So this is why you get mobile service

[Alfadog]

OK, so my right fender mirror came with some ugly rot mould stuff on it. Looked like crap, and affected visibility too. I always kinda just put it on the backburner as I couldn't be arsed doing it. But two days ago, I decided that I'd get it replaced.

So I rang up the "Mirrors 4 Cars" bloke that drives his van around the coast replacing car mirrors. He happened to be in Perth on holiday and would get back in 2 weeks time. Bugger that, and it was $50 per mirror too (though he said he'd do it for $70 cos I had to wait). So I looked and no one else specialised in it, but I heard that any old mirror shop can cut you a piece. So I rang a random glass place and they said come on down for a quote. It is a 30 minute drive down to where this place is, but I looked at all the rest of them and they all seemed to centre around this place.

So I come in, and there's one bloke there - nice guy - who said he could fix me up. Give me a couple of days, he says... So I come in on Friday at 1:30 and ask how he's doing. Oh, couldn't get the old mirror out. Tried to smash it but it didn't smash! He said he has never seen mirror like this before... Jappa stuff, quality shizz I said, well words to that effect. He ignored me. So next either I had to smash the glass myself (he didn't want to be liable for damages) or he'd just stick a new bit of glass on top. Only 3mm, so why not! "When'll that be ready?" I asked. Monday afternoon... no can do!! I wanted to get it done for the weekend as there's a big cruise happening. He agreed to get it ready by 3pm for me. Excellent.

30 minute drive home, potter around for a bit, then 30 minute drive back. HEY, they'd done it. Great. OK, maybe not so great. The mirror wasn't exactly cut nicely, like, 5mm out in some areas. "Hold these upright for a while as the glue is drying"... ok, have you ever tried to drive home holding two fender mirrors so the glass is facing upwards? Not easy! I put one in my centre console and another wedged between the passenger seat and the floor. Should be good!

I arrive home thinking bugger this, it looks so $^!# I might as well keep the old glass on the LHS. I only wanted htem both replaced because I wanted them to look the same. The RHS one was marginally better cut so it was on. The cement stuff was still wet so I could pull the mirror off easily enough. Now to get the cement GOO off. Goo? GOO?? Mention that word, and I will instantly pull out a small bottle of the famous BIG KEV'S GOO REMOVER. Dad said it wouldn't work. I knew otherwise! Nothing beats Big Kev. It worked a treat. Awesome!

Oh by the way, in the middle of this dad tells me a bloke rang to let me know he found my wallet on the road. Crap, I must have left it on my roof when I was finding spots to wedge my mirrors in the car. Gagh, I'll deal with it later! After I removed the LHS glass, I pondered... I think the glass is convex. Took little brother outside to check visibility of the RHS. OK, you can't see anything! Bugger... Anyway, I'll leave it like it is for now. If it turns out to be a big problem I'll get Mr. $70 man to fix it in a couple of weeks.

So then I had to ring this fella, who told me where he was (about 100m away from the glass shop). OK, another drive. Had to get petrol on the way. Arrive and had to drive over a dirt road for a good kilometre before I find the place - PRO TIPS. Excellent - the guys in there were champions, if you've ever lost your wallet you'll know how it feels to be without all your cards. Ugh, almost priceless. So I gave the guy $50 to say thanks. You should always reward people who do the right thing. It's people like this who make the world go round.

So now I'm back home, with a dirty car, less money and a RHS mirror that isn't really that effective. But that's ok, the bloke only charged $10 for it! So I got a bargain right? I mean compared to the wanker who wanted $70 to come around and do it. I can drive myself twat! Don't need your service, all you're gunna do is bump up the price to compensate. Hmm...

$10 for mirrors

$50 for lost wallet

~$30 petrol

=$90

Plus all of that wasted time, plus my wheels are now muddy and need a scrub, plus I'll probably end up having the mirror redone anyway as it probably wont work effectively and besides, I'm a perfectionist little bastard.

Sigh. I need a drink.

[Mr Camouflage]

$10 for mirrors

$50 for lost wallet

$30 petrol

+Plus the time it took to drive there and back twice, and then the drive to get the wallet.

Cost you $20 more than the guy that would come out and do it....

...learning one of lifes valuable lessons,

Priceless .

[=Enigma=]

Thanks for the math lesson camouflage!