Tuesday, April 1, 2008

A bargain...or not.

The light in my car indicating that I needed an oil change became illuminated last week. I knew it was about that time but I always prefer that my car remind me personally before I take action. I promptly put it on my ‘to do’ list and thought about when I would fit it in to my schedule. Of course I have plenty of free time virtually every day but I feel more productive when I make lists and schedule certain times to do things, rather than just stopping at the shop on the way home from practice. It just so happens that there is a Jiffy Lube around the corner from where I live and I pass it on the way to pretty much all of my scheduled commitments—the track, weight room, chiropractor, and my massage therapist. Honestly, that’s all my life consists of. Anyway, I had seen a sign out front promoting a special ‘early bird’ price of $19.99 if you brought your car in between 7am and 9am. The deal was made even sweeter by the inclusion of a free coffee and bagel from Coffee Exchange, located just down the street. And not just a regular drip coffee, they were offering a free signature coffee drink. That’s like four bucks. And did I mention this place even has free Internet? sweeeeeet.

So I made the decision that Tuesday would be the day I got an oil change. I have to wake up early on Mondays to make it to the weight room by 8am, but Tuesdays are my day to sleep in and I was forfeiting that in exchange for a bargain. I set the alarm for 8:15 (hush) and made my way out of the house. Of course I had a moment’s hesitation when the alarm first went off, almost convincing myself that the extra sleep was worth the $10 bucks but then I remembered the free signature coffee drink and figured I would regret it if I stayed in bed. So off I went.

Can I just share with you for a second just how much I hate getting an oil change? I really despise these “customer service” agents that are constantly trying to make this whole ordeal into far more than a simple oil change. And perhaps I would listen and carefully consider their recommendations if it wasn’t for the fact that each and every time I go I am shown how filthy this filter is, how clogged this other thing is, how my windshield wipers are definitely not wiping how they should, and how I should definitely consider the upgraded oil that is twice as much as the posted price for an oil change. Maybe you’re right…or maybe that filter is always grey and collects a little dust. I did just buy this car brand new six months ago. And so today was no different, as they tried to convince me I am breathing air that would make people in China sick and that it is definitely recommended that my car use the premium oil. Umm, I drive a Honda Civic. This car doesn’t need premium anything. It’s precisely why I traded in my SUV to drive it—so that all things could be cheap and basic. If a Civic doesn't require the basic oil, what car does? And I know it might seem as if I just happened to show up before 9am and will be pleasantly surprised that my oil change is only $19.99, but it was most assuredly not. So therefore I am definitely NOT interested in paying $49.99. Not today.

So I proceeded to turn down this, that, and the other thing and finally I was ready to go. I happily signed my bill and the man handed me my keys and wished me a good day. But guess what he didn’t hand me? My coupon. So I quickly think to myself whether it’s worth calling him back over and asking for it. Perhaps I was mistaken and you have to get the upgraded oil in order to be eligible for the signature coffee and bagel. And since I was such a cheapskate then I certainly do not qualify. Beyond that, I think that I have a slight complex. Yes, I’m cheap and I love a good bargain, but I don’t always like to admit it. I’ll walk into a store and seem genuinely surprised as the sales clerk informs me that the whole back wall is an additional 50% off. Oh wow, that’s great. Actually that’s the only reason I’m in here. I’ll quickly browse through the front of the store but my sights are set on the sale rack. I don’t have a favorite shampoo and conditioner, I change my brand based on what’s on sale. I like to try the salon quality ones from time to time but I’d never want to pay full price for the stuff! So instead of admitting that I had woken up early specifically to get the sale price and a free coffee, I walk away with no coupon. And as soon as I drove away, I regretted it. It’s completely stupid of me, I know. Even if the coupon wasn’t available to me, what do I need to be embarrassed about for asking? Are the Jiffy Lube workers going to judge me and secretly talk about me as soon as I walk away? I doubt it. And now I’ll probably stay home tomorrow afternoon instead of enjoying an afternoon at Coffee Exchange on Jiffy’s expense.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

ha... so im assuming you went back and got the coupon seeing that you are skipping out on the coffe exchange on "jiffy's expense". that was pretty entertaining, sounds like a normal persons life... normal life is usually more entertaining than the made up lifes that we see/hear about.

