So, anyway, I went over to Crazy Andrea's place to see if Saracat's dead yet, or if they've raised maybe at least five bucks or so for her, and whoa! the fundraiser has disappeared altogether.
But I ran into this thread, by one of the DUmbest wannabe Andyscammers ever:
03-11-2012, 03:55 PM
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
I know right now I am about ready to hang it up. I am in a real Catch-22 situation. I have to have a working car because I substitute and have to drive around. There is utterly NO bus line where most of the jobs are at, so that is not an alternative and neither is car pooling. Unfortunately it appears I will have to have repairs on the car--brakes most likely, as I was told about the brake fluid leaking and there is now a grinding noise coming from the front wheel when I brake--and there is UTTERLY no money to get the problem taken care of. If I can't drive, I can't work, and if I can't work, I can't get the money to get the car fixed. It is an excellent car otherwise, a 1988 Toyota Camry with only 90k original miles.
I am just about ready to hang it all up. It has been one stinking struggle after another since April of 2008, and it is not getting better.
"Bartering" isn't an option. I have nothing to barter, and the brakes need to be fixed by a professional outfit like Les Schwab with a guarantee.
http://www.oldelmtree.com/showthread.php?tid=9377&page=6DUmbass! They're letting Saracat go to hell for lack of a thousand bucks! You think they'll send money for your 24-year-old Camry?
ima_sinnic
Posts: 2,897
Joined: Mar 2010
tonysam, any idea how much it will cost to fix? even a ball park?
I'd chip in on this.
Bingo!
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
I have no idea. The car started this grinding deal this morning although I was told months ago that my brakes needed to be overhauled or whatever. Of course I had no money to fix them and merely put brake fluid whenever I need to. That's a bandaid solution to something that probably shouldn't be allowed to fester. I could find out the price from Les Schwab tomorrow. I am trying to get hold of my nephew the mechanic just to make double sure this problem involves the brakes. I am sure it does.
I have thought of selling a few items on eBay, but I don't really know how to go about that. I have also looked at trying to find somebody who could sell a couple of items for me. This is a hell of damned note. I never thought four years ago I would end up like this, forcibly retired four years ago for all intents and purposes when I had at least another 13 years before I could actually retire. This is pure hell.
I was looking forward to getting 95 bucks in my state refund, but it was given to the IRS to help pay down the 1,000 bucks I still owe them because I didn't have the money taken out for taxes when I was drawing UI 2-3 years ago. The IRS isn't that big a deal because they are easy to work with, but it is just the idea I was counting on that money.
03-11-2012, 07:31 PM Post: #59
ima_sinnic
Posts: 2,897
Joined: Mar 2010
It takes a little work to sell on eBay, with a little learning curve -- taking the photos, writing the description, figuring how to package and how much the package weighs, then figuring the postage -- then getting it all online -- certainly not impossible, but I don't think I could just jump in and do it
03-11-2012, 08:02 PM
zalinda
Administrator
Posts: 1,745
Joined: Jul 2008
I don't know where you live but your problem seems to be that you need new brake pads, with that the rotor should also be changed. The need to put in brake fluid could be because of the pads needing to be changed, but also could be a fluid leak, which may be in the master cylinder.
Now, the good news. You do have something to barter, you can tutor. Put an ad up on Craigs List to barter tutoring for work. Have the deal down pat. Many, many people cannot afford a tutor for their children, and you could get quite a few offers, but you only need one.
Barter? Are you nuts? Barter? On a money-scamming thread?
03-11-2012, 08:25 PM
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
I don't need the bartering if I have a job to go to. I need to have a working car to get there, and I will not hire a backyard mechanic to do the work, not even my nephew, who is one of the best mechanics in the county. I want the work guaranteed.
I plan to call Les Schwab tomorrow and get a quote and I'll pass it on here. I cannot even pay for anything at this point.
No backyard mechanics! Nothing but the best for a 24-year-old Camry! Les Schwab or bust!
03-12-2012, 01:09 PM
BeeBee
Posts: 3,079
Joined: Feb 2010
If you have utterly no money, won't consider a part time tutoring job as suggested by Zalinda, AND your nephew happens to be one of the best mechanics in the county, why would you be taking it to Les Schwab and not let him have a look at it first???
After all, it's a 24 year old car, not a Lamborghini.
My husband and my son replace the brake pads on their cars all the time and they aren't mechanics. It's not brain surgery, where only the very best will do. Given your circumstances, you might do well to reconsider your position on this, tonysam.
Sometimes we do what we have to do.
03-12-2012, 03:33 PM Post: #65
waiting for hope
Administrator
Posts: 14,188
Joined: Jul 2008
My husband works on cars all the time - he has replaced many a break pad and it is not that hard - I agree with Bee Bee, car places like that are notorious for ripping you off.
03-12-2012, 03:58 PM Post: #66
ima_sinnic
Posts: 2,897
Joined: Mar 2010
Yes, it's true, I can think of many "backyard mechanics" over the years who did what I needed, including brake pads, and always without any pressure to get more work done;
I also don't understand why your nephew couldn't change your brake pads?
