I should have been a mechanic

Examine your car repair bills.

My driver's side headlight went out on Monday night. I went into the Nissan dealership today to have it repaired. I figured it is just a headlight $10.00 for the part and $5.00 for the labor. I figured the bill would be $15 minimum and $20.00 maximum.

Wrong!

I knew I was in trouble when dude couldn't think of the price off the top of his head. He calls up the parts department. Never a good sign.

Service technican: What's the price for a headlight for a 2000 Nissan...that's out of warranty?
Me: (In my head)...what difference does it make if my car is no longer under warranty?
Service techican: Uh huh...yeah...(scribbles a part # on a piece of paper)...alright...(hangs up phone).
Me: What's the verdict?
Service technican: $12.95 for the bulb and I'll have you down in 30 minutes...there is one car ahead of you.

I walk into the customer lounge and take a seat on the black leather couch. I read a copy of today's USA Today and a copy of today's Asbury Park Press.

In no time, the service technican walks into the lounge and says that I'm all set. I walk to the cashier's window and the woman tells me the bill is $32.13.

My mouth hit the floor as if I just swallowed an anchor.

Me: Can I see that bill for a second?
Female cashier: Sure...(hands me the bill)
Me: (Reading the bill in my head for top to bottom)...$12.95 for the bulb, $15.95 for labor, $1.50 for hazardous waste fee and $1.73 for tax. Grand Total $32.13.

I was going to raise hell over the labor charge (on installing a friggin' lightbulb) and what the hell is hazardous about disposing of a car headlight bulb but then I would be viewed as the angry black man. I relunctantly forked over $33.00 and snatched my 87 cents change and stormed out of that place. I'm muttering curse word after curse word (to myself of course) as I get in my car and drive away.

I should have asked more questions BEFORE they worked on my car. However, I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I beat the DWB (driving while black) sydrome on Monday and Tuesday night and lord only knows if my luck would have run out tonight.

I have a flawless driving record, so I wasn't worried. But I started to think. If I was was pulled over for having the headlight out tonight...the cop probably wouldn't let me off for good behavior...the cop would probably write me a $50 ticket (at least).

So, I might as well give my $$$ to the crooked Nissan dealership.