Anonymous said...

hahahahaha
Seriously you are a wreck. Even though you were writing about an oil change, I knew it would still be entertaining and worth while to read. Afterall, if I wrote about my days it would consist of: 'Today I Changed Eight Diapers', or 'What It Feels Like to Get Pooped On', or how about my favorite 'Never Knew My Skin Could Sag Like That'. Even though all seem interesting, I assure you they really are not.
How about you be really cheap and change your oil yourself! That will save you some bucks and I heard guys thinks it's sexy!

White Flower said...

Bri, you KNOW I would be the first one to lobby for you! Where am I when you need me?!?

Oh yeah, in LA. Boo! Hurry and move home...

Anonymous said...

LOL You are not cheap. Maybe a little thrifty or frugal. Hey, I feel you though, every little bit counts and if you can get something for free, why not? If I were you, I would have driven back to the shop and demanded my coupon like it was reparations even if by chance I wasn't entitled to it. :-)

I live in Seattle and no lie, I have personally seen Bill Gates driving around town in a nondescript, early model car. It wasn't a quite a hoopty or a bucket, but it certainly wasn't befitting of someone who could afford to buy a different Bentley for every day of the YEAR!! Point is, it's ok to be a bargain seeker. That's how alot of the rich became rich. However, you should periodically allow yourself life's little luxuries. Treat yourself to that two-ply roll every now and then, sweetness. :-)

Anonymous said...

Somehow someway, I would've hinted around to my coupon.

LOL @ perusing the front of the store knowing good and well that your sights are set on the clearance rack. I sooooo feel you on that one. I don't like to look all cheap and frugal but...

anonymousnupe said...

Yeah, they'd be talkin' 'bout you, but it wouldn't have anything to do with your parsimoniousness, gal.

creolejoe said...

save ur reciept go back and be like oh i forgot about the coupon ya'll are offering and when i paid ya'll you forgot to offer me as you "jiffy" stated on your sign out front--thanks--enjoy the coffe exchange tomorrow--ciao-joe

creolejoe said...

save ur reciept go back and be like oh i forgot about the coupon ya'll are offering and when i paid ya'll you forgot to offer me as you "jiffy" stated on your sign out front--thanks--enjoy the coffe exchange tomorrow--ciao-joe

eclectik said...

wOw LOL@ Sights set on that back wall.

The best thing is being cheap/having cheap things that dont look/behave like they are.

Lemme guess...Green Civic?

Special shout outs to the Jiffsters! lol

e.

Ron Bramlett said...

Cmon! A civic is the easiest car to do an oil change on! That's a 20 min job at most!

Jack up car, remove plug, drain oil, remove oil filter, wait 5 minutes, replace plug, install new oil filter, lower car, put fresh 5w30 in.. Thats it!

Brakes are pretty easy to do on a civic, also. That's the fun thing about honda/acura. They're pretty easy when its comes to maintenance stuff. The plugs and filters are always easily accessible on honda/acura. Its easy.

As long as you don't mind getting a little dirty.. I'm sure long jumpers don't mind getting a LITTLE dirty, right?

Kash P said...

Dood that would be so hot to see you with an oil stained shirt and dirty hands crawling from underneath a jacked up Civic. I think you should follow Rons advice and let me capture the whole experience on camara.

Nigel "6five" Bigbee said...

I'm not much of a Coffee drinker but a nice toasted bagel would be yummy. I would have been like, UMM? do I get a bagel and coffee because it says it on the sign? lol They would have had to explain to me why I wasn't getting a toasted bagel w/ cream cheese.

Brianna said...

LOL @ me changing my own oil!!! now that's a riot.

Sandy Gonzales said...

The main point that the service people at auto shops offer to change and fix things other than what you went there for in the first place is to help you keep your car in tip-top shape. I think it’s great that they offer, but never force those changes on the customer. It’s a shame you missed out on the free coffee and bagel, but if you get your oil changed regularly, you’ll have other chances at it for sure!