It's $80.70 if you weren't aware. That's how much I paid a Midas service representative to tell me that I'm not the brightest tack in the shed. Let me explain.
So yesterday, Lindsay and I were cleaning out the interior of our cars. Everything was going fine and dandy, just getting rid of ancient artifacts that have somehow survived all of the other cleanings over the years. One of these artifacts is part of this mysterious box that sits under my dashboard. Inserting into the box is some computer chip connected to a handle. For about 5 years since owning my car I have wondered what the heck that thing is. Many times I've pulled out the chip, examined it and placed it back into its happy little spot. Well, yesterday things were different. I decided, after I bumped it and it fell to the ground, that it deserved to be permanently put to rest. So I threw it away.
Lets fast-forward to this morning. I go to start my car and nothing happens. Now this wasn't exactly surprising to me since this car has given me many troubles over the recent past. So after class Andrew helped me to tow the car to Midas. The whole way I'm thinking about what could have caused this problem. "Oh, it's got to be the starter," I thought. This naturally led me to thinking of the hundreds of dollars that I would be forgoing. About an hour later Mike at Midas calls me and also asks me about this mysterious box which is now missing that wonderful little chip. I tell him I have no idea what it is. He proceeds to tell me that he has seen some people install these boxes. I guess that chip, when removed, disables the starter from working. This is used to protect the car from being stolen. So it can be removed at night and the owner can sleep tight, not a worry on his/her mind about the safety of their 1990 Acura integra.
Immediately I run to the dumpster and oh, they had just emptied it that morning. So, the Midas guys had to remove this box and luckily they had mercy on my poor, embarrassed soul by only charging me for the diagnostic, which was $80.70.
Why, after all these years of wondering what this thing was, did I decide to remove that chip right then?
Why over all these years did I not actually find out what this thing did?
Well, after paying my dues to Midas, I now know...and "knowing is half the battle"
2 comments:
Excellently put, my friend. Maybe after this incident, you should never buy a used car again. :)
So sad! There is nothing I hate more than wasting money on worthless things. If you want some cheering up, I could tell you some even dumber mistakes I've made. I still cringe.
No one could put it better than GI Joe though. Knowing IS half the battle.
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