Hurts Rent-A Vehicle

Finally, I'm getting my car back.  I don't know what was wrong with it.   I think it was the ignition or the engine or something.  Brandon took care of everything.

It's all been arranged that I can pick my car up at Frank's Garage after work.  The customer service rep at Hurts Rent-A Vehicle said I can leave my rental at the garage they will take care of everything.  I'm so excited.  I'll write more when I'm home.

Later ....

I arrived to pick up my car.  Frank was very nice, although a bit greasy.  He's letting me pay my bill a little bit at a time.

The Hurts Rent-A-Vehicle person was there, too, with his bill.  He handed it to me with a smile and asked what form of payment I wanted to use.

I glanced over the bill and it was enormous, much more than we discussed.

"When I called you Monday morning, you said it would be $10 a day.  This is three times that."

"It was $10 a day, but only if you rented your vehicle before 5 p.m. when the sale price ended and we reverted back to the regular price.  You rented your car at 5:15."

What?  I stared at him and he must have thought I was an idiot.  Was this a bait and switch?  I wanted to report him to the Better Business Bureau.

"I can't afford that.  I have a repair bill to pay plus I had to put gas in your horribly ugly car."

"If you don't pay, I'll report you to the police."

From behind the register, Frank cleared his throat and began walking away.  He probably thought I was about to cause trouble in his store.

The Hurts Rent-A Vehicle guy and I stared each other down.  But finally he won and I pulled out credit card, which was declined.  So were three other cards.

"See, I told you I couldn't afford it.  My cards are all maxed.  It's the price I pay for having a job that pays next to nothing."

Just as I could envision the cops pulling up to take me away, Frank offered to pay what I could not and I could pay him back.  I am very grateful and very broke.

Monday

I got myself up for work on Monday and felt horrible.  In case I haven't mentioned it yet, I hate my job.  I work in the city.  It's a 40 minute drive.  That's actually the best part of it.  I love the city and I don't mind the drive.  It gets me out of here.

But I hate my job.  I work customer service for a satellite-television provider.  They're called SAT TV.  Maybe you've heard of them.  They're a national company.  I'm on the phone all day long listening to unhappy people.

Anyway, I was thinking about all of this as I got into my car, put the key in the ignition, turned the key and then ---- nothing.  I tried several times but each time, nothing. 

I dropped my head down on the steering wheel and would have burst into tears if it weren't for the fact my makeup was fresh.  After several minutes of not knowing what to do, I called my boss and told her I would be late.  She told me I would have to work through my lunch to make up my time.  Fine.

I called Brandon and asked him if he would drive me.  I knew he would be the only one available.  Everyone else was on their way to work or lived too far away.  Brandon lives right here in town, but he owns his own junk business so he can come and go as he pleases.

Brandon showed up with his dog, Rocky.  Rocky is a Mastiff, larger than a house and he slobbers.  A lot.  And, of course, Brandon decided to show up in his work truck, the one that says "Fletcher Junk" on the sides and back. 

I opened the door and grudgingly got in beside Rocky.  Brandon chain smokes so my whole ride to work could be summed up by saying I rode in a cloud of smoke with dog saliva on my arm.

"Do you want me to pick you up, too," Brandon asked.

"No, I can handle it.  I'll just take a cab to the airport and rent a car."

"That's a big waste of time," he said flicking cigarette ashes on my shoes.

"No, it's fine."

"Well, then I'll take your car to mechanic for you."

Finally, we made it to work.  That must have been the longest ride of my life.  I thanked Brandon and gave him my car keys.  I would have given him a hug, I really would have, but it was bad enough I was going to smell like a combination of chimney and dog kibble all day.