Money Money Money

Friday I went to get my oil changed in my car. I figured it was about time since it's way over the miles. I had a coupon for $14 off at my Acura dealership. I make an appointment, knowing that it will be even longer if I don't. Even with a stupid appointment it still takes 60-80 minutes. Ugh! I always bring a book to read hoping to pass the time. After about an hour my service guy comes up and tells me my back break pads need to be changed, as in they wouldn't pass inspection. Oh geez! I know it was about time for all this to start happening, so I wasn't worried that he was playing me as a "dumb girl". They wanted $169 just for the break pads. Ummm....no, that didn't sound so appealing to me. I told him I didn't want to pay that, and could they give me a better deal or I'd go elsewhere. He came back telling me they'd do it for $151. Funny the things you'll get if you talk about going somewhere else. Haha!

For those of you that don't know, the first of the year I changed my Dish Network packaging to include HD programming (for my fabulous TV), meaning I had to get a new HD receiver. I called Dish wanting them to switch out my receiver, and begin paying the higher prices to get my great channels. They wanted to charge $100 or some such thing which I thought was stupid. I'm already a customer and you can't give me a better price then that? Nope! I then proceeded to tell the lady that I would be calling Direct TV instead because they had a promotion going for FREE HD receivers, none of this stupid $100 fee crap! I was told to hold as they put me through to the manager. She told me she would waive the $100 fee and they would install everything for free (which is what I wanted to begin with). Why is it that you have to threaten to leave or go somewhere else before you are given a good deal? If you are already a customer, shouldn't you be given the good deals to begin with?