Bearings & Brakes

I've come to a conclusion. Men, please don't ask your (pregnant, hot, tired and achy) wives to go to an auto-parts store for you when you're not sure what part you need!!!!

Let me explain... About a year ago we sent a car to Samoa for Seuao's family. This car has been great for them - it has really helped them out a lot, and I truly was grateful we had the opportunity and the means to do it. However, thinking that once the car was sent I wouldn't have to deal with it anymore was my first mistake. Now, when anything wears out, needs replacing or upkeep, guess who gets the phone call? Yup. Well, it just so happens that Seuao's auntie is leaving for Samoa this weekend and Seuao wants to send a few parts with her.

"Rach, after work and after you pick up Lily, can you stop at Auto Zone and get me some bearings and breaks for the car?"

"Honey, I really don't know what I'm asking for. Will they know EXACTLY what I mean when I ask them for bearings and breaks?"

"Yes, yes - I've already been there, and they'll know what you're talking about."

Now, I know what you're thinking - why is Wow asking the mega-overreactive wife to deal MORE with cars when she really doesn't want to? He was working until 9:00 yesterday, today and tomorrow, and really didn't have time to do it. (However, I do wonder why this couldn't have been taken care of on his day off... nevertheless...)

Lily and I trot into Auto Zone last night.

"Hi, I need bearing and breaks for a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara"

"Ok, let's start with breaks. Do you need break pads, break shoes, brake drums, brake kits, blah blah blah???"

"Ummm.... What's the cheapest thing?"

"How about brake shoes?"

"Works for me!"

"Now, you need bearings? What kind of bearings?"

"I don't know, just bearings? My husband swore you would know what that would be!"

"Well ma'am, there are a million different bearings on any given vehicle - since you asked about brakes, maybe you need a wheel bearing?"

"I guess so...."

"That'll be a zillion dollars, and we'll have to special order it for you."

"Hmmm - let me try to call my husband"

So, I pry the cell phone away from Lily (who is calling random people, so if you ever get a strange call from me, just understand it's my last resort to keep my child from destroying property that's not ours, but I digress...) and try to call my husband. Unfortunately they have changed all of his work numbers (this I knew), but he thought one certain number would still work. Nope. Lily is frantically looking for things to pull off shelves, and luckily Seuao calls me back.

"Rach, did you get the stuff?"

"Honey, I'm in Auto Zone right now, and they don't know what I'm talking about!!!"

"Just tell them you need the bearings and the brakes!"

"I did!!! There are so many different things, and I have no idea what you need!"

"Just ask them how late they're open, and I'll do it."

To the friendly parts guy, "How late are you guys open?"

"Until 11:00 p.m."

Me, shocked and a little bit grateful I live in the hood - where else would an auto parts store be open until 11:00 p.m. unless there were broken down cars in everyone's driveway that people only work on after dark with their shop lamps? Ok, so it's not quite that bad right where I live, but we do border on the ghetto, I'll admit it... "He said they're open until 11:00 p.m."

"Ok, I'll stop by there after work."

So, I think this is resolved and out of my hands... Oh no. He tells me when we're home last night, that Auto Zone knew exactly what he was talking about, and it wasn't a zillion dollars but they do have to special order it, so could I PLEASE go to Checker tomorrow to see if they have it.

"But honey, I don't know what I'm asking for!!!!"

"Rach, just ask for the bearings and the breaks!!!"

"That's what I did!!! They seriously don't understand me, or I have no idea what I really need!!!"

"Rach, just trust me, they'll know. Please do this for me?"

So, this afternoon, in an attempt to save myself from heat-stroke at 5:30 and another Lily destruction zone, I figure I'll just call Checker to see what they have. I didn't think another poor auto parts guy really needed to see my frustrated face to look up a part online! To my great surprise (NOT) the conversation was very familiar. Again, they have no idea what I'm talking about, and again anything that resembles anything that I think I'm asking for is a zillion (plus 1) dollars and has to be special ordered.

I am putting my foot down! NO MORE AUTO PARTS STORES FOR THIS GAL! I am officially done.

(Thanks for letting me vent!)