SunKissed

The first dealer I contacted, for practice round, did not have the model I want.  I emailed to inquire about Civic DX (the most basic model), stating I have absolutely no color preference.  (It's quite frustrating that ALL dealers keep pressing me for color preference, which I perceive as just a gimmick for them to say "Oh, that color is in high demand, and I have another customer looking at it...and in actuality, I'm too cheap to pay extra for color).  ;)

Here's my exchange with their sales consultant:

Now, in your inquiry it states that you're looking for a 2009 Honda Civic Sedan  with a Automatic transmission.  It is a wonderful vehicle that will surely exceed your expectations.   Have you driven the Civic  before?  If so, when was the last time you drove it?

What are your top three color preferences?  When you visit our dealership I want to make sure that I have the right vehicle in stock with the right color combination.  Are there any accessories you are considering adding to your Civic  to further personalize your new Honda?  I would like to make sure that I have all the information for my records so we can keep your transaction time to a minimum.

Keep in mind this excerpt was 1/5 of the reply.  I replied back saying there's no color preference, nor desire to purchase any options.

This is when things get interesting:

Thanks for getting back to me, please let me know what is the best day and time that works for you to come in and test drive a Honda so we can talk about details like what model do you prefer and the color.

Slightly frustrated (all I want is just a price quote):

No -- we do not plan on visiting if we can't get a price quote ahead of time.  If you can't provide a price quote (2009 Honda Civic, no options, color whatever), we'll drop this lead.

And another email from her to beat around the bush,

I have no problem to give you a price quote ahead of time. Would be nice to know on what trim level, is it Civic DX,LX,EX,EX-L.....? Are you looking for a price quote that buys the car or you are looking for the price quote to go shop around with?

Didn't I state Honda Civic DX in my very first email?  Even if I did forget, why would it take 3 emails from me for her to ask the very basic question?  Now I know why this place was getting really low ratings.

She replied back,

We are selling cars not numbers, when you drive a car with out air conditioning system (DX model) is it worth of savings, no power door locks with auto-lock drive away future, no cruise control, no security system with remote entry...this all the futures that DX model does not have.

No air condition?!  No air condition!!  ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!  I don't expect basic models to have power door locks, cruise control, etc.  I've rolled down my own car windows before!  But air condition...!!  Do I have to purchase my own 4 wheels as extra...?  I ran to Jacqueline for some reality check...alright, it's possible for new cars not to have air condition.

I never replied back to her.  I think that's enough for practice...and even if I had wanted to purchase a car from this place, her unwillingness to be straight with me just left a bad taste.

Lesson #1.  If the sales person keeps beating around the bush, it's not a good sign.

Few days later, her manager emailed me:

Below you will find information on the Honda Civic along with a few other options.

He gave me a prie quote for what I was asking, along with price quote on 2 alternative vehicles.  It's unforunately he came to the rescue too late, as his email was very informative and professional.

[to be continued...]

Think about it.  Seriously.  A form of shopping I do not enjoy.

We thought that day would never come.

Long story short,

1.  My current Camry is 10 years old, and you do not want to know how much sh** maintenance is costing me.  The latest cry for attention is emission.  Of course, just when the car is up for smog check (in 3 months).

2.  Asked opinions from 3 mechanics (I really love the mechanics recommended by Jac).  All concluded the same thing.  It's going to cost 1K+ to fix the guess-what-mom-i'm-no-longer-tightly-sealed EGR valves.  This is freaking assuming the car won't throw any temper tantrums some [very short] time in the future!

3.  I wanted to get another used car: (1) car is a mean for me to get from point A to B (sacrilege, some of you would cry), and as long as it doesn't leave me stranded or cause me headaches, it's a good car.  (2) I'm not ready to part with Washington/Franklin/Jackson in bank account for *this*.

4.  Mom, with her conspiracy theory, argued car dealerships don't have good used cars, because if she had a fabulous car in superb condition and barely-there mileage, she would ask relatives and close friends to see if there's any interest first.  Not to mention all major maintenance happens after a car turns 3 years old.  Furthermore, given my commute is a whopping 5.2 miles one way, I should get a new car instead.

Well.  Sold.

Thus began my exciting (stuffed with sarcasm) journey of research.  Then I saw Honda Fit.  Oh the rear end (gesturing round circles).  So pretty.

Don't know what it is about hatchbacks that I find pretty...maybe it's the 'open space' feeling (shock, I can see the trunk without opening it!).  Or maybe it's because I've dreamed about Pier 1's Papasan chair for the longest time (was told that it wouldn't fit in Camry because of the circumference).

