Over here, in a world where pragmatism rules, there are deals to be had for just about anything.
So, when the Pug agent reception area has some fixed price poster displayed with an eye-catching price and what you get, everyone, including us, just ignores it as the wallpaper it is.
Why?
Because cash is king!
I know I am a lazy bu99er and with the language challenge, I get our garage to take our motors for their ITV (MoT).
The ITV charge is invoiced, and any bits needed appear as they incur IVA (VAT).
But to take the vehicle and any insignificant labour is on a scribbled nota (note) and cash changes hands.
[off at a tangent] I spent an hour reclined (yea!) in the dentist's chair today (yesterday, now) and he knows we do not have a "plan", which many here have that is a sort of insurance covering an examination and a course of treatment annually.
So, we pay a much lower charge per filling and cash goes straight into the desk drawer. [end off at a tangent]
Back to cars, and there are loads of small talleres (workshops) with oil change deals and tyre bargains, all supported by big name companies.
I don't know anybody who has bought into one of these offers.
They all just say to "Pedro", how much to ...."
Pedro rubs chin and gives a figure, which may be subject to a bit of bartering, and price agreed, job goes ahead, and cash changes hands.
I will not upset you by telling you the hourly rate for different things, but needless to say cash in hand is still king here.
They do know how to play the game though.
Not long ago we had a flat on the 108.
We took the 5008 and called in at the garage.
Have you got assistance on your insurance they asked.
Yes we said.
Excellent they said, give us the telephone number, which we did.
They got the call out and reimbursed from insurance and we just paid for the puncture repair.
Sorted.
Win win all round!
Spanish pragmatism rules!!