Imaginary Car and the Shady Dealer

Warning: Some of you may have a difficult time believing this post but trust me it's ALL pure fact as nightmare-like as it may seem.

As I am about to take my practical driving test in about two months time, my family, instructor and I thought it may be a good idea to buy a manual car in order to get as much road practice as possible in between the driving lessons.

I spend half my free time on Autotrader these days in pursuit of a prefect car. My idea of the perfect car: Nissan Micra, side airbags, air conditioning. I am not fussy about color or gadgets but I am fussy about safety and I really want a Nissan because of it's kawai shape and huge headlights that look like kitten eyes staring back at you (yes, I am cheesy unless it went unrealized).

I saw what then seemed like the perfect car. Nissan Micra, full service history, MOT, etc all in best order. After calling the dealer I found out that the car is in Swindon but I considered it a worthwhile journey.

I arrived at the place and saw no Nissan in the parking lot. After ringing the doorbell an elderly Indian woman clad in traditional attire opened the door and told me her son (the seller) is still sleeping although I came at 12 noon as he told me to. Ten minutes afterward, a tall, skinny man of about 30 came stumbling down the stairs like a drunken bear, silently cursing the buyer and asking me who I am and what I was doing there. When I politely answered him and asked him if I can see the car he looked at me as if I just killed his cat and told me: "What car?" Me:"you know, Nissan Micra, royal blue that I spoke to you about yesterday." Him:" Oh, sorry mate, I sold that yesterday at nine." Me:"And you didn't have the courtesy to call and tell me so I wouldn't have to come all the way from London for nothing?" Him: "Oh,sorry, you know I have many buyers I can't keep track of it all, etc" Me: (thinking): Well, it's about time you learn to if you want to keep you most probably illegal job."

To top off the event he ended up offering me another Nissan, in a very sorry state to make up for selling the one that I actually wanted.

Honestly, the cheek some people have is unbelievable!