'92 s10 Blazer 4.3 4x4 factory air. That established, a little background. Here in the hinterlands of (you guessed it) New Jersey a guy was picking his wife up from work one chilly midnight and decided that the interior of the truck was a little too cool for his wife's comfort. Needless to say the heater core choose that time to start leaking, filling the interior with that wonderful combination of water and antifreeze vapor that we have all come to know and love. Not only did the windshield fog over almost instantly but his glasses as well, making it verrrrry innnterestinng (tribute to Arte Johnson-Laugh In) trying to drive along route 72 at 55 mph. Through the judicious use of his vehicles brakes, some blind (joke) luck and a good deal of panic (no joke) he was able to get safely stopped without killing himself or any of the local wildlife, including drivers coming the other way. The following morning he made some phone calls to try to get the best price for a heater core replacement. The prices ranged from about $150.00 to $225.00 installed. He then had what he considered a stroke of genius, he called the Strauss discount auto parts store where his brother works as a mechanic and was quoted a price over the phone that was only two dollars higher than the lowest price he had been quoted locally. Being a loyal and loving brother he decided to drive the twenty or so miles to said Strauss store and let his brother do the work as he gets paid a commission on the labor charge. So he drives to the shop without incident, arriving slightly before his brother is scheduled to begin work. Parking the truck he saunters nonchalantly inside to present the key to the "service manager" (quotes are mine) , and prepares to wait for the service to be completed. In the course of discussion the "service manager" (see above), informs him that the price is now $256.00 for the job that was quoted at $152.00. In the course of vehemently discussing the minor difference in quotes it was decided that the Strauss store would not be doing the job and Our Hero strode purposefuly out of the store and drove over to his brother's house where he manfully confronted his brother about the minor difference in price quotes. After attempting to enlarge his brother's rectum by tearing him a new one Our Hero drove with a heavy heart back to his domicile where he pondered his next move. Calling the shop where he had gotten the lowest quote he now had some time to kill while waiting for the appointed time to present his slightly soggy Blazer for repair. Due consideration has produced the following thoughts; 1. Always get it in writing. 2. It was NOT his brothers fault. 3. He wishes to express his public apology to his brother for over reacting to the situation. 4. He also wishes to express his apology to the group for a long winded post but it has helped him calm down and look at it rationally (I hope). 5. The moral of our story? I'm not sure there is one. There are so many to choose from, you can pick whatever fits and insert it here.
nomailopened 10/04/03 This post has been sent as an e mail to Our Hero's brother in the hope that the apology will be accepted.