And it Gets Worse Before it Gets Better
@just4him (323168)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
February 28, 2019 3:52pm CST
After the hospital today, and on the way home from the library because I couldn't get into the parking lot here until 3, I stopped by a car body shop to talk prices. I asked for the best case scenario for the brake problem and told him also I need a tuneup. When you put the two prices together it's what I make in one month. That's not going to happen.
My thoughts, before I call my mechanic son, is to have them tow the car to the junkyard. It will save me money for the registration, due next month, money for car insurance, and money for gas. What it will do is leave me without a car, though my friend down the hall told me I could use her car when necessary. She even gave me her spare key.
So, I called my son, and am expecting a call back when he's available so I can tell him what happened and hear what he has to say about everything. I know he can fix it for a lot less than my full month's paycheck. After he looks it over and gives me an estimate, I'll know better what to do with it.
He just called me back, and it's already looking better. He has a car trailer to take the car out of the YWCA parking lot and take it to his place since he can't work on it here. He's already assured me it will cost a lot less than my month's check.
I'm already breathing easier after talking with him. From worse to better in a matter of moments.
So far, that's been my day with the previous post about the car. I hope your day has been much better. Thanks for reading.
24 people like this
22 responses
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Feb 19
Sounds like you have come up against the same feelings I had about two years ago. I went to drive my car and realized it had some issues after not being driven much for several months. I decided against keeping it. You are so lucky to have family that can help you.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Mar 19
@just4him .....Yah, darn cars anyway.
1 person likes this
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
28 Feb 19
And i hope it gets more better as the time goes by
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Mar 19
Thank you. It's starting to work out. My son is going to fix it and I'll have it towed to his place tomorrow.
@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Mar 19
You are so lucky to have a son who's a mechanic! I wish I had a family member who was a mechanic. I spend a fortune on repairs to my truck every time something goes wrong.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Mar 19
@just4him At least you have a backup plan with the option to ride the bus. I don't have bus service where I live. I'd have to walk or ride a bike a few miles to get to the nearest bus stop.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
3 Mar 19
@moffittjc That's surprising as it seems there's bus service everywhere now. I hope it won't come to the bus as it's a real pain in this small city.
1 person likes this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
28 Feb 19
Isn't it brilliant having a close family member who knows about automobiles! Sadly, I have to pay a dealer for even the simples things needed doing on my car
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (209009)
• United States
28 Feb 19
Sons can be pretty helpful sometimes! Mine fixed my oven for me, and changed all the smoke detector batteries, which was a bit difficult because they are all wired in to the same system. He also usually cleans my gutters.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209009)
• United States
1 Mar 19
@just4him He doesn't mind doing physical work.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135847)
• Marion, Ohio
1 Mar 19
Glad he can get it fixed for you. Brakes can get very expensive and even higher on a truck.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135847)
• Marion, Ohio
1 Mar 19
@just4him I am looking at 800 at least when I need them. That is starting point for just part changing.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Mar 19
Yes, they can. I was shocked when the guy quoted me on the brakes.
@garymarsh6 (24027)
• United Kingdom
1 Mar 19
OH dear what a shame. I am glad your son is going to help repair it for you!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24027)
• United Kingdom
2 Mar 19
@just4him My younger brother was the same he is absolutely brilliant as a mechanic and his work is sought after by the big dealerships., He has his own garage but from an academic point of view I don't think he even has a basic qualification in anything which is in complete contrast to the rest of us!
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Mar 19
@garymarsh6 That's wonderful you have a brother who is good that way also.
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Mar 19
Thank you. I can't believe I was so stupid to pray for a man who wasn't a mechanic as a husband. I got what I prayed for. However, my son is smart and loved to be near cars from the moment he was old enough to know what a tool was used for. He watched and learned, and though he never went to school, he's a great mechanic and knows his way around cars.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
1 Mar 19
@just4him I'm glad it all worked out for you. I don't blame him. It must be awful trying to work on the car is such frigid weather, and the thought of handling those cold tools make me shiver just thinking about it. He will fix it, eventually, and for much less than any other mechanic. You have a wonderful friend and neighbor. If we lived closer, I'd hand you our car keys, too. 
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Mar 19
I knew he was working and he can't take calls. When I did call him, he was just getting off work. I've been to the Y with him. He looked over the car, and I'm towing it to his place tomorrow. He doesn't like working on cars in winter, and I don't blame him. He doesn't have a garage to work in. It's all outside, and it's going to be Arctic blast wind chills again Sunday and Monday. He told me not to expect it soon. I told him no problem.
I'm so grateful for my friend down the hall. I would be a mess without her help in allowing me to use her car. So, I can get where I need to go, so I won't miss the pool, except tomorrow.
Besides, I was at the hospital all morning and nothing I could do until I could get to my car with him, so it all worked out.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
1 Mar 19
Unfortunately, cars cost too much. And we have to expect that when something goes wrong. Its good your son is a mechanic though and can make it cheaper on you
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Mar 19
Yes, that's the best thing. He told me it would cost no more than $50 for everything. That I can handle. I'll have it towed to his home tomorrow. I need to call the insurance and find out if I need to use a specific towing company.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Mar 19
@Courtlynn Yes, it would. Especially when he found the leak, so the best case scenario the car guy quoted me would have been a lot more.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
1 Mar 19
@just4him thats not bad at all. Itd definitely be more at a car place.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
1 Mar 19
I'm glad your son can do it for much cheaper! That's good news.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54716)
• United States
28 Feb 19
It's wonderful that your son can fix it
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54716)
• United States
1 Mar 19
@just4him my husband has been working on ours today. It saves money.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Mar 19
Yes, I am definitely praising God for his, my son's, help in getting it fixed. God is good. I know I'll come through this test, which I'm sure it is.
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
28 Feb 19
If you look at the estimate on paper you`ll see most of the cost is labor. The parts will cost maybe $50 to $100.
If you ever wonder the price for parts call the parts place and ask, my sister always asks them first.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Mar 19
@andriaperry Yes, I'm very grateful he can. Thank you.
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
1 Mar 19
@just4him Thank God! That sounds so much better, good that you have a son that can do it for you.
1 person likes this
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
1 Mar 19
Thank God you have a mechanic son, otherwise the scenario would have been different, right? I am glad that you found a cheaper way out of this! I hope you can use your car soon.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 Mar 19
It will be a while before I get it back. It's winter and all the work will need to be done outside. He will only be able to do it on nice warmer days.
