An automotive conspiracy.

A certain nameless car fixing place (can you tell from the jargon that I know less than nothing about fixing or maintaining cars?) has me doubting the honesty of their employees. A few months back, our car developed an annoying squeak which seemed to be coming from the front on the driver's side. We took the car to the fixing place, where after a little while, they admitted they didn't know what was wrong. They put some grease on a few bits to try to help, but didn't charge for it. We go on with the annoying squeak.

Not long after, the exhaust gets noisy and the acceleration has lost a little of its 'oomph'. Back we go to the car fixers. It turns out that two big chunks of the exhaust need replacing. It'll cost over £250. Now, a mind more cynical than mine might think that a little dodgy, to have a previously working car go kaput shortly following the first visit that happened to not cost anything. It's not outside the realms of possibility that the problem might have been set up during that first visit. Still, it was paid, it was fixed, and on we went.

Just before Christmas the car starts to make a noise more like a motorcycle. A little pissed off, we head back to the car fixers, thinking they might have messed up the job last time. Apparently, it's the other bit of the exhaust they didn't replace last time. That they in fact gave a green light to last time. That'll be another £200 plus, cheers. This seems decidedly off. But what do I know about fixing cars or what might go wrong with them? Cock all, that's what. They fix it, again. As a parting gift, they let us know that they haven't fixed the noise, but it can be sorted easily with a bit of duct tape. If we bring some in they'll do it, no charge. Considering what happened the last time they had a look at a noise for no charge (a noise which was never fixed), I don't think I'll bother.

So it may be my lack of knowledge here, but there seems to be a distinct possibility they're swindling cunts. Guess I'll never know.