Hunting for Mini Parts in a Junkyard: An Unexpected Adventure

 I never considered myself much of a mechanic, aside from the basics-changing a flat tire or installing a sound system like I did back in the day on my 1978 Super Bettle in the Philippines (but that's another story). However, when my Mini Cooper started leaking coolant, I was suddenly faced with he choice of paying the dealership over $1k for repairs or figuring out a way to do it myself. The leak was discovered during a routine oil change when the dealer did an inspection and handed me the dreaded repair estimate. Knowing the dealerships charge a premium, I started wondering if this was something I could tackle on my own. When I mentioned it to my friend Owen, he confidently said, "Bro, you can do it. That's an easy fix, and paying that much is crazy". I agreed-so did my wallet.

The entrance to the junkyard

Determined to save as much as possible, I decided to go even further and hunt for the needed parts in a junkyard. Buying used parts from a salvage yard sounded like a great way to cut costs while also adding a bit of adventure to the process. I asked my son Adi, who's into cars, to tag along. Unfortunately, we learned that there was an age restriction for entry, and he didn't meet it. That meant I had to return the next day solo, ready to navigate the maze wrecked cars in search of Mini Cooper gold parts.

A wrecked Mini Cooper Countryman 

Upon arrival, I paid the $5 entry fee and received a list of available cars. That's when I hit my first roadblock-the most recent Mini they had was from 2013, and my car required a newer part. Still, I decided to make the most of my visit, wandering through row of cars, peeking inside wrecked interiors, and marveling at the variety of vehicles that ended up here. There was something oddly fascinating about it all. yet a bit sad too. Many of these cars had been in accidents, their stories ending abruptly. Some even had personal belongings and documents left behind, a reminder that each one had a past before landing in this metal graveyard.

   

   
A Nissan 300ZX in a sad state

Despite not finding the part I needed, the experience was worthwhile. I t was my first real foray into junkyard scavenging, and while it didn't yield the results I had hoped for, I walked away with a newfound appreciation for the process. It was eye-opening to see firsthand how many usable parts are still out there for the taking -if you're willing to loo. Plus, the was something satisfying about the idea of fixing my car with my own hands rather than throwing a pile of cash at a dealership.

 

A butchered Mini Cooper Hardtop

Now, with the junkyard search proving unsuccessful, I've move on to the next phase: hunting for the part online. While the adventure didn't go as planned, it sparkled something in me/ Who knows? Maybe this won't be my last dive into DIY car repair. For now, though, it's time to fire up my browser and see if the internet can succeed where the junkyard couldn't. 

An 80's Toyota Corolla GT-S

Travel Insurance. Worth it?

Travel insurance is often an overlooked aspect of a trip, but when something goes wrong, it can be a lifesaver. On a recent trip to Japan, my luggage was damaged at the airport. After retrieving it from baggage claim, I noticed a 2-3 inch crack in the shell of my Rimowa suitcase. The damage was significant, but fortunately, we were still at the airport, so I immediately went to the JAL counter to report the issue. However, instead of offering compensation, they advised me to file a claim through my travel insurance and gave me a PIR (Property Irregularity Report). While it was a relief that I had travel insurance, this situation was anything but easy to manage while we were on our early leg of our vacation.

Sapporo gave us a beating with the snow

Dealing with the damage during our trip was frustrating. We had to continue using the damaged luggage, which only made things worse as the crack slowly worsened with each use. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck with a broken suitcase during the last days of our trip. Fortunately, Rimowa had a few locations around Tokyo, and we were able to visit one of their stores. I explained the situation, and the staff agreed to take a look at it, but they couldn’t guarantee a fix or provide an estimated timeline. To make matters more complicated, we were scheduled to leave for San Diego in just two days. Faced with limited time and options, I had to make a tough decision.

  

The damage/crack on our luggage

After discussing it with Anna, we decided to buy a replacement suitcase rather than risk the broken one failing during our travels. The hope was that we could get reimbursed for the damaged luggage later through the insurance claim process. It was a difficult decision to make, especially with the uncertainty of whether the insurance would cover the full cost, but it was the most practical solution given our tight travel schedule. Now, in addition to our original luggage, we had a new suitcase in our growing luggage family, but we still had to deal with the original damaged one.

