State Farm is convinced that Rick was involved in a hit and run in San Francisco in July, even though he was out of town all that month and it seems they don’t even have the right license plate. Just to be sure, they stopped by Rick’s house to take photos of his car, a feat in and of itself as they intially demanded he bring it to their offices himself.
cars
State Farm Isn’t All There
By 9.11.06
Short Story: State Farm sends a letter telling Rick he was ID’d as fleeing a hit-and-run accident. They claim to have a photograph of Rick.
Giant Puddle of Oil Found Under Gulf of Mexico
By 9.6.06
In one of the largest oil finds in several decades, Chevron successfully ran a test-well in the Gulf of Mexico into a reserve with the potential for 3-15 billion barrels. The drilling opened up new possibilities for ultra-deepwater offshore drilling, but don’t expect it to affect pump price anytime soon. The first drop won’t hit markets until 2012, experts say.
BP Oil Leak Maybe Not So Bad
By 8.9.06
A 200 gallon British Petroleum oil spill discovered in Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay caused price per gallon to rise past $76 Monday and threaten the shutdown of the nation’s largest oil field. However, BP officials intimated they’re looking into ways to conduct repairs and checks without disabling the entire operation.
BP Closes Major Alaskan Oil Field
By 8.7.06
Due to a leak, British Petroleum announced an indefinite shutdown of the Prudhoe Bay field, which produces 8% of the US oil supply. Crude oil prices rocketed past $76.
Wikicars Helps You Know A Salesman’s Bullshit When You Hear It
By 8.4.06
Spotted over at our darling sister site Lifehacker, the most excellent automobile resource Wikicars.
Jiffy Lube Up For Double Reaming
By 8.1.06
Yesterday, within 58 minutes of one another, we got not one, but two stories about Jiffy Lube trashing two separate customers’ cars in different ways. Neither accusation is provable; by themselves, mere coincidences. Together, though? Too strange a dark alignment of the illest stars.
UPDATE: Talking Points’ Car Stolen
By 7.27.06
After the Central Parking System attendants left the key in the ignition, Talking Points Memo’s Joshua Micah Marshall’s car was stolen. Now the the political blogger is performing a delicate dirty dance with the garage to get them to pay for it.
The Art of The Buy: Hide Your Time Wisely
By 7.27.06
In an ideal world, the salesman is a doctor diagnosing your problems and needs and prescribing remedies. But let’s talk about the real world and the need to keep your timeline for buying a secret.
UPDATE: Drove My Chevy to the Levy But The Dealer Left Me Dry
By 7.26.06
An investigation into the Bill Heard used car dealership reveals a history of complaints over customer intimidation and harassment.
Daimler CEO Gets Bad Customer Service From Own Company
By 7.25.06
Last week, DaimlerChysler CEO Dieter Zetsche went unannounced to a German MercedesBenz dealership, only to have the receptionist have him cool his heels for 45 minutes. He eventually asked to speak to the manager and was told he was busy.
UPDATE: Sleazy Prius Deal Ends in Salesman’s Arrest Warrant
By 7.25.06
In the case of Prius sale gone wrong, Mark tells us that he met with a lawyer this weekend. The lawyer agreed to help sue Mr. Gentile, the salesman.Dan Wolf Toyota of Naperville. Yay. Lawsuits.
Drove My Chevy to the Levy But The Dealer Left Me Dry
By 7.20.06
Unlike Mark’s Prius story, there’s no confusion in this truck twister from Tennessee. Except, how did the dealership think they would get away with it?
