Just some chicks, talkin' scooters

Well, I went to the shop, and they're "closed for inventory" and will be open tomorrow. I called the shop, and tried the door, and was about to give up and leave, and I hear my name being called out.

It's the lone female mechanic. She invites me in so we can chat about what's going on.

I sit down, and behind her is my scooter. She admits that it hasn't been touched. I can see that, it's right behind her on the showroom floor, engine intact.

She says things have been crazy, and that the mechanic is determined that my bike is his next project. I say that's all well and good, but that I've heard that repeatedly, and it's kind of lost it's meaning.

We're in sister mode - girl talk. We acknowlege it. I like her because she's honest. She admits that they've fucked up.

I tell her that I'm frustrated because I know that the guys have been spending the month building two scooters from the ground up for their own joyriding pleasure at the rally, and to know that, and see my own scooter still unrepaired after a year isn't exactly what I'd call good service. She seems surprised that I know the score about their dicking around, but says that it pissed her off too.

She tells me some inside stuff about how the owner has created a bottleneck that has tied their hands in ordering parts and doing the needed repairs they've wanted to get to. But, she adds, this is a guy who will throw money at a problem to fix it.

So I ask her, how does she think they'll respond to my demand that I want either my money back, or a credit towards a new scooter - because thanks to Cindi's friends advice, I've checked out the consumer protection laws, and I have a right to my money back considering the scooter is still under warantee. She smiled, and said yes, that was exactly right. And that is was good that I looked into my rights, and that I should definately ask for my money back. Or even a full restoration - ground up. Total rebuild on the bike, and full bodywork and a new paint job. Something. Because they'll want to do something to make things right. They like me there. The owner likes me, he speaks highly of me. (frankly, I think he has a crush on me, but that's a whole other angle)

I asked her straight up if they had a bike on the floor that she'd recommend for a trade - she said I should take the money. This is why I like her.

So that's that. She's going to call the owner and let him know that a storm is brewing, and that I'm unhappy and will be rightfully asking for a refund. Meanwhile, I'm going to work over the manager tomorrow. Then I'll let him call the owner and tell him the same. I expect to have a positive resolution next week sometime.

Like I said, these guys aren't jerks.
They're just bad businessmen.

I also told her that I was going to store my bike with them over the winter, but the way their business was running I was afraid they'd go under before the spring, and I didn't know what would happen with my scooter if that went down. She just looked surprised and we both started laughing. She found that funny - said she wondered why I hadn't stored with them over the winter! But that it made sense, and she was glad I'd been honest about it - that it was useful information!

The ex arrives on the scene after it's all over. We're both kind of glad it worked out this way, because having a guy around would likely have tipped the scales. Not that she would have been less honest with him around, but there was something about it being just us girls... He and I go for ice cream at the Esso station instead and watch some old Family Guy and Daily Show episodes.

He drops me off at Christy and Paul's place (shout out!!). Christy and I walk to get me a personal pizza from Dominoes, and arrive back at their place to a woeful Paul, standing lost on the front stoop - ohhhh... poor Mr. NoKeys! The three of us pass a very pleasent evening on the deck bitching about my scooter situation, their fringe shows, and Tom Cruise. Good times. Christy gives me a lift home, which I rebuff at first but then later greatfully accept. I'm too relaxed to walk home.

Scooter is ready for sleep. Seeing the ex gets him so worked up, that he crashes pretty hard. You and me both, Bing Bong. You and me both!