My favorite car is 24 years old - Toyota Previa 1993, last year to door actuator did not work, told would cost $2200, a very close friend of ours. I know for a fact that the parts costs only $800, told my friend will be back will check with the wife, went to another manager friend at Big O - gave him cash of $800 and charge for $200 labor.

My manager friend moved to another company Firestone located in Deer Spring, Aliante area, he saved me a ton of money.

I went to Big O in Rainbow/215, went back and forth for about week - was told that my differential is gone - estimate to regrind at Dan's Motor works would take t least 11 days -would cost $900. I went back with my print out of four supplier for the back end gear assembly.

After 3 days no calls I went back - told that if they will work for 11 days they will lost $1,000 a day for the bay.

I traveled 20 miles to a Firestone Tire, with a heavy heart - costly repair. I look for my friend who saved me with the window actuator, gave the key then a very young mechanic raised the car in one of the bays - in a few minutes Daniel is his name came to us - told his manager to get the part a - "will do it he said in less than an hour, can you wait". The part in a box of the size of two packs of playing car.

He work in the car - I was watching from a distance - "does this guy know what he is doing". He was done right on time, the problem was only the round gasket in the joint $350 total. My wife gave him $200 tip - she was happy as a lamb - she loves this car - better than the Lexus and Volks in our garage.

We got lucky - I got the old part hanged in my garage a reminder not to get overcharged.

When they fix my windows - I complained and was told "sir this car is very old what do you expect" - wowwww, I got hurt of what he said.

I fully understand how Steve is feeling with his old timer repairing shop - time to change I guess.