Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Independent Woman.

I have been going to the same oil change place since I got my license. They do a good job, they're friendly, efficient, and cheap. Now that I'm married, Garth usually takes my car in for oil changes but I had some extra time and I knew I was due for one. So I was an independent woman and on a mission. I was also a bit lazy because I went to a new place that was on the way to work. The place was not crowded and my car was finished in 10 minutes flat. I was so proud of myself...until he said the price. $40 for a stinkin' oil change! I almost had a heart attack - I usually only pay $19 AND I get a tire rotation.
I called Garth and he was pretty mad. This is how the conversation went down:
Garth: "Why didn't you ask the price before you had your oil changed?"
Me: "I just assumed it would be $19 like the place I always go."
Garth: "I can't believe you didn't ask before you had it done."
Me: "I'm sorry. I guess we will keep you in charge of oil changes."

The next day we were driving and saw a sign for an oil change for $14.95. Wife FAIL.

42 comments:

Jen McCrady said...

ohhhhh you're not the only one. i promise. :) same thing happened to me!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! Yes, I'm only allowed to take my tahoe to certain places to get the oil changed. You're not the only one who's had this problem :)

Annie said...

i wouldn't think to ask either. you learned and won't do it again ;)
i don't remember the last time i brought a car in for an oil change myself, i think it's been at least 8 years! ha!

The Pink Chick said...

Oh no! I hate it when things like that happen!

Meagan said...

That is pretty pricey for an oil change, what a rip off!

Lauren said...

Totally feel for you, I'm actually the one that takes our cars, but only because I can drop them off and then walk to work. I'm sure I would have gotten the 3rd degree as well!

Sara said...

If it wasn't the oil change it would have been something else. It happens to all of us. Now you know and likely it won't happen again. You'll both be laughing about it in no time!

Kristin said...

oh no! how funny but not. lol in my house we all were responsible for changing our own oil, well i got smart and thought i'd take it in and get it changed and my dad would never know...well it ended up being 48 dollars and i only had 20 so i had to call my dad to drive 20 mintues over there to bail me out. he was not impressed. so i def feel for you.

Perfectly Imperfect said...

i've done the exact same thing.. more than once =) mr. perfect says it's because i don't pay attention... oops!

Samantha said...

Aaawww, Lindsey, don't feel bad!! Those oil places get the best of us!

Jules said...

don't you hate it when you try to take some work off of them and just end up messing it all up? I've done that a few times too... which is why Greg is 100% in charge of vehicle maintenance these days (=

but hey, kudos for trying. it seems insane that you could get it for 19(or 15) bucks at one place then go down the street and pay 40! I wouldnt have thought about asking either.

Tara Gibson said...

you are not the only one sweetie. I remember getting my oil changed by myself for the first time and they told me i had all these fluids low and they are were just taking advantage of me! so stupid on my part!

TexanCouture said...

Those prices sound magical to me my car requires a special kind of oil and cost 75 for change on the cheap end

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

Live and Learn. I pay $40 here in Texas.

Gwen said...

I paid $60 for an oil change once. I let them do synthetic oil without knowing the difference. Now I get the hubby to do it so I don't screw anything up. LOL!!! XOXO

Justine said...

This is exactly why I don't take our car in for "work". Haha :)

THE Stephanie said...

Been there. Done that. And like you, I have returned this duty to my hubby. :)

AmyT said...

awwlll there is no telling what else they did...I go to a place that is 19 too...and cheaper on 'ladies day'...they always try to sell me other things...filters, wipers.....the high grade stuff - I always say no no no my husband does that...I just want the 19$$$....BUT they should have asked you if you wanted the other things!!!!!

That Fresh Feeling said...

I can totally relate to this story. Anything dealing with the car is officially my husband's territory and I want it that way
:-)

Patience said...

Oil changes are a complete rip off, then they always need to replace your air filter or you need a trans flush, how would I know, I just trust them. It is best to let your husband handle this area. Far too much work if you ask me.

katie + bret said...

Oh pish posh. Chalk it up to a learning experience and move on. Garth can just deal.

Lucy Marie said...

Oh I would totally do the same thing. Hubby does our oil changes himself because he has a shop he can work in ... but if I were to take it, I would definitely do some kind of fail like that. You live and you learn :D

Unknown said...

We're due for service too. I usually just stick to the dealership.

Megan said...

I guess now we know why the place was not crowded! :-) Don't worry I have so done something like that before!

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

ohh bummer! but so proud that you were so good to get it done haha!

Lauren said...

What can you say? $40 lesson learned, haha!!! :)

Amber said...

My husband brings his car to a 5 minute place that costs like $65!! Annoys me to no end but he thinks it's worth it since he doesn't even have to get out of the car. Whatever!

Tasha said...

That happened to me too. I went to a different place because it was more convenient and got ripped off too. Good news = husbands have to be in charge of the oil changes now. :-)

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Garth went to that SAME place to get the oil changed if they would charge him the same? I'd be curious to experiment with that...get him to go there, and ASK BEFORE getting it done at what the price was, and THEN see what the say...THAT IS CRAZY expensive though...

Oh and we have had conversations like that numerously.

A New England Girl said...

hahah... adorable though! i always say let the men handle "man things" and this is one of those [at least, on my list!] :)

Jane said...

Hahaha, totally would do this too. Speaking of which, I need an oil change!

Milltini said...

Oh oops!!! I would totally do this. Good thing I don't have a car here in the city! I took a blogging break and missed catching up with you! Happy to be back and reading again ;-) Hope all is well.

Happiness Is... said...

Ha - totally something I would do! Whenever my husband corrects me, I tell him very nicely that I am glad we have an expert in the house because he's now in charge of that task. He once was upset at me for missing a bill in the mail, and guess who now pays ALL the bills. That's my strategy :)

saucyminx410 said...

This made me giggle. I may be independent in most areas of life but when it comes to my car I prefer to hand that over to Ben- I just have no interest! Excellent try though!

morewineplease said...

sweet heart this is going to happen many more times and your marriage... its ok ;)

Mrs. S. said...

Haha, it happens! I have done that before.

Miss Jody said...

Yes, I say "It's terrible, the different prices!!"
gah!!

Kristin said...

oh, I have given you a little something over at my blog! :)

JennyLee said...

This kind of stuff happens to all of us.

In This Wonderful Life said...

haha this is so me! My dad use to handle all my car situations! Every time I have ANY issue I call my dad right away!

d.a.r. said...

I mean, we have to have men around for something, right??? Haha!

LWLH said...

I let Big Man handle all things car related..I have no patience or knowledge of any of that stuff.