Frankenscooter

I'm not exactly losing all hope of ever taking posession of my new scooter, but I'm definately losing faith that I'll get it before the season is over.

I stopped in last night to see how things were progressing, curious to hear what the new "excuse du jour" might be. I see the scooter in the store, side panels removed. The mechanics come out and tell me they're actually in the process (pad in hand) of putting together a parts list of everything they'll need to rebuild the engine.

Hold on, what? I ask what happened to my "brand new engine".

Turns out, since it's not a Vespa engine, it's not necessarily going to fit into the frame nice and easy like they thought. As a matter of fact, despite being advertised as "needing no extra parts", they'd need to order a frame, and unhook all kinds of gizmos, and frankenstein the thing back together. Not necessarily a good idea, and something they'd never done before. Ok, I don't like being a guinea pig, and rebuilding the Vespa engine means finding parts and getting repairs done will be much easier, and it also means that I'll get to keep the electric starter (something I'd lose in the Frankenscooter, which didn't thrill me). Plus, isn't it always nicer to keep something as true to the original as possible? I think so. I'm actually more comfortable with the idea of a Vespa engine, frankly I think it'll keep the value of the scooter up.

I look for the silver lining. Hey, they've actually touched my scooter. They've looked at it, so technically they really are working on it. Things are looking up!

So they have to order parts. Supposedly the order was placed last night (doubtful) or this morning (hopefully, although I still have doubts). The parts will arrive, they'll check them to make sure they have what they need/ordered, and then they'll get to work on my scooter. The engine rebuild won't take too long once the parts arrive. I wearily accept the lie, and rub the belly of one of the mechanic's dog.

The owner scurries away while I talk to the mechanics. I don't think he's thrilled that he has to order and pay for parts. Tough balls.

While he's futzing in the basement, the mechanics ask why I chose the particular frame that I did, and I tell them that it looked ok at the time. They suggest that there are better frames, with better suspension and tires that I should consider. I tell the to just pick whichever one they think is best, and I'll take it instead.

This whole thing is exhausting. My friends still think I'm nuts for holding out for the scooter. I can't help but think, though, that I have a better chance of getting the scooter than I do of getting my money back.

Which ain't saying much.