maugorn: (Default)
I was a very good boy. Since I don't have a lot of work happening right now, I slowed any spending way down, and put off non-critical purchases and saved up my money for a new windshield for the van.
And I made a point of not driving the van as often with the big scary, spreading, ugly crack in front of me.
I didn't get myself pulled over for it or anything. It was all on my schedule, so yay.

I received a very generous deposit from a gig that was supposed to happen in Jan, and got moved to March, and with that and some income saved in little increments, I was ready, and I ambled over to our chosen glass place-

Who told me: "Oh no, we can't replace that windshield, because you have rust damage on the 'pinch weld'."
They don't fix that, only body shops do that kind of work.

The old "This is an easy fix, except for YOU or YOURS" card.

That play doesn't happen as often as it used to, but it's still WAY disheartening when it does.
Once upon a time, that one bit of news could spiral a needed fix right out of my reach and if it was needed on someone else's stoopid schedule, well, I'd be hosed. Again.

So that's how I felt this morning. I'd spent all afternoon yesterday calling place after place, dealing with language and attitude barriers, to find out that this is a specialised job and that, while straightforward, was not cheap. And it certainly wasn't one that I felt ready to even attempt DIY.

The job would get done, and we can afford to do it, but it wouldn't be fun or easy to take the blow.
So I wasn't hosed. That's improvement, and I'll take it,
but nonetheless the day dawned dark and broody.

That didn't stop me tho, from being a nice guy today.
[livejournal.com profile] luscious_purple's car needs a new fuel pump. A mechanic quoted her a price that was over $800 to fix it. This isn't just inflated, this is downright wrong and immoral.
So I took a little jaunt down to Brandywine Auto today where I was sold a used fuel pump for $75.
And now, all that has to happen is that her car gets towed a few miles to the place I know who is totally cool with installing parts you bring them, and tad-da! that repair bill goes way way down.

So...
While I was waiting for the part to be pulled, I ambled over to Brandywines' "Auto Glass" counter and explained my plight with the van to them. They gave me a "can do" scenario where they use the gasket I have (that's been phased out in later models) and install a new windshield without the "pinch weld" repair that would be *necessary* if they upgraded the installation to gluing it in. The rust will still be there and it may leak afterwards, and I may need to treat spots with epoxy or RTV, but that will be my problem, and it can all happen on my time and my budget, INCLUDING upgrading later, if I wish.
A new windshield installed this way will be just a few$ more than the glass place was gonna charge me, and I may be able to bring that cost down if they have a used windshield in good shape that fits.

So Karma defeats the bad stuff today, and my being a nice guy makes my own life easier and better!
Who woulda thunk it?

Profile

maugorn: (Default)
Maugorn

July 2025

M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
141516 17181920
21222324252627
28293031   

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit