Okay, so there I was 3 hours from home, at 3:30 a.m., freezing, in a part of a city that I am unfamiliar with, I have no transportation and no place to sleep.
So first thing I needed was a hotel room to crash, but where was I? Luckily my phone was now charged and it had GPS. I could look and see hotels nearby and there was a La Quinta Inn within a mile of where we were. The couple gave me a ride there, and on the way I booked a Greyhound Bus ticket back home at 10:30 a.m. Thank god for smart phones!
During the ride we began to discuss what we should do. I told them that I am sorry and that this is a bad situation for all of us but that I wanted to back out of the deal. They said something about me buying it “as is.” This remark made me really nervous. But somehow I remembered a law in Florida about 72 hours being a grace period to return a vehicle in case there were issues and just assumed Louisiana would most likely have something as well. So I said something to that effect. I found out later no such law exists.
Being good people and realizing that it would not be right to put this burden on me, they agreed to take back the coach and give me the check, and in turn I told them they could keep the $500 I gave to them for a deposit.
Once again I used my phone and saw that the notary we used earlier opened at 9:00. So we made a plan to meet at the hotel at 8:45, go to the notary, sign the title back to them and then they would give me back the check.
I got checked into the hotel and upon getting in the room, I had no pillows! So I went and got pillows, then noticed the room never got warm, the heat did not work :( They were very nice at the front desk and just gave me a new room, complete with pillows and heat.
I did not sleep well as I had so much on my mind racing around in there. I just prayed they would still honor the deal we made and give me back my check. I got up around 8 and took a hot shower which really energized me to get going on the day. I went down to the lobby for the free breakfast and was pleasantly surprised by waffles and eggs being on the bar. I also managed to get some free toiletries from the front desk. Things were looking up I told myself.
I sat down and some guys at a table next to me watching the news, started up a conversation with me. The subject eventually turned to why I was in New Orleans and I explained with vague details what happened the night before. The one guy offered me a ride to the bus station if needed but I told him the owners were going to give me a ride to the station. “Okay, but if you need me, let me know, I don’t mind. It is only 5 minutes away” he said. He was a really nice guy. But I did not tell them about needing to get with the owners to get my check back because I felt embarrassed about rushing into the purchase. Plus it was too much information to give to a stranger.
It was 8:30 and I was feeling anxious. 8:45 came and went so I tried to call them. No answer. I waited 5 minutes and called again. No answer this time either. Oh crap. I got that sick feeling in my stomach instantly. Then my phone rang, it was them.
“Hola Randy” She said and proceeded told me she was talking to her cousin on the other line to see if he could fix it, and if he could would I still buy the coach.
“I don’t know. Why don’t we talk about it when you get here,” I said. “Have you left yet?” I asked.
“Not yet, we are just heading out the door, and will be there in 10 minutes. But you know you did buy the coach ‘as is'” she remarked.
I didn’t respond directly, I merely said “Well let’s figure out all the options when you get here, I do really want to get that coach.” I was really nervous now about them not showing up and just leaving me.
Okay, it was 9:00 now and I went through my head with the timing. 9:00 now, they get here by 9:15 at latest, 15 minutes to notary so 9:30, 15 minutes in there so that gets me to 9:45, 15 minutes to bus station so 10:00 . . . still plenty of time. All good I thought.
So at 9:15 I began pacing the front doors of the lobby, then 9:20, 9:30! Nothing. I am really nervous, to the point of throwing up that free breakfast waffle. I try to call them. It just goes straight to voicemail. The nice guy from breakfast saw me in distress and once again offered me a ride. “No, they are coming,” I said.
I ry calling again, no answer. One more time.
“Hola Randy,” the voice on the other end answers.
Whew. “Where are you guys?” I asked nervously.
“We are on our way, 10 minutes.” She replied.
I knew I had to stay polite and nice so I could retain any hopes of getting the check back. “Okay, great. See ya in a few.” I chirped.
It was now 9:35 and I went over a timeframe in my head that got me to the bus station by 10:15. Still enough time to get my will call tickets and board. But every minute now became important. I could no longer sit in the lobby. I headed out to the curb so I could get in quicker and we could be on our way. I constantly checked my phone. 9:36. 9:37. 9:39…where are they?
In the meantime I knew I had to call Sharon as she was anticipating me to get with her already and tell her all was fine. She urged me to call Bank of America to see what we could do to stop the check. But I knew there was nothing we could do as it was a cashier’s check, as good as cash. I did call and they confirmed my fears, there was nothing I could do.
I was on the verge of a panic attack now as the time approached 10:00. If everything went quick, 5 minutes to notary 10:05, sign a few papers 10 minutes 10:15, 10 minutes to bus station 10:25, the bus may be late anyway. I could still make it.
I watched for their truck with great anxiety, just hoping they would show. If not what was I going to do!?!? The guy came out and pointed to his watch. “You need to leave now if you are going to make it, you sure you don’t need a ride.” He asked.
