What's Broken?

What's Broken?

Aw, geez....would you like to make $558 an hour? I sure would. Just think of it - if you worked just one hour a day for the workweek, you'd be sitting pretty.

That's what the Sears repairman just made, based on my calculation that he was here for 10 minutes (most of it spent trying to find a way to circumvent the Sears computer and not charge me anything) and I had to pay $93 for the visit. Just for the pleasure of his company.

I feel kind of stupid.

You know, I'm pretty good at fixing things, or at least tinkering with them enough that I figure out the basics of how whatever it is works before breaking it further. I have a toolbox; which, in my opinion, is sexy for a woman. I also have a Dremel, and a Leatherman, and a MagLite. I feel great when I'm wearing coveralls and have paint or grease on them. But that's mostly for show; I basically build props for the theatre and can fix most of my son's broken toys. I like to look the part, though; you do receive a certain amount of respect from manly men who fix things on a regular basis if you have your own tools and look like you use them. It helps if you don't accidentally call the socket wrench a crescent wrench, too.

I opened up this ancient air conditioner myself, of course, and turned it on and off - I knew the motor was good, but the fan was somehow blown. Hm. Call Dad; he knows!

Dad said to call Sears, the best in the business. So online I go and schedule this appointment (for which I had to take the day off), fairly confident that I was actually going to have to replace this old thing. And it would be done properly, by an authorized HVAC technician (I knew it would be a guy, but to say that is sexist...but honestly, do you know any female HVAC technicians?)

The air conditioner is above my desk, so I pack up the computer, and move everything out of the way in anticipation of the BIG JOB. Tech-man comes in, takes off the front (just like I did) and turns it on. He concludes "it must be the fan" which boosts my ego because, of course, I already knew that.

Less than 30 seconds later I felt like an idiot.

He reaches in there and spins the fan with his fingers. That's all. Turns it back on again. Air begins to blow out; nice, cold air.

I try to laugh it off and say, "This is what you get for being a single mom; no man around to spin the fan blades for you," but really I'm sinking into the carpet after talking about my tools and my opinions on the ailment of my air conditioner.

He tries to find some way around the $93 service fee, but Sears already know's he's there and won't let him. I feel as if I should be allowed to ask him to wash my dishes...or perform some sort of service that approaches the $93 mark. Oy.

My son's dad would have figured this out, but he's not here. I could have figured it out myself, if I hadn't half-talked myself into believing the whole unit was shot and I wasn't capable of fixing it. Usually I give myself the benefit of the doubt, but this time I was short-changed, by me...to the tune of $93. Dad doesn't always know best - and maybe neither does anyone else who suggests you can't do "it" yourself, whatever "it" is. And that includes YOU - you might end up saving more than money in the end.