Pre-LVMH Rimowa's at Don Quixote

The rest of the trip was tense, as we kept our fingers crossed that the damaged Rimowa would make it back to San Diego in one piece. To ensure it survived the flight, I reinforced it with stickers to prevent the crack from spreading further. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t help but worry about the suitcase splitting into two during the journey. Fortunately, the luggage held up, and it was still in one piece when we retrieved it at the airport in San Diego. However, the real ordeal was just beginning as I had to navigate the complicated claims process to get reimbursement.

Quick fix with a Trek sticker

Although I started filing the claim while we were still in Japan, I quickly realized how tedious and time-consuming the process would be. I needed to gather all the required documents and evidence to support my case, including the PIR, receipts, photos of the damage, and proof of purchase for the replacement luggage. It became an arduous task, as I had to ensure I met all the insurer’s requirements. But despite the frustration, I was thankful that I had travel insurance to fall back on. While it didn’t ease the stress of dealing with damaged luggage in the middle of a trip, it provided some peace of mind knowing that, hopefully, I would be reimbursed for the expenses once the process was complete.

Men in brown

Patients, family members and sometimes the friends too, are the worst customers. Emotions are always high and keeping your cool with a smile on your face is a big talent for most hospital staff. I’ve had my fair share of incidents and still have to keep an open mind about everything.

And now, being on the other side of the fence, as the customer, I felt the services rendered to me were unsatisfactory. On Wednesday, ironically 9/11, I were to get package delivered from #UPS.  With the tracking info stating it will be arriving by the end of the day. To be more precise, I took the liberty in updating my information to include text update alert option it offered. Perfect, right.  Let's keep going.

By the end of the day, it was a no show. Insert all the feels of 9/11 attack here rushing in me.  Then magically the status went from in transit to reschedule. Boom!  It was already 8 at night and at this point i cannot fathom a logical reason as to why it was rescheduled. Unless of course -- and again insert all the 9/11 attack feels here-- IT.IS.LOST.

*Breathe*   *Breathe*   *Breathe*

I tried to get a hold of customer service but they were closed. It was the friendly robotic automated customer service.

Just like any other customer would, I gave them a call the next day and a customer rep over the chat app was not much of a help. Apparently, #UPS reps can only relay the concerns on the facility and you just have to wait for a call back. I asked if I can have a number that I can call the facility but again, they don’t do that and you just have to wait for a call..... I don't know, to test my patience?!

     

I waited for hours on the day.  And when they finally called back, it was to say IT IS NOT IN THEIR SYSTEM (and wait, this gets better)... THEY WILL "LOOK" FOR IT.  Hearing that, this now tops off the 9/11 feels as steam now comes out of me being pissed livid.  By around 5 PM, I was told they CANNOT FIND my package and that no reason, whatsoever, was stated by the courier driver as to what happened to it.  Finally, they had the audacity to tell me what to do: file a claim for lost item. 

Sure I fu@*ng would!  Best believe I AM ON IT!

How can #UPS mishandle/loose/magically make disappear a huge box that weighs 11 lbs.


***Breathe***   ***Breathe***   ***Breatheeeeeeeeee****


I went online again to ask for an explanation and yet it's the same unacceptable answer. The #UPS person on the other end just said that the facility would have all the info I need.  At this point, just any logical person would, I trust no one.

By the third day, yet, ironically Friday the 13th, I was given the same explanation/excuse/crap that I was already made aware of -- they cannot locate it physically nor electronically.  And that they would  give me a call (AGAIN) by then OR... get this: FILE A CLAIM, yet, again. Wow. Just wow.  So I emailed #UPS about the issue, this time without any faith as my good guess and instincts dictate this would be dumped on their pile of complaints.

This is not the first time it happened to me...and for sure this wont be the last. These men in brown are just something else. Certainly on a different level of customer service that equates to crap that their company color matches on how they treat customers.  Mind you, this courier service is not cheap and trusted enough to handle something of grade and value.  But yet, out the window, goes the service and trust built in many years.  Easily a waste.

#UPS you suck.  Did your team member realize that my item on hand was sent by the one and only grading company, it is post graded and now of greater value and decided to keep it?  Was the driver a collector and sniffed my item to keep?  In case you can't tell, I am now stooping low to the level of your crappy customer service.  This way maybe you would give me a truthful answer?