annie complimented "I cannot BELIEVE how calm and collected you sound..."

I don't get mad, I get even ;-) I also am the undisputed queen of escalation, I'll go over anyone's head, anyone.

We'll see what happens but I've reported this to CSAA, State of CA Consumer Affairs, Dept of Corporartions and BBB. Any other ideas?

Then I cc'd the letter to all of them TO the mechanic..called them and said who I've reported it to, what I want and that they have until my first coffee break on Monday to offer a refund or my next call is to my lawyer.

> ..... about the whole car ordeal! I would be livid and raging and furious, etc, etc, etc. Not that it would do me any good. I recently had a similar experience with a car mechanic, was promised things done that were not, was told the car could be repaired at a reasonable cost - wasn't! It was a mess, but yours sounds worse. I actually did rant and rave a bit, just to let off steam. Didn't do much good. Ended up getting rid of the car and getting a new (used) one and am still in fight with mechanic about charges I feel I do not need to pay!! SO ......... I wish you the best of luck!

Thanks, aren't cars a hoot? You never have that kind of trouble with a bike, I'm convinced that cars relate somehow to a lot of the anger/stress around us.

> I hope it turns out well for you. I, too, wish I had warm weather all year round and could just bike most places I need to go. But when it's 0 degrees, and below, I am a wimp. I don't ride, I drive. Actually, I drive if it's below 20 degrees. And it has been. :-(

Well, you probably have less traffic than we do 8-)

> Count your blessing, too, Trek, as you told Smurf........ at least you HAVE a mother to wish you were with. Mine passed away two and a half weeks ago. It has NOT been the best holiday season, to say the least. It has been so difficult. If it were up to me, I'd have bypassed the entire holiday thing this year, but life goes on, family expectations need to met, at least to some degree.

I'm sorry to hear that, I can only imagine, I lost my Dad in April and I was looking to help my Mom this weekend who has just moved from the farm they had for 60 years to a smaller cuuuuute place in Sonoma just off the square.

This is the first holiday season for us without my Dad. Please cut yourself some slack, I'm sure the family will not fault you if this season's a little different, so many memories I'm sure, such a lot to feel.

> Plus I do realize that there are so many people out there in worse states than me. I don't have a mother anymore, but I have a husband, and children and siblings and friends. And I have a bike(s) and ride whenever I can, even if it's only for a short time because it helps. It helps so much.

It really does! So does this board, thanks again everyone for all the support through the years.

> Okay, now guess I've unloaded. I hope no one minds......... I haven't been very active on the boards lately. Too much going on with Mom. But I'm back now. Been reading the posts, just not posting. Happy Holidays to all. Happy Biking!

Happy biking, Annie!