Drive-by

[digitaldiscipline]

Finally got my taxes filed. Took 3 hours for federal approval, state is still pending. That's a couple hundred bucks that will be very nice to have, because. . .

I just got off the phone with the Audi dealership. When I picked my car up 3 weeks ago, it had been almost-fixed (the important, bad-breaky things were addressed, small new annoying things had happened, other annoying issues have been intentionally left fallow), but due to some confusion on their part as to how much I would be responsible for, and how much my shitty warranty covers, they sent me on my way without charging me anything. I called to follow up today. . . the discrepancy between what the warranty people are trying to get away with paying and the total balance is something like FIFTEEN HUNDRED dollars (and the warranty fucks are trying to weasel in something about a $100 "deductible" from their coverage. Last time I checked, power seats and door locks were covered by my policy, kids - I know that some of the suspension parts will be out of my pocket, but that's the extent of it. Winning brownie points, the lady at the dealership let me know that they're trying to lean on the warranty fucks to cough up for everything they ought to.

However, this leaves me in limbo, since I still have the small, annoying issues.

And, just because things were starting to go too well on the automotive front, a fairly large part of my car fell off yesterday (the plastic pan underneath the engine bay), presumably because it was not put back on correctly by the 5-Minute Oil Change place I used Wednesday. They have been called and advised of this. . . "You drive a Cavalier, sir?" "No, a 1996 Audi." "Oh." I could -hear- the manager's voice drop as he saw the replacement cost go from $35 to $200. "I'll need to call my supervisor, do you have a number we can reach you at?"

I wish I had twenty grand to put towards a 350Z, in pewter. At least I have a coupon for half a percent off of my next car loan, through my credit union, though I'd prefer not to have a car payment at this point in the game.

On a more upbeat note, K & I found the perfect card for ladysoleil's wedding. Muahahahaha. And everyone who shows up in Vegas that we know and like is getting Mardi Gras beads. Displays of flesh may be negotiated, preferably during and after the assassination of many Jedis.

Comments

[angel-renewed.livejournal.com]

Displays of flesh may be negotiated

So, you want a good shake of TheOneAss?

*runs like hell*

[etcet.livejournal.com]

That'll take A LOT of Jedi's. K, on the other hand, might be more receptive to the idea.

"Show Us Your Twins!"

hehehehe.

[dcfeline.livejournal.com]

*sends good car karma your way*

I've been there....was lied to by my dealership and ended up spending $3,000 on a new transmission for my old Cabrio (which I gave to my mother when I got my new one...she had MAJOR Cabrio envy)...because they said it wasn't covered under my warranty.

Hang in there things will get better...I promise!::BIG BIG SQUISHY HUG::

[etcet.livejournal.com]

I'll give the dealership this much - they have never lied to me. Provided incredibly incompetent and lacksadaisical service, yes, but they've been honest and pleasant.

I swear, the warranty strife must be the last residue of Pennsylvania life giving its level best to make me glad I left that fucking state. NEVER use a third-party warranty company. The fucks at the Penn Warranty Company are cheapskates, shysters, and first-rate assholes. I'm sure they consider their stance "good business and financial responsibility." I call it "not providing services as defined by a contract."

[dcfeline.livejournal.com]

Got any lawyers who are friends who will work pro bono for you on this? Might not hurt to have one in your corner to expedite things. Do you have a copy of the warranty. Can you go through the warranty and select the text where it covers the work...copy it...highlight it...and mail that to them with a letter stating that this should be covered and if they will not cover the work you will be forced to seek legal counsel??

I dealt with this...know what you're going through. Except...my dealership is full of assholes. Try not having the service dept call you back when you've left 5 messages when your car is about to die. UGH. Stohlman's sucks ASS!!!!!!

I *was* thinking of getting the new convertible Beetle after it's been around for a bit...like in 2 or 3 years...now...will never buy another car from them. Going to Alexandria Volkswagen from here on out...my dealership is just nasty.

[ladysoleil.livejournal.com]

How much flesh are we talking about?

(health tip- I don't think you wanna offer Silent P any beads...)

[etcet.livejournal.com]

*snork* No, I certainly wouldn't, anyways. heheh.

[argylerockstar.livejournal.com]

I once owned an Audi. I named it Lucifer because it was da' DEVIL! It broke down every Sunday, without fail!

[anditron.livejournal.com]

you bring a whole new meaning to the phrase gag me with a volkeswagon sideways just switch audi for vw.

btw, what's it like being ripped a new asshole by your car?

sorry for all the problems, that was really meant to make you laugh. i'm not very funny though i'm afraid. :/

[etcet.livejournal.com]

it's the thought that counts, right? *wink*

(i promise to try and read your story tonight or over the weekend)

Re:

[anditron.livejournal.com]

re: the story... it's 380 pages irl. only the first maybe 20 pages are up there so far. so believe me no hurries, no worries, no rushes.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

what bakes my noodle is that the car was FINE until coming to NOLA (well, if you disregard the time the jackass in the pickup hit me right after I got it).

argh. the clusterfuck of incomplete repairs is pretty well screwing what trade-in value it has/had.

recommendations?

[lil-m-moses.livejournal.com]

Between your stories and the stories some coworkers were telling me last week (including one regarding temporary loss of braking on wet roads, which appears to be a rare but widespread problem and hasn't been recalled), I don't think I'll ever get an Audi. Eesh. ={

[etcet.livejournal.com]

i love my car, it's stylish, performs well, and, until recently, hadn't needed anything more dramatic than new tires and scheduled maintenance. but louisiana has not been kind to my car - the sunroof, whatever shattered my windshield, and the blazing incompetence of the only dealership in town. . . it's maddening.

i do, however, have the name and address of the VP of Customer Service for Audi USA, and he's going to be kept apprised of matters. Really, the real shitheads here are the warranty people for not paying for what the warranty says they should pay for, and the general incompetence of the audi technician. K suggested that it's some kind of passive-aggressive backlash because of my bumper stickers, which are sharpy at odds with traditional christian/baptist tenets ("the devil is cute," "satan works for ME now," and "follow me to certain death"). if that's actually the case, i'm going to get a row of pikes and start collecting heads.