11.17.2009

Patience Is NOT My Virtue

My parents are probably nodding their heads right now... as are my in-laws. And Matt? Well, he would normally be smirking in agreement, though after the last few days without our car, coupled with the plethora of incomprehensible conversations with the Toyota mechanics, he feels my pain.

I am well aware that I am ye of little patience. I own my irritability when things don't go as quickly as I'd like them to. Like right with my car right now. I am beyond frustrated.

We left off last Thursday with the understanding the Toyota dealership would send the "broken" fuel injector pump up to Bangalore on Friday in an effort to refurbish it, and save us the hassle and money of purchasing a new one. However, we got a call on Saturday morning letting us know that the Bangalore mechanics couldn't fix it, and the only way to move forward was to purchase a new fuel pump... to the tune of 1 Lakh (or around $2500). But wait, there's more! The tax, importing, shipping, and sea freight charges, in addition to the two month car rental fees, (as that's how long it would take to get here) would bring the entire transaction closer to the 2 Lakh range.

Are you freakin' kidding me? We only paid a smidgen more than 2 Lakh for the car! And to add a cherry to this sh** sundae, the dealership actually told me that it's too expensive, and they didn't want to order it... instead leaving me to either fend for myself, or enjoy the 4000 pound paperweight that would forever sit outside my front door.

Matt and I spent both Saturday and Sunday afternoons researching where in the world we could purchase this fuel pump. We found the exact model on eBay in Australia, though it was a two year old listing. We e-mailed four manufacturers in Singapore. We called the Toyota dealership in Sri Lanka. After hours and hours (and hours) of investigation, we confirmed that all roads to a new fuel pump lead to Japan.

Yesterday's and today's phone conversations with the Toyota mechanics were nothing more than an exercise in futility. Yesterday they told me that they were waiting for the part to return from Bangalore. Today they told me that the part never even WENT to Bangalore... rather they only sent a xerox copy of what the fuel pump looked liked. What? So they could perform "virtual tinkering?" Can you imagine what a faxed copy of a xerox of a greasy, dirty fuel pump looks like? Probably like a Rorschach inkblock test. If I wasn't so pissed, I'd find this uproariously funny.

So I sit here waiting. As patiently as I can. For the Toyota dealership to give me a concrete answer of what's wrong with my car. They switched their story again late this afternoon when they called to tell me they cleaned the fuel injectors, and muffler, and it's working just fine.... though they still want to attempt to fix the nozzle of the fuel pump. Why they didn't attempt this last Wednesday when they took the car is beyond me.

Breathe in ..... breathe out .... breathe in .... breathe out...

Nope, doesn't work. Patience is not a virtue.

15 comments:

karey m. said...

shit sundae.

you made me giggle.

plus you deserve a new car. the end.

Mom24 said...

Ugh! Unbelievable. So, so sorry.

Hope things improve SOON! (Patience is a virtue I have either.)

Is a new car out of the question?

Ramit Grover said...

I'm not pissed. I find it very very funny. Xerox copy? Hahahahaha!

Ooopz. (hides under the desk)

Christy said...

Oh my god. This is like an episode of a sitcom. Except poor you - it's not! I hope you get the car working, and soon. And not for beau-coup bucks!

Robin said...

Under the circumstances, I'd think a true show of patience would qualify you for actual sainthood. Either that or for the looney bin.

Good grief.

Unknown said...

OH girl I would be FLIPPIN out.... (you just can't do that in Norway....but I do anyway!) Good luck!

Amy Amy Bo Bamey said...

OMGosh....how frustrating! I can only imagine how bad you want to pull your hair out! Ugh...

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Car stuff makes me insane. But car stuff in India...I have no words!

anymommy said...

Yikes. This made me giggle, but only because it's not me. Patience is not my virtue either.

Donna said...

Okay, I don't know if this helps, but when our Explorer needed parts many years back, we turned to a company called Bukkehave, which was recommended by some FS friends. They were able to quote a price for the part and ship it all the way to Kazakhstan, and they were very professional. Maybe try them? I think their address is bukkehave.com. We worked with a guy named Steve. Email me if you have questions. Good luck - this really stinks!

♥ Braja said...

Ha! No way it costs that much. Only for the special foreigners :))

♥ Braja said...

Ha! No way it costs that much. Only for the special foreigners :))

June said...

Have you tried breaking and coconut. helps release the frustration!

kismet said...

Oh no, I so feel your pain. I remember when the motherboard on my laptop blew up in Kerala, and I was told I had to find a new one for it myself. It was no where near as bad as this though. Grab a glass of wine or two! Sharell :-)

Teresa said...

Having similiar problems with our washer, only our part is in Shanghai. However, after I installed the flutter valve upside down when I was putting it back together (rage and a long line of strong matriarchs convinced me that I was qualified to take it apart and fix it myself), it worked fine.

Now I can't put the top back on because the valve is in the way, but who cares. TII.

Maybe you should suggest "upside down" to the mechanic?

BTW, we could fly to Japan and pick up the part ourselves for that money. :) Girl's weekend out? I'll get out my Japanese phrasebook.

Good luck,
Teresa

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