
Carol

Knitting Linguist said...

Yup, sharp needles seem like a good idea. Of course, maybe really sharp dpns in some socks would be even better, as there would be more points to go around. Give 'em heck for us!

Anonymous said...

Be sure to use your teacher voice when you talk with them. That will let them know who's right.

Kath said...

Oh I'd just love to be able to hear that conversation at the dealership on Thursday!

sheep#100 said...

With respect to the lace needles, Number Guy says, "It is good to be prepared."

With respect to the tire situation, I say, "Make a bloody nuisance of your Sheepie self. Demand to speak with the management. Insist that three month old tires with the associated mileage accumulation should not be 'in the red zone'."

Definitely the dealership's responsibility - they sold you the lemon tires and must now pony up to replace them.

You can even tell them to call me and I shall be happy to fill them in on what it is they must do to keep a Sheep happy - and returning for oil changes regularly.

Anonymous said...

You go girl! Don't you dare pay a penny for those tires; but DO insist on having them replaced. I don't want to think about what could happen to a sheep should a tire explode while said sheep is driving on the highway!

Sounds like it was a small group tonight!

Teri S. said...

Tires should definitely last longer than three months, especially since you aren't making the trek to and from school any more. You might want to get a second opinion from someone other than the dealer, who seems to have a vested interest of relieving you of your money. Can the Dreamy Mechanic help you out?

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

oh man! the nerve of them! you tell 'em!

Cursing Mama said...

I can't believe you didn't hold onto the truck until that Genie thing happened.

Yarnhog said...

Those tires should be covered under some sort of warranty. When you buy new tires they are. Certainly with a new car, they ought to be covered either by the car warranty or by a tire warranty. And if they're not, you give 'em heck!

Anonymous said...

This was a new car with, presumably, new tires? Sheesh. Give 'em hell, and while you're at it, ream 'em a new one. We are all cheering for you.

Ronni said...

You tell 'em! And I'm just in the mood to pin a few ears back (I had a less polite phrase in there but decided to behave) so feel free to call on me if you need back up in the dripping on of scorn area.

Jacqui said...

i agree with Teri that you should get a second opinion before your appointment so you are best armed for the show.

definitely take either Addi's or Boye's with you and definitely make THEM pay for the replacements!