mr. tire - really?!?

Dear Mr Tire of Arlington,
Let me explain and I will use small words so you can understand.
Yes, I am a woman.
Yes, I am blonde.
Yes, I look small and demure.

AND yes, you misjudged me!
Because while I am a woman, and blonde, and small - NO, I am not stupid!! (or demure either, but that isn't the point here)

When I brought my car into you to be inspected the man working inside winked at me and said 'hey baby' - this is a bad start to good customer relations - no one is flattered by someone leering at them when they are trying to conduct business, save it for the bar where I can easily avoid you. Next, I am at the counter and the man begins taking my work order. Now, Mr. Tire of Arlington, this should have been a clue not to try and hoodwink me, when I am telling the man everything I need done - car inspection, brake lights fixed, the type of oil I want put in my car, the tire pressure needs to be checked (and what the tire pressure should be), how many miles are on my car etc...then obviously I know something about what is going on with my car. Did you pick up on this?

No.

Then Mr. Tire of Arlington, you try and sell me 'high test oil' of the wrong grade because my car 'has so many miles on it and this way you can go 5,000 miles before your next oil change instead of 3,000'. Hmmm, let me think - No. Because I already know that going 6,000 miles before an oil change is perfectly fine for the Millennium Falcon (my nickname for my car because she is a 'come on baby, hold together' sort of machine) ... but thanks for the 'concern' Mr. Tire of Arlington. (sarcasm? Who me?!? - YEP!)

They quote me $54.00 - fair enough. I sign.

They call at 2:00pm.

"Hello, Ms. ______?"
"Yes."
"I wanted to let you know about your car."
(JAWS music begins playing in my mind)
"Okay."
"Well, we needed to replace the brake lights in order for it to pass inspection." (Da Na)
"Yes, I know, that is why I asked you to do that already." I reply.
"And, your serpentine belt has cracks in it and while the belt passed it isn't really safe this way, you should consider replacing it." (Da Na, Da Na)
"Oh, really?" I say, sounding very serious and concerned.
"Yes."
"Tell me," I ask sweetly, "How long are those supposed to last?" (Da Na, Da Na, Da Na)
"Oh, only 50-60 thousand miles or between 3-4 years."
"I see, then it should be fine, because you just replaced it for me - last year! So unless you didn't replace it properly or used old parts, it should be fine." (Snap, Chomp, Chomp)
"Oh...Uh...Well, ummm - there are a few other things."

(to myself thinking - Yeah, I just bet there are!!)

Side note Mr. Tire of Arlington - if I tell you I was just in last year, and you are interested in trying to pull a fast one on me, at least have the brains to pull up the service record from last time so you do not recommend work that you have already done!!!

"Well, uh Ms. ______ the brake pads also passed but they are very thin and you really should get them done also."
"Uh-huh." (I am actually thinking, no way in hell are you guys doing them for me)
"But, and here is the bad news." (Yeah - whatever guy!)
"The two back rotors have too much rust on them to pass inspection. They are $129.00 a piece."

(to myself - Are you f*cking kidding me, you lame a** idiots!)
"What?!" I am incredulous by now.
"There is too much rust on them."
"I have had them sanded before, can you just do that since the rotor thickness is the crucial factor."
"No ma'am. We don't do that."
"I see."
"So, should we go ahead and get started on the rotors?"
"No! Put the tires back on, reject it and I will take it somewhere else!" (Seriously guy! You have already lied to me, why would I let you touch my car!)

This should have been the end of it...but no...
When I went - seething - to pick up my car, instead of just letting me pay (turned into $100 - because they charged me $42 for 2 light bulbs!!! honestly!! Arlington Motor Car - who are reputable, wonderful, but sadly moved out of Arlington charged me only $12) they decided it was important that they defend themselves as to why they were attempting to rook me.

Big mistake.

They brought out the inspector to explain to me what a rotor was and how it functioned...
... long pause ... ( raised eyebrow )
And, I hear the mechanics yelling to the inspector as he walks through the door from the garage, "What does she know about it, just show her an old rotor from in the back ..."
... long pause ... ( I am boiling )
The inspector saunters up to the counter with a brand new rotor.
"This is a rotor..."

"Yes" I glared, "I know what a rotor is, I know what brake pads are. I know that the rotor passes or fails based on using calipers to measure the thickness of the rotor, I know that if the brake pads pass then the rotors should pass because while they are two separate parts, wear on one will effect the other. I know that rust isn't going to build up on the rotor if the brake pads are connecting with it, and if the brake pads weren't connecting with the rotor then they shouldn't have passed either."

He stammers...
"Just give me my car."

"Well, uh... we are just doing what the State Police tell us to do. We are concerned for your safety, everything else can go on a car, but the brakes are important."

"Thank you so much for your concern." I am surprised he did not melt with fiery hatred that was in my eyes for him.
"Uh... I will go get your car."
"Lovely." I said flatly.

So ... Mr. Tire of Arlington the level of customer service and respect you have for your patrons, which apparently you are unaware that you need to have and keep - or guess what, you go out of business. Sinks below pathetic into the realm of completely asinine. You don't just lose one customer Mr. Tire of Arlington when you do things like this, you lose everyone they tell about your ridiculous shenanigans!!

Update a few days later:
Funny Mr. Tire of Arlington - Arlington Motor Car didn't find anything wrong with my car and the belt you wanted to replace was 'in perfect condition' and they did the state inspection for Free!!! So big raspberries to you Mr. Tire for trying to take advantage of people!!!!