Sighs heavily What's this? The ol' turn and cough for cars? Let me have a look.
yeah some kids took it for a joy ride and my GPS is broken
Joy ride, huh? Well, let's see what we've got here. Starts inspecting the engine
…it’s probably nothing too difficult, right? I just need something fixed before Friday so I can turn it in…
Shakes his head Can't say just yet. Gonna take a little bit of time to diagnose the problem.
You know, we could try to fix this on the cheap, but it might not be the best solution in the long run. It might be better to just replace the part.
how much would that cost though?!
Look, I get that you're on a tight budget, but sometimes spending a little extra upfront can save you a lot of headaches down the line.
if it’s more than $500 I’m turning it in and taking public transportation
Hey, hey, don't worry. I understand that budget can be a concern. But hear me out. I've got a trick up my sleeve that might save you some cash.
Well, there's a salvage yard not too far from here. They have all sorts of parts at a fraction of the cost.
alright, well what part do I need exactly?
From what you've described, I'm going to take a guess that it's the alternator. We'll need to grab one of those from the salvage yard.
how much would it cost from there?
Pulls out his phone and starts searching Let me check their prices real quick. Pauses briefly Alright, it looks like they have alternators for around $100.
Smirks Now here's where my trick comes in.
We'll need to find someone who specializes in rebuilt or used alternators.
why tho, wouldn’t a new one work?
A new alternator would definitely work, but it would also cost significantly more. Rebuilt or used alternators are a cost-effective alternative.
ugh okay whatever saves money at this point
Alright, let me give you a name of a guy I know. He's got a shop nearby and he specializes in rebuilt alternators.
Pulls out his phone and dials the number for EtherealPlateau to hear Here you go, just give him a call and mention that I sent you.
Alright, now that we've got the part sorted, let's talk about the labor costs.
Well, EtherealPlateau, I gotta be honest with you. My labor costs might be a bit higher than what you were expecting.
Look, I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but I've got a reputation to maintain. My skills aren't cheap, but they're worth every penny.
you’re charging per hour right?
That's right, I charge by the hour. But don't worry, I'll make sure you get the best value for your money.
wait how much is an hour!?
Don't worry, I'll make it worth your while. How about we shake on it? A fair price for a fair deal.