Car-Shopping Started

I finally got a call on Thursday morning last week. Mike, the manager said that they had finally received the needed part the previous day and it was installed. However, my battery had stalled a number of times in the shop. Should they put in a new one for me?

I asked how much my bill was already; just over $200 sounded reasonable, and a new battery would be $125, so I said, "Sure."

But I had to wait until 4 pm for the call that the car was all ready for me. They sent out a new public relations man, and he was quite friendly. (Perfect for his job).

From there I went to a car wash and cleaned and waxed the car. The next day I took time to empty most of the extra stuff that was usually in the car, right by my knees, and in the trunk - including stuff Dad used to keep in his trunk for emergencies.

I left some stuff that I'd been intending to take to recycle depots, including to special hazardous waste locations.

When I got home from my chiro appointment, I brought out my Rainbow vacuum cleaner and vacuumed the car. Now I thought I was ready to go car-shopping, but I was too exhausted!

So I started on Friday afternoon. I'd made a list of 20 car lots, and saw there were 4-5 of them right along 22nd Street, the long street heading west out of the city. They seemed like small car lots, so might have some decent used cars.

I pulled in at the first one, Village Auto, and went into the small building. A man came to meet me, and I explained that I was looking for a used car in good condition, but under $5000. I was NOT interested in any credit payment plan. He shook his head; all their cars had 5-figure prices.

I mentioned I planned to work my way all along 22nd St. this afternoon. He pointed out that the car lot across the road in the next block was also theirs, and the prices were the same there. I thanked him, and skipped that one.

3 blocks further there was another lot on the left. I turned in, saw not a soul, but there were large signs inside the windshields with prices - all in 5-figures too. I found an exit and left.

Back on 22nd, I passed the intercession where I would turn if going home, and in about 3 more blocks, there was another car lot on my right. I would be blocking the driveway if I turned in there, so I drove around the corner and parked along the curb, then walked back.

The shabby little building had a sign on the door that said, "Best Used Cars". I decided to take a closer look until a sales person came out. There were pale yellow signs with hand-written notices inside the windshields. They named the year and name of the car and a price, all in a handwritten scrawl. Some of them gave me a measure of hope. eg. 2010 Ford Escort $4,311. Mind you, some of them looked like they needed serious repairs. One small black Mazda seemed to have the front fender hanging by a single thread or wire. My spirit grew more wary.

Finally, I spotted a man in the lot, wandering around, wearing an Eastern kind of clothing, including long loose pajamas. I asked him if he worked here. He shook his head and muttered a word close to "no.."

After I'd read the signs of pretty well every car on this small lot, I met this man again (maybe he was security staff?), and asked if anyone was in that office building. He nodded.

So I went to the door, knocked. No answer. I opened door and asked, "Anyone here?" No answer. So I backed out.

I returned to the man in PJs and said, "There doesn't seem to be anyone in there." Suddenly he could walk fast, heading to the door. In seconds another man came out, who was cheerful and more talkative. He was Lloyd.

But as I explained my shopping goal, and my limitations he mostly smiled, nodded, and agreed with me. But no invitation to sit in any car and see if it fit me. Certainly not a pushy salesman. But by this time I'd got rather cold feet about any car on his lot. I told myself that it might be best to bring a man along next time, who knows a good car when he sees it.

I drove further west on 22nd, but could not find the lots that were suppose to be on Ave O South, and Ave T south.

By that time I was persuading myself that I'd seen enough for my first shopping foray. I did stop at SARCAN to drop off some of the haz-materials in the trunk. Then went home.

Saturday afternoon I attended a seminar at our church. But yesterday I spent most of the afternoon, following a tip from a church woman, to check out Marketplace on Facebook and Kijij. Again, all 5-figure prices, and most of them in the USA! I can't drive down to Texas or California to buy a car!

I also don't like the changes on Facebook. I was tempted to close my account there, but decided not to be too hasty. It would be better to think it over and pray about it first.

I have made one resolution about my car-shopping plans. I'm going to throw myself into more hearty praying for just the right miracle. I can tell stories of how God provided just about every car I've ever owned. That's about 5-6 of them! I rest assured that He can and will do it again!

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