TOO CLEVER

                          SUCKER ?

 

If I don't do it, who will? NOBODY, that's who! My four year old two door, super Camry had only 20000 miles on it but my two single lady friends didn't like sitting in the back. I was the appointed night driver as they professed cataract profusion–questionable to me. After a year of their bitching I decided, only to please them, to trade in my car for a four door. Don't tell me I was a fool, that I was the one taken for a ride. I knew it.

 

It took one trip to Toyota to find the color I wanted. My price was fair to me and I was not going to budge. As soon as the agent started for the back to get an okay from the manager I strongly said, 'Sit down. You take one step out of here and I'll be gone when you return.' He sat. We re-negotiated until I was satisfied with the trade in, inclusion of taxes and all fees. 'Make another suggestion like  a sun roof, tear up what you have. I'll be out of here.' We came to an agreement. I gave my large deposit and drove away in a new pale green Camry. Was I suckered in? To this day I don't think so.

 

The car was a charm except for a few dings here and there. Why don't you ask me if my friends appreciated the loss I took to please them? Don't bother. I'll tell you. One moved  and the other got married!

 

By its tenth year,  prodding friends hounded me to trade in for a Lexus. I didn't want a Lexus. I begged them to get off my back but they stayed there digging ever deeper. By its 14th, with no plan at all, on a warm March morning, I just took off and ended at the same Toyota dealer, to see the new colors. Before I even got inside a salesman approached me. I could see dollar marks shining in his eyes. 'Come inside. Look around.' The big pitch was going to start. We sat down and he brought me a cup of coffee and chocolate covered donut. How did he know that was my favorite kind? It did not make any points with me. I told him exactly what I like in a car and he told me I can get anything my little heart desires. UGH.  'Jack, I am NOT buying a car today so don't push me. OK. You can show me what's on the lot.' Up and down the rows of reds, blacks, dozens of tans, whites, my head shaking 'no' at every slow down. I almost scared him to death when I loudly said, 'Stop!' There sat a shiny light blue car, the color of a summer sky. The sticker price made me laugh. I got in, I got out, never tried the motor.

 

Back to the show room to talk price. And I pulled the same 'Don't go talk to the office manager stunt. 'Sit down or I'm gone.' My price did not sit well with him especially when I included all taxes, fees, check ups, road insurance, all the little hidden items that add up to big dollars. 'If I buy this car, it is a cash deal, so don't give me rental prices including interest.'

 

Jack wasn't too happy but struck a deal. He wouldn't have done it if he didn't come out okay so I felt fine with my power. Once the new style automatic keys were computerized to work, I drove home in my new light blue car and haven't been happy with driving since. Jack had told me the new car was a little smaller than my green one but it is larger and is making it more difficult for me to get into and out of my assigned condo parking space. I don't like the new gear shift, back window that I can't reach to clean, the AC system and gadgets......but I DO love the color and in a year I have only seen one other like mine. I don't even have to click my key to find it on a crowded parking lot.

 

Since this is definitely the last car I will ever buy, I guess I will eventually make friends with it but still wish I had my old car back.

 

As a single very senior woman I can't help but wonder if I had been smart or was I suckered in by a young, friendly salesman who expected to 'sock it to me?

 

Maybe.