No sooner did I get “Nope, I trust…” out of my mouth did I see them pulling up. And I thought last night I was relieved to see the tow truck. That was nothing compared to this relief. I jumped in and noticed the time. 10:17. No chance now. :(
However I had to keep my poker face on as if nothing was wrong. I acted like it was no big deal and I could catch a later bus. When we got to the notary we sat in the truck and discussed the predicament we were in. He offered to sell it to me for half. I told him I couldn’t do anything until I had gotten a written estimate. This is where the language barrier became tough with her needing to interpret most of it for us. He continued to try and sell me on it, telling me how much he paid for it and that with parts alone it is worth it. I just couldn’t I was focused on getting the check and getting home. They were desperate to sell it and even went lower but I just could not do it. I told them I just needed time to go and research the cost of fixing it first as I did truly want to figure out a way to get into the coach.
They did tell me that they had no idea there was anything wrong with the coach and that they were going people. That they had no intention of swindling me. I whole heartedly believed them, and that is what made it all so difficult.
Dejected, they headed inside with me. I felt as low as them almost. This was awful. I just wanted to be free of this problem and be home. The notary made quick work of it and they handed back the check. I overheard him say to his wife that they had no choice because I could just cancel it anyway. I guess they were unfamiliar with a cashier’s check thank goodness. This may be a totally different story had they known it was as good as cash.
But not sure if they would have done anything differently as they seemed like really good people.
They was nothing spoken during the ride to the bus station. The only sounds were of him coughing violently from a cold that was exasperated by being out in the cold damp air the night before. He did not look well, and she looked like she hadn’t slept either. The day was not helping. It was overcast and dreary with a light cold rain with a below freezing wind chill. It was one of the most depressing atmospheres I have ever been in. I offered them a twenty for gas but they merely said “right now gas money is the least of our worries.”
I climbed out and tried to give a positive goodbye and tell them I would call the next day to let them know what I find out. As I was closing the door I overheard him say “sure, he will run away and never be heard from again.” The door closed. I felt terrible. I still remember watching them pull away. probably always will.
I had to then focus myself on getting home. I must admit once I got into the warmth of the bus station I felt much better. And so relieved to have the check in my possession and free to get back to Pensacola. All I had to do it figure out how.
I went to the counter to see when the next Greyhound to Pensacola was. She informed me it was leaving at 5:30 arriving at Pensacola at 1:20 a.m. WHAT!?! There was a layover in Mobile she told me. Well can I get a refund for the tickets I bought since I missed the bus. I was out of luck there too, as I bought non-refundable tickets, but on the bright side for $15 I could use them for future travel. I laughed to myself and walked away. I will not be getting on another Greyhound for some time.
So I sat in the warm and somewhat quiet bus station and pulled out my laptop. I found a rental car agency nearby and called them. The did have a car for one-way to Pensacola I could rent at a reasonable price, and most of all they would pick me up. I felt better now.
After getting to the rental car facility I was lifted up just to be dropped again on my head. I do not carry the credit card with me because I tend to loose things so Sharon keeps that card. They could not rent to me without a major credit card :( Dammit! Now I know for a fact some companies will still rent with a debit card and a deposit so I looked at my phone for any other rental companies nearby. I was in luck as there are several within walking distance. I knew I should have brought a warmer jacket than my wind breaker.
Now this part of town in New Orleans did not feel particularly safe, especially carrying my cash, a cashier’s check and my laptop. I just walked with a purpose with my head down and looked at no one. The next company I went to did take debit cards but they had no one-way rentals. So I moved one. The next one did not take debit cards. I had one more to check.
During the walk I checked airfare just in case and it was going to be very expensive but at the point just wanted to get home at any cost.
When I walked to the counter I was followed by a delivery guy. He had a brown bag, which I assumed was the attendant’s lunch. She politely asked me if I could wait one minute. She turned to the delivery guy and asked how much she owed.
“$12” he replied.
“I thought it was $8, can I see the receipt?” She said. ” I could have sworn they said $8 on the phone, I only have $9 on me.”
Then I got an idea. “Hold on, I think I can solve this.” I said as I interrupted. I look at her and said “You need lunch and I need a car. If I buy you lunch, will you make it so I can get a good deal on a car to Pensacola. However the problem is that I do not have a major credit card on me as I left it at home, but have my debit card.”
She looked at me for a second and then told me “I think I can do it if you can do a $500 deposit.”
“Perfect, no problem.” I said happily. I got out my wallet and paid the delivery guy and he was on his way. Much like I will be if this works out.
I stood for a while as she punched in numbers and my information, and then it happened. She handed me a set off keys and set me on my way. It was really happening, I thought! I called Sharon immediately and told her that she would never guess what I am doing, “I am in a rental car heading home to Pensacola!” She was as happy as I was to get this ordeal behind us.
It was only a few minutes out of downtown when a traffic jam brought me to a complete halt. I stayed patient. I was so happy to be in a car heading home, all was good. I decided to pass the time by telling someone else my plight and the mess I just went through so I called my friend Trish. She always loves to here the crazy things that happen to me. I dialed her number and it was ringing, she answered the phone with an uncharacteristic “Hola” and I about hung up the phone from the terrible flashbacks.
The rest of the trip was uneventful. I did try to call around the next day to get an estimate on how much it would cost to put in a new engine into the Trek but I never could get one. No one seemed to want to undergo that type of job. I did email them, but never called them back. I am still haunted by the image of them pulling away and his last words of me running away. I do wish there was something I could do for them, but there isn’t. They were good people.
The dream of another motorhome was extinguished at that point. We had spent too much already on deposit and travel expenses to be able to try again. Or so we thought… Stay tuned.