03-13-2012, 01:22 AM Post: #70
Saracat
Super Moderator
Posts: 4,281
Joined: Jul 2008
Tonysam, why couldn't you have your nephew replace the brake pads or whatever and then save the money and have the job redone by Les Schwab if their guarantee makes you more comfortable?
Now this money scam is getting all messed up.
03-13-2012, 05:09 PM
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
The thing is, if I wanted a backyard mechanic to do the work, I'd hire my nephew. I am not going to do that. I am not going to impose on him, or look like I am taking advantage of him.
I want any work guaranteed.
Nothing but the best for reject DUmmy tonysam.
3-13-2012, 05:14 PM
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
Tutoring is pointless if you don't have a car. I will NOT set up my "own business" when I don't even have a real place to live, so scratch that idea.
That's the bottom line.
I've done tutoring before. I am not going to do it again. It is not worth the time and the wear and tear on the car to do it a couple of hours a day for a piddling amount of money. That is just THAT much more driving around that I don't need. Plus you have to have the materials handy to do the job well; you don't sit and help kids with their homework, by the way. All of my teaching materials are in Reno.
There have been all kinds of openings for tutoring jobs, and the hours are all wrong to be able to do that and sub because of a scheduling conflict. Almost all full day sub jobs end at 3 or 4 o'clock, plus it's not a stable schedule.
Once I have the teaching license, I can make $162.50 a day substituting a full day, or something like $87 for a half day. I won't be able to do that until next year given how long it takes to get tested and for TSPC to process the licenses. A full day is roughly double what the ESD pays substitute teacher assistants, plus if you have to commute it is worth doing it. The pay is mandated by Oregon law. I have talked to people who have subbed and generally they work an average of two or three days a week if they sign up for all of the districts in the area and the ESD.
03-13-2012, 05:37 PM Post: #76
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
I am so sick of this anti-chain crap. Schwab has been around forever and is Oregon-based. My dad used that outfit, and we have gone to them for decades.
Spare me the "use your local mechanic" crap, please.
Shut your pie hole and send your money.
The drama continues. This guy is DUmber than stevenumbers!
03-13-2012, 11:07 PM Post: #82
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
Anyhow, I went in yesterday to Les Schwab, and it is a long story. The noise problem apparently is with the power steering and evidently it doesn't appear to be serious. They did check the brakes, and the rear ones do need work, although it isn't a life-or-death situation.
I left there after almost an hour-and-half and went to the post office to get my mail. When I came back, I found out I couldn't get my car started. I thought maybe the gas tank was flooded. It almost started but then it didn't. I had to call a tow truck to get it home. Fortunately, I have towing on my insurance, so it didn't cost me anything.
Tonight I went to start the car and the battery is dead. I will use the battery charger on it tomorrow. My nephew gave me his old charger with an extension cord, and I hope I can figure out how to use it. If my battery is dead, then I am as good as dead myself. I had it replaced about two years ago.
So, according to the utterly reliable Les Schwab, the DUmmy's problem is his power steering?
Little known fact: If you have a power steering problem, the engine shuts down.
Eight days later:
03-21-2012, 09:59 PM
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
Well, I went to the store tonight, and the car quit on me in a busy intersection. I was really lucky a couple of very nice guys pushed my car to a Wendy's parking lot, which is located about a half mile from where I live. I called the tow company, and the car is back in the carport.
My nephew is going to come out tomorrow with a battery tester or whatever and find out what the problem is. He thinks this problem may be with the alternator.
The noise the car was making was unrelated and has to do, according to him, with the power steering. It's not a big deal.
I'll keep everybody posted on what is going on. It's the pits that I can't work with any kind of subbing until I have a working car.
03-23-2012, 12:38 PM Post: #89
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
My nephew came back out this morning with a different battery tester, and this time everything seemed to be okay. However, after awhile he smelled something like it was overheating with the alternator and then it was making a noise. It appears this may be the problem. He is going to call around to price alternators.
Alternator, power steering, what's the difference?
03-27-2012, 08:27 PM Post: #90
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
My nephew is installing a "new" rebuilt alternator in the car as I type this. It costs $120. If any of you are interested in a contribution, which I hate to ask, my Paypal account is here:
http://snunes.blogspot.com/
The account is still good. The button is on the top left-hand side of the blog. Hopefully the problem with the car stopping/quitting on me is gone.
03-30-2012, 11:05 AM
tonysam
Posts: 1,397
Joined: May 2010
I want to thank you and the other person who so far have contributed. I need only about 50 more dollars to cover the expense.
The car runs almost like it is brand new. I can't even hear anything and wonder if the car didn't shut off because it is so quiet. It's something how the alternator controls so much of the car, kind of like how a thyroid controls the human body.
DUmmy tonysam is not what you'd call a gifted mechanic, nor a talented grifter.
Even Crazy Andrea chips in to the scam.
Andrea
Administrator
Posts: 15,726
Joined: Jun 2008
I am really glad that it's working so much better. I am going to send a part of what you need next week. I was going to send it this week, but I had car troubles of my own.