And OMG.  Everything people say about car dealers & sales people are TRUE.  It begs the question, why do these sales people keep doing this?!

Coworker Michelle suggested I only get price quotes online -- saves a lot of comparison time and avoids sales pressure tactics (good/bad cop, bait & switch, supply & demand).

I checked Yelp for dealerships with low ratings for practices, before contacting dealers with good reviews.

[to be continued....]

Learned about Kiwi Collection from a coworker the other day.  Decided to browse all the luxury hotels out there, to satisfy my fascination with bedroom furnitures and bathroom arrangements.

It's quite fascinating the angle with which the photographer chose to shoot.  Equally interesting how interior designers whipped out magic with colors (i.e., the room looks lively but not busy) and shapes (i.e., the room looks 'modern' but not empty).

Some just look SURREAL....

Like this, some place in Greece (maybe it's a background poster after all!):



I think this is from the same hotel (can't remember):



That thing on the right corner reminds me of the nightgown head piece worn by Little Red Riding Hood's grandma.

I.am.slowly.going.crazy....  Cuckoo.  Cuckoo.

And then there's this:



Yes.  Luxury resort.

Starting at the fabulous bargain rate of $475 per night.  That's right.  Four hundred and seventy-five.  A night.

Can I open up my drive way and charge a lowly rate of $200!?

"芬蘭科學家說，照他們的分析，演化論在女性身上產生積極的作用，女人越來越美了。不過，男人很不長進，幾百年都還是一樣醜。"

噗。 

真的是很不長進 （捶心肝啊）。

Apparently, having a short-term memory is a blessing.

I no longer remember what I was so upset about.  (I do remember that I *have* to write the sequel to this "Bitter Sweet" series...it's just the content eludes me).

The end. 

(T, I expect wrath.  Wrath.  Gozilla style, over this sad excuse of a blog entry).

..........

Come to think of it, it's so easy to make a typo (not to mention I don't spell check non-work related stuff and can't spell).  Imagine, "Bitter Sweat".

Let's see, recently got promoted to be a product manager.  It's challenging and demands a different mind set.  I'll need time to chew and digest...but I'll be fine.  :)

Started going back to MemChu.  Still can't go sing...can you believe it...I struggled with the descant on Sing of the Lord's Goodness?  I dunno, being an alto doesn't sound as cool as a soprano.  ;)

And finally, ladies & gentlemen, PauPau Jr. will be here in a week or two!!!  Merry Christmas to me!!!

I figured, it's been almost a year and two months and I haven't given up, it's time to get an X-Pole!  Christina said her hubby can help with the setup (Best Buy : Geek Squad :: Poletential : Pole Squad).  I'm so super excited!  Can't wait!

First thing I'm going to do?  Nail down my nemesis "inverted v".  Makes no sense I can't do this in one take (have to first go into inverted crucifix and drop my legs that way).  [Pout].

Oh, I'm going to my first very baby shower next week!  I don't know what to expect (it'll be an experience).  :)

Oh, I'm craving for chocolate soufle.

Ugh, evilness.

Let's start with some happiness.  I'll bitch some other time --> 35 to 65 miles, 8 seconds.  Neutral to grumpy, 0.5 second.

So, today, I was running late to Loren's circuit training (as usual).  As I rushed into the gym, there he was!  Mr. Eye Candy at the front desk!  He's usually there on Mondays (yoga bores me so I no longer go) and Thursdays (I sometimes go pole dancing instead).  Of the 6 months I've been with the gym, I've never seen him there on Sundays.  Brownie points I was actually wearing something decent because of church and Harrison's bday.

He's just incredibly hot.  Curly short hair.  An ear pierced.  Very clean shaven without sending the sissy vibe (if that make sense).  His look reminds me of Justin Timberlake.  The only difference being Justin Timberlake doesn't come across as bright, intellectually speaking.

And OMG.  HIS BODY.  I gotta say, I'm feeling like a meat eater (可以撲倒他嗎?  可以嗎?  可以嗎?).  He was wearing a white fitted t-shirt, and I swear I could see his "immaculate pectorals".  No, not man boobs!

The only problem is he seems too young (my intellectual estimate is somewhere high school or college).  To which my mom rolled her eyes and asked, "Did you ask if he has an older brother?"

The bigger problem, though, is I don't know his name....  :p  Haven't moved beyond the "Have a nice day" stage.  Maybe I'll know what to do after reading the book "How to Date Men".

Anyway, what I've been trying to say is, seeing him today at the gym MADE my day!  To which my mom urged me, "Tell him you are working on photography skills and ask if it's okay to take several pictures of him."  Oh that would indeed make everyday a happy day.