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[bkane]

So our trusty Spirit was out of commission for about a month and a half whilst our mechanic was on vacation and busy with various broken machines of his own. When we finally got it back, we realized it needed new tires. The day before my mom took it to get tires, there was an oil leak halfway down our driveway. Poor Spirit. My parents left it at

Comments

[fromthewall]

Ben, if things don't go your way, when the time is right (I'm afraid that might be the most difficult judgement call to make), publicise this as much as possible. Write letters to the Ottawa Citizen, including your pictures. (I seem to recall there being a Citizen column specifically dedicated to consumer action. People write to this guy -- possibly a lawyer? -- with their tales of them against various businesses, and the guy follows up. The negative publicity is amazing for these companies, and most issues brought to this guy's attention seem to end up resolved in the consumer's favour.) Write to the Sun, even; their readership seems to be very receptive to anything anti-big business. To CJOH, as well.

I know you probably don't really need advice, but this seems like such a horrible experience, I should cheer you on somehow: Don't take any bullshit, communicate the magnitude of your displeasure, but don't lose your temper with these lowlifes. Emotion = rash statements, cloudy logic, and you'll only end up more upset. Cold, efficient fury = you instantly command more respect, and maybe even a little fear. Be perfectly clear to these piddling lower-management types that you are going to pursue this to levels that will ruin their shit.

Best of luck! Keep us updated!!!

[bkane]

Yep, I think the letter to the Citizen was one of the first things my dad said he'd be doing. I don't actually have to deal with any of this, but your advice is sound nonetheless.

Seems to be the kind of thing my dad deals with pretty regularly at work, so I have no doubt that things will eventually work out. Walmart's a big company too and this is obviously peanuts to them, the sort they brush off over and over again. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they were quick about it too.