A friend at work had asked me if I could pick him up at the car dealership tomorrow morning. His driver side window was broken. It did not go up or down anymore. I picked him up the next morning. The car was a Kia Sportage – probably 6 or 7 years old. Everything was in good shape except for the window.

2 hours later he got a call from the dealership. The motor for the electric windows was broken. The estimated repair cost was $424.23 to replace the motor. The spare part itself would cost over $200 by itself. Now wait a minute, the car is a Kia and it is very cheap to buy as a new car. Why are spare parts so darn expensive then?

My friend was not happy at all. $400 put a big dent into his monthly budget. He has to put food for 4 on the table and make sure the rent is being paid for, but paying an extra $400 something dollars – that hurt. He had planned on taking a vacation with wife and the kids to go camping and fishing up in Wyoming and then visit Yellowstone National Park, but with gasoline prices still hovering above $2.60 and a long drive – that would not work. [Read more...]