Real Deal REInvestor Network

I’ve just learned (again) how saving money can cost you Big Time!  Have you ever said, “They charge way too much for that, I can do it myself so much cheaper”?  Well I have, and so a story for all to learn.  The John Deere Dealer wanted $160 for the annual tune up for my lawn tractor.  I thought, “Crazy expensive, I can do that way cheaper”.  I went to the store and bought the oil, filters, etc. and it was $45.  I couldn’t get it started so I went to another store and bought jumper cables, $10.  I had to run again to an auto supply store to get two tools that I didn’t have, $18.  So we’re just getting started and I’ve spent $73.

I started the process and took off a wrong part.  It happened to be the starter which was in perfectly good condition until I broke it trying to put it back on.  Another trip to the John Deere Dealer (one 20 miles away from my house since it’s now Saturday afternoon and they are the only one’s open), $135.  Put everything back together and it still doesn’t work.  I started the project on Thursday, spent $208, four trips to the store, six hours, and it still doesn’t work.

Now I’ll have to call the John Deere Dealer on Monday and have them pick it up.  It will cost at least $130 for pick up and one hour of service (could be much more with parts).  The dealer is backed up about three weeks, so I will have to have my lawn mowed three times at $65 per time.  That’s another $325 for a total of $533 and at least eight hours before I’m done.  I may not be good at math, but I do know spending $533 to save $160 doesn’t make sense.

So the next time you think about doing it yourself and saving money, you might want to think again.