We've lost 425$

Shurikane · Dim Panties As String Joined: 24 Sep 2002

Normally, that sort of thing would go in Conversations Between Mom and I but this story here is on a completely different and much more serious level.

I recently got myself a new car. The tires and rims were of different size than my previous car, so I had to buy myself a new set of winter tires.

Surprizingly, my mother violates her own principles by suggesting I buy them used. On that same week, while I'm busy with a particularly hectic period at school, she ends up buying a set of Toyos on rims, originally on a Toyota Corolla but guaranteed that they will fit on my car make and model (a Honda Accord.) I then call a garage to schedule the tire change.

I bring the car to the garage. Five minutes later, the mech comes to me with two problems. First, the rims don't fit. Second and much more important: three of the four tires are used beyond safety measures, two of which no longer having any warning bands!

Mom was supposed to catch up with me at the garage anyway, so I tell the guy to park my car elsewhere while I wait for her to discuss the matter. Mom arrives. We end up buying a new set of tires and rims. The garage tells me they don't have any in stock, so he orders a set, and says he'll put them on the rims and balance them as soon as they arrive, then call me to schedule another tire change. The end result is a bill of 970$ (CDN) after tax.

Once we get outside, the following conversation ensues.

Me: "Do you still have the phone number of the guy who sold you the tires?"
Mom: "No. And I'm not calling him back."
Me: "Mom, those used tires cost 425$. We can do a lot of shit with 425$."
Mom: "Do you expect me to call him and admit I've been jacked?!"
Me: "Yesssss...!"
Mom: "No. I won't call him."
Me: "If you don't wanna call him, then I will!"
Mom: "No."

Without further word, she gets into her car and drives away. That's right. She refuses to step over her pride and claim back the money she spent for tires that happened to be worn out.

End result: We've lost 425$.

Ming · DOOM! Gender: Joined: 13 Jan 2003

I say you find out who the guy is, call him anyway, then kick his ass for trying to take your mom.

Blackmage · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 2:32 am Post subject:

I agree with Ming, it really pisses me off when people do that. When me and one of my friends we hanging out and going from place to place looking to find out about getting her A/C working on her DSM people we asking me questions even after I pointed at her and said she knows the car.

RivaOni · Full English! Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

I completely agree with Ming. It might not be a matter of pride with your mum, it might something else, like shes worried this bloke who sold her the tyres will kick off into something

Shurikane · Dim Panties As String Joined: 24 Sep 2002

I'd gladly go ahead and demand justice, but there is one hurdle that keeps me from doing this: I don't know who the guy is, what's his phone number of where he lives. I have zero information about him and mom flat out refuses to give me info on him. I suspect she has thrown the information away anyways as soon as she got the tires.

Daijaga · Chosen of Luck Gender: Joined: 17 Dec 2003

Actaully, the guy who sold her the tires is nearly innocent in this case. Shuri's mother bought used tries from a guy it sounds like she didn't know very well and knowing full well she didn't have the next idea about tires. Forgive me for being the negitive nancy here, but I don't change my own oil filter, replace my spark plugs, or even refill my windshield wiper fluid - becuase I don't know anything about cars and I'm aware of that. I assure you that I certainly wouldn't buy my own set of tires much less some for a vehicle I don't even drive.

But thats only half of the equation - she's letting her pride get in the way of the right thing, which is properly rerimanding the man and if nessessary bringing him to small claims court. It would only be a small legal matter to have the money forcfully returned, or the guy might even give it up all on his own, but no one will ever know because she refuses to overcome her own inhibition.

So while the guy that sold her the tires was certainly shady, the situation was neither unpreventable nor irreversable. The only person preventing this situtation from being properly resolved is Shuri's okaasan.

Girkon · Chop Chop Fiend Gender: Joined: 29 Sep 2004

Lesson learned, never be afraid to take someone with you who knows how to play the game when it comes to knowing good quality in case you feel you're lacking.

Ming · DOOM! Gender: Joined: 13 Jan 2003

The point is that we all have a certain moral obligation. If I was selling tires to someone who I could tell clearly did not know very much about them, I wouldn't take advantage. That's what happened in this situation, and it's a shame that there are so many people in this world who will do something like that.

Actually, nearly this same situation happened with my Aunt, except she bought tires from a tire store. She went in because my Uncle told her that her car needed new tires. She went in to get them replaced, and the guy ended up selling her a set of high-performance tires (even though she only drives around town) for around $1000. My Uncle was furious that they would take advantage like that and brought them back and had them replaced with normal tires.

But I guess it shouldn't surprise me, as that particular place is always trying to take someone for a ride. I blew a tire on my car, and wanted a replacement. So when I brought it in, the guy, without even looking really, was like, "Yeah, you're gonna need to replace all 4." I was like, "For one tire?" and he was like, "Yeah. If you don't have 4 of the exact same tires it can be dangerous." Fortunately I know a little about cars, so I told him no, and my dad and I went to this auto supply store because my dad is real good friends with the guy, and he knows pretty much anything there is to know about cars. He got on the phone with a friend of his, and I got two tires replaced (it turned out another did have to get replaced anyway) for $100.

Tobias · *explodes* Age: 38 Gender: Joined: 17 Jan 2003

Id say talk to your mom about getting the number first, and then if that part succeeds, you call the guy, and tell him nicely that the tires are a piece of crap. After that, just tell him that you would gladly keep the tires, but at the same time, would like your money back, and that you'll dispose of the trash yourself...that its not worth the time nor the gas to take it back to him and give the tires back to him.

Note: you need to do this in the nicest voice as possible for the most preferred effect Very Happy

*explodes*

But to comment on the situation...this is an ethical situation. Especially on the fact that he pretty much DID take advantage. Now, im with a family that is bent on correcting that which has been wronged...so i have to agree with my brother on this one. What happened was not right, and it deserves being brought to the attention of the guy who sold the tires, and that the problem should be avoided by having someone go with you that can take a good look at the goods themselves to make sure it is legit.

That is all

Kothar_Isk · Shadow Mage Gender: Joined: 22 Nov 2005

Find out who he is kick he cheating A$$, then tell me who he is and I will lay a hex of the ages upon him.