How Much?

This is from the Friday before last:

Every Sunday for the past month I have had to go out and put air in the left rear tire of the MSV. I put 30psi in and a week later it is down to 15. Never really have had a chance to get it taken care of, but as we had the afternoon off today I figured it be as good a time as any. We came home and picked up the car and headed down by the mall. There is a Goodyear store right next to a Chinese Buffet that would be perfect to go eat lunch at and wait for them to fix the tire.

The perky girl behind the counter took down my information and the car’s information and said that it would be $27.71. To which I said, “I just want a flat fixed, not a new tire. Why so much?” “Well,” she says, “We have to patch it, then rebalance it and then there is the new valve stem.” “Valve stem? Huh? That is way too much, the last time I had a flat fixed elsewhere it was $15,” I tell her. She sighs and says, “Don’t worry, I’ll see what I can do to cut you a break.” She points at a stack of 2-liter Pepsi bottles and says, “Take one. It’s free because of a promotion.” No thanks,” I reply, “Dr. Pepper’s my drink.” Donna and I leave to get lunch.

When we are done eating we walk back over to the Goodyear place and the car is in a different spot, so we figure it is done. When we enter the store the perky clerk says, “It’s ready. That’ll be $18.41.” I write her a check and as I head to the door I turn to her and say, “I think I will take one of those Pepsi 2-litters. I can sell it on eBay and recoup some of my costs.” She wishes us a good weekend.

Do they tell you that it is $27 so you will feel good about paying $18 for a $15 job? My favorite bit from the invoice is: “Shop Supplies*…$1.19.” The asterisk leads to the bottom of the page and an explanation, “*Shop supply fees cover misc materials used in servicing your vehicle that do not appear elsewhere on this invoice and for profit.” What you aren’t making enough profit charging $25 and change to fix a flat!?!