Due to the accident I wrote about recently, my wife and I have had the unfortunate "fun" of buying a car to replace the one recently lost. Hint: It's not fun.

I think I have identified the problem, though. If you think about it, cars and homes have one thing in common: They are both very high value items. When you buy either one, you will be expending a lot of your resources, with there even being some overlap between the two (e.g. there are 6-digit cars and there are 5-digit homes).

However, despite this overlap, there is a big difference. When you buy a house, you probably hire a realtor to help you out with the process. You don't have to, of course, but most people do, and with good reaon. This person represents you. They are your sherpa through the home-buying process. If they're any good (like ours is), then they can help you avoid stepping on a land mine in the strange and dangerous land of high-value purchases.

When you buy a car, on the other hand, it is you, the rank amateur, against the dealership. Many times you will get tag-teamed. There is nobody well-informed and on your side.

The sleazier amongst them will lie. Sometimes it will be about big things. "Oh yea, it has a clean CARFAX report. Trust me." Other times it will be to try to fake their way into your peer group. "Oh yeah, I know ham radio. D-R-D-R-A-K-E." (As a ham, I caught this lie instantly--that is not even remotely anything like a ham callsign).

Then when you decide to bail on one particular dealership, you can't just tell the guy no and leave. Now, you have to hear from his manager who will try to pressure you to sign today.

I did tell a couple of them to save their breath, that they should know that we never accept a same-day deal on anything over $40. Of course, they ignored this; it's their job, but on we go.

We did finally find a car my wife liked (it is her car that needed replacement), so we made a deal.

Now comes the fun. My phone has started ringing with calls from other dealers wanting to know if there has been a decision. Naturally, I tell them there has, and they sound all disappointed and stuff. Again, it's their job.

The one that galled me, though, is this: With one particular dealer, after the follow-up from the salesperson, I get a folow-up-follow-up from the manager. Dude! Listen! We have made a deal, and it isn't you! Get the hell over it!

Bah!