Preface: Saturday 3/2 was a chilly blustery (typical) March night in NW PA with a light dusting of snow coming down and we were returning from a hockey game in Erie, PA when our Suzuki Kizashi displayed an error code of “Service Start System” along with the radio not working. The car was driving fine so on we traveled to get home and thankfully we made it with no further problems. It was late so the next day I got the owners manual out, you know that’s the book in the glove compartment you only look at when all else fails and I being far from an auto technician or even a shade tree mechanic my first thought(s) of the problem was a blown fuse. The manual showed me the push button start system and the radio on different circuits so I was puzzled. However the manual also showed a picture of just what the car was displaying and it stated there’s a fault in the starting system and take the vehicle to an authorized Suzuki dealer so I called to Auto Express in Wattsburg, PA and made an appointment for the next day (Tue) at 2 PM. This would be a great time to consolidate some trips so that was the plan for tomorrow with an estimated time of departure of 9AM.
Tue 3/5: The trip to the Erie area was uneventful and nothing out of the ordinary. First we did some grocery shopping (Aldi) and after we bought a few items at a hardware store (Valu Home Center) and next a few things were purchased at Dollar Tree. Then off to the Suzuki dealer to hopefully get the car fixed and when arriving there the service rep informed me even though the car was under warranty there would be a $40 charge to look at it and if it was something more than a blown fuse than the charge would be waived. I agreed and in the shop our Suzuki went. We were in the waiting room anxiously waiting the outcome when the service rep appeared holding a fingernail clipper? Huh? Pointing to the clipper he stated here was the problem, your nail clipper had slipped into the car’s open cigarette lighter socket and that’s what blew the fuse. Damn, a stupid nail clipper just cost us $40 + tax and the drive to Erie. I guess you can’t win them all is what I normally would have thought and said. But wait, there’s more…..
I then told the rep what had happened just an hour before and now I’ll tell LVA even more of the story. After leaving Dollar Tree because we had some spare time a stop was made at Presque Isle Downs & Casino to try out the buffet for lunch (not impressed) and do a little gambling. My wife doesn’t gamble much so she played my free play of $25 and I was going to try just 2 $100’s with my cut-off at $50 on each. Not a big bankroll, but time was short so away we went to seek a fortune. Well I lost the first $50 rather fast, no, make that very fast. The wife however cashed out at $62 on the free play. Hmm, not bad and onward I went with my final $100 in another part of the casino.
On this $100 I was getting better play which means I was losing at a slower rate and it just wasn’t looking good. The fortune would just have to wait until another day. Meanwhile the wife sat down 2 machines away from me and put $20 in playing at .25 /play. I was at $60 and only $10 away from saying goodbye to Presque Isle Downs & Casino when I was dealt the 10 & Q of Clubs, held them and on the draw filled the K, J, & A!!!!!! Woo Hoo X $1000!
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We cashed out together at $1060 and $12.50. Damn her! We left immediately with no further play and with a very nice profit. Knowing when to leave is one of the problems I have, however I’m getting better with my affliction and a big shout-out of thanks goes to Dr. Rick for helping me.
I owe it all to a little old nail clipper that prompted this trip. It never would have happened without it slipping into the car’s cigarette lighter socket. I love that clipper and who would have thought this could happen? Certainly not me.
Here it is and no I won't be sticking it back in my car's cigarette lighter. In fact the socket from now on will have the cap on.
Moral: Sometimes it does pay to be dumb and there is hope after all.
Thanks for reading.
Tue 3/5: The trip to the Erie area was uneventful and nothing out of the ordinary. First we did some grocery shopping (Aldi) and after we bought a few items at a hardware store (Valu Home Center) and next a few things were purchased at Dollar Tree. Then off to the Suzuki dealer to hopefully get the car fixed and when arriving there the service rep informed me even though the car was under warranty there would be a $40 charge to look at it and if it was something more than a blown fuse than the charge would be waived. I agreed and in the shop our Suzuki went. We were in the waiting room anxiously waiting the outcome when the service rep appeared holding a fingernail clipper? Huh? Pointing to the clipper he stated here was the problem, your nail clipper had slipped into the car’s open cigarette lighter socket and that’s what blew the fuse. Damn, a stupid nail clipper just cost us $40 + tax and the drive to Erie. I guess you can’t win them all is what I normally would have thought and said. But wait, there’s more…..
I then told the rep what had happened just an hour before and now I’ll tell LVA even more of the story. After leaving Dollar Tree because we had some spare time a stop was made at Presque Isle Downs & Casino to try out the buffet for lunch (not impressed) and do a little gambling. My wife doesn’t gamble much so she played my free play of $25 and I was going to try just 2 $100’s with my cut-off at $50 on each. Not a big bankroll, but time was short so away we went to seek a fortune. Well I lost the first $50 rather fast, no, make that very fast. The wife however cashed out at $62 on the free play. Hmm, not bad and onward I went with my final $100 in another part of the casino.
On this $100 I was getting better play which means I was losing at a slower rate and it just wasn’t looking good. The fortune would just have to wait until another day. Meanwhile the wife sat down 2 machines away from me and put $20 in playing at .25 /play. I was at $60 and only $10 away from saying goodbye to Presque Isle Downs & Casino when I was dealt the 10 & Q of Clubs, held them and on the draw filled the K, J, & A!!!!!! Woo Hoo X $1000!
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*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
We cashed out together at $1060 and $12.50. Damn her! We left immediately with no further play and with a very nice profit. Knowing when to leave is one of the problems I have, however I’m getting better with my affliction and a big shout-out of thanks goes to Dr. Rick for helping me.
I owe it all to a little old nail clipper that prompted this trip. It never would have happened without it slipping into the car’s cigarette lighter socket. I love that clipper and who would have thought this could happen? Certainly not me.
Here it is and no I won't be sticking it back in my car's cigarette lighter. In fact the socket from now on will have the cap on.
Moral: Sometimes it does pay to be dumb and there is hope after all.
Thanks for reading.
