Buyer beware, we have all seen the warnings, but something inside of us
tells us it will never happen to me. Years ago after a flood in Las Vegas, many
cars were flood damaged, totaled by the insurance companies, and sold at
auctions with salvage titles. They had been cleaned up after and prior to the
sale, but many tell tale marks were evident, if you knew where to look. Pull up
the trunk mat, pull back a door panel, and look for water marks or where mud had
been. In many cars you could see where the water line was when this was done.
Yet too many looking for the right deal, usually the greedy ones or those who
could least afford it were the purchasers. With those of us at the service
department the bearer of bad news. Some sold so quickly the DMV didn’t have the
salvage listed in their data base, but the manufacturer did. One such man came
in with complaints about a new S600 he had just purchased via the internet. A
brand new car for almost half of the $150,000 it listed for new, he had some
electrical issues, was told it had a new car warranty, just take it to the
Mercedes Benz dealer and they will fix it for free. Which we would have been
happy to do...except...
It was a flood car, showed right on the VMI, the manufacturer records.
SALVAGE-NO FACTORY WARRANTY. And he went into melt down. He was going to sue
Mercedes Benz, he had been robbed and we all were going to pay. As he had the
car towed out of the service department. He couldn’t even buy an extended
aftermarket warranty, they had it listed as a salvage car also. And is often
the case, all the king’s horse and all the king’s men, along with all the king’s
money couldn’t put the car right again. So beware, if it sounds too good it
just might be. But on the other hand...
We would occasionally get a car towed in that wouldn’t start, maybe a crash
or flood. When told it had no warranty, the owner said he knew, what would it
take to fix it? Not wanting anything to do with it, we finally put a $2000
estimate fee, that may not include needed repairs, and many jumped at it. We
made money, we were able to fix most cars, and the owner knew what he had
purchased and was happy with the repairs, which were also not covered by
warranty. I guess it takes both types, but is it worth the hassle? Such a deal
sometimes isn’t, or it can be, but why take the risk? I can see the cars from
Hurricane Michael being lined up and sold on eBay right now. And the greedy
buyers just waiting....
At one point after so many disgruntled and taken owners, we agreed that we
not only fix cars, but we had to fix the owners too. In an age of where it is
always someone else’s fault, it takes tact and integrity to tell them the truth
and have them believe it. Seems that when it is for our own good, we rebel, but
when it is for another’s we excel, or at least accelerate. Once I needed advice
on a matter, and sought out the elders of the church as scripture tells us to
do. Seven men, seven opinions, some competing with each other. Confused and a
bit deluded, I asked God what to do, and found the answer was I was at fault,
and needed to change, not the one I sought advice against. After I decided to
call off the law suit, God asked me “where else can you get free advice that
works?” A lesson I learned early in my Christian life, and trust via the spirit
today. Seems we forget the spirit reveals the mysteries of Jesus to us, without
his guidance Bible reading loses much effect, and is open to our own biased
interpretation. Like the flood car, we are at the manufacturer’s mercy, only in
Christ will we find the mercy we need. In an era where everyone screams about
their rights, we can turn to Jesus who gave up his rights so we can be saved.
It is when we face the responsibilities and deal with them we see the truth we
seek and can deal with it. The truth, not an opinion. Yet many seek out
advice, shopping their problem until they get an answer they like, then blaming
the opinion giver when it fails. We fail to acknowledge God when we do take his
advice, as if it is expected he will just stop running the universe and bail us
out. He gave us stupid for a reason, and a reason for it to hurt. If only we
had sought his advice before.....we might not have to ask for forgiveness
later. Last night someone asked if they could do anything for me, and I told
them “don’t ever do anything to me that I have to forgive you for.” I hope they
got it.
When seeking God or being involved in a deal, personal or business, I seek
God first. I have operated that a good deal benefits both parties, and find God
gives me more than I can expect when I trust him. He sees under the carpets and
where the damage may be, or can occur. When he created us and we fell into sin,
he knew he could, but didn’t have to enter a recall for our souls, but he did.
Jesus Christ today is the largest and longest ongoing recall in history, and we
are all part of it. We once had a title marked salvage, now we have our name in
the book of life. Which doesn’t exempt us from problems, but gives us an
advocate when we do fail. Trouble with faith lately, scripture tells us in this
life we will have tribulations. Having problems, you are on strong scriptural
ground. Either we stand on Jesus the rock, or find out all else is shifting
sand. Or from a flood.
And just a note of advice for you warranty owners. Buy a car with a 48
month, 50,000 mile warranty. At 50,000.1 it’s out. Over the mileage. But what
date does it expire? Here is where to pay attention. Bought on June 1, 2018,
it expires at midnight, May 31, 2022. 48 months, not 48 plus one day. Of
course you all knew that....remember the lesson learned from when the twentieth
century ended and the new millenium began? Bought on the internet, you can
always right click and have it fixed. My car may be out of warranty, my God
still honors my sin, and forgives it. Loves the sinner, hates the sin. Only by
his spirit will you know. Don’t let the burdens of opinions weight you down,
Jesus Christ is a fact, not an opinion. And that is the truth.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com