Q:Be.Do.

1/23/07: Post 1.017

It must have been the way we were dressed, and the fact that all three of us got out of our car and made our way over the garage attendant. It was a nice day, and Michele was looking cute – dressed for the weather – Ryder looked dapper as ever, and I had come from a meeting. We looked like the portrait of an all-American family as we piled out of our white Subaru Outback and made our way across the mucky garage.

Our registration was up, and we needed a smog test in order to re-register. I had done my research on smog checks a few years ago, and remembered that one of the ARCOs in town had the best price. I’d forgotten which one, but I figured an ARCO is an ARCO, and one would be as good as the next. The attendant was very coy with us about how much it would cost, and said he “had to run a check in their computer based on make and model of car.”

What I heard was, “You are a nice looking family who looks lost, and since you’ve already taken the baby out of the baby seat, I’m going to see how much I can take you for.” I told myself to be calm, and awaited his estimate.

“What make car?” he asked. “What model?” I had to give the guy credit, he was willing to take his scam as far as he could.

We’d picked the ARCO on Castro & Market, figuring we could walk around the old, soon to be new again, ‘hood and enjoy ourselves while the grease monkey did his magic. Apparently not all ARCOs are created equal. Or at least moral.

Grease Monkey: “$125.00″

Me: “What?”

GM: “$125.00″

Me: “What does that include?”

GM: “Smog check, and the certificate if you pass.”

Me, laughing: “No chance in hell. Honey, back in the car.”

GM: “What were you thinking you’d pay?”

Me: “A reasonable amount.”

We drove over the hill to the ARCO on Fell and Divisadero: 9 blocks away and enjoyed hot cocao at the new Peet’s a block away while they did our car in 30 minutes for $38.75. That was what I remembered the last time I did this research: great service and the best price in town.

But the stop at the Castro ARCO was good for a laugh. I’ve been meaning to go back and see how much he’d charge me to do our beater ’94 Pathfinder – especially if I showed up in a baseball hat and torn jeans…one way or the other, it’s good to know you can still get screwed in the Castro.