It Was Only a Little Gas

In fourteen years of marriage, I think we have only been a two-car family for a grand total of three of those years. We even made it through our first year in Seattle with one vehicle. But, with Jean working, the kids needing to be taken to and picked up from school, and with me being in school and completing inspections, one vehicle wasn't cutting it. We found that out last week. Even if I didn't have inspections the bus isn't much of an option for me––as it takes about an hour to get home, and I want to maximize being home as long as I can before the kids go to bed. Jean picking me up after class is often a logistics nightmare, especially with the kids. So, all that to say, we needed a second car.

I found a car on Craig's List that seemed to fit what I needed. Low cost, yet well-maintained. I pulled the car fax on it and though it was 18 years old, it was a single-owner car with a clean history, and a mechanical history of always being routinely serviced at the dealership. So, after mountain biking with Jean Friday morning [which is TOTALLY a whole post in itself], we went over to take it for a test drive. It was clean inside and out. The guy at the used car place pulled it out for us and said told us that it was low on gas and that if we didn't feel comfortable to fill it up and just let him know.

We took it for a drive, filled it up, drove some more, and came back. It was perfect for what we needed. I told the guy that I had seen it advertised on Craig's List for $XX.XX, and wondered how low he would be able to go including tax, title, and license. He said with tax, title and license it would cost $300 more than what it was listed for. He asked what we were looking to spend. I said that we were looking to spend $300-$400 less, including tax, title, and license, than it was listed for (prior to them adding tax, title, and license)––so there was about a $600 gap between us. He called the owner, and then said that the lowest he could come down is $200. He welcomed us to stay and talk to the used car dealership owner, who would be there in 5-10 minutes if we would like. We did.

During our wait, Jean and I decided that we would increase our highest offer by $100. When the used car dealership owner arrived he asked how he could help. I told him that we were interested in buying the 1991 Toyota Camry. He said, "Buy, or Steal?" It was an intense conversation. And, less than pleasant. We left holding our ground, and being okay that we held to what our budget said we could do.

About 5 minutes into our drive home Jean said, "We filled up the car." And I said, "I totally forgot to tell him that." She responded, "It's okay. It isn't worth it to go back." Just then, the man that I had talked with originally called me. He said, "When I was parking the car I noticed you filled up the car. I talked with the owner and because you filled it up he wants to work with you. We can come down $50 from our previous price." There was basically a $250 difference between their lowest and ours. I told him that I couldn't. He asked if we could pay our price now, and he would give us 45 days to pay the remainder. I told him that is all that I could afford. That I am in graduate school and we are on a budget. That my budget 45 days from now doesn't allow for an extra $250. He said that he would continue to talk with the owner and would call me back.

Well, he called back and offered a price that was just $100 difference higher than my highest price. I told him that I would talk with my wife and call him back. I talked with Jean. I said that I was okay paying $100 more, but if she wasn't it was okay. That we just needed to be in agreement. I would be okay not getting the car.

But, she was still left with the weight of being the one to decide. She told me that she didn't like having to be the one having to make the final decision. She was right. I went into the bedroom where I thought Jean couldn't hear and said, "I just can't. I know that $100 isn't a lot of money and $100 isn't the issue. My wife and I had a set amount and I want to honor that. My relationship with her is what matters most. Again, I don't mean any disrespect to you as it is only $100. I just want to honor my wife in keeping to what she and I had decided on." The guy responded, "The owner feels really bad that you filled up the car. Come down and you can buy it for your price."

Jean had only heard my side of the conversation. She was all melty. Then, I explained to her that they offered it to us at the price she and I had set. She was floored.

So, when we went to go sign the ownership documents the used car dealer owner asked, "So why did you fill it up?" I explained that the other gentleman had said to put gas in it if I didn't feel comfortable driving it. [I didn't want to get the guy in trouble, but Jean and both heard, "Fill it up."] He said that when someone owns a car they naturally fill it up. But, when it is not theirs, they don't. So, because I filled it up he felt like he should sell it to me. I am not sure if he felt that because I filled it up it was an omen or that "I was meant to have it," but that is why he sold it to me––because I filled it with gas. I would rather think that it was because I honored Jean.