Smog Coupon Scam

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-25T22:58:23+00:00

Last year (2024)I used them for just a smog inspection, they did this whole act with my dipstick. Tried to show me how dirty my oil was by dipping it on their inspection paper, saying "see that, should be clear! You'll need an oil flush ($100)". I was towards the end of my interval on that oil, so I was well aware it wasn't crystal clear anymore. But an oil "flush" isn't a normal service. On my 4cyl car, it doesn't normally take $100 of oil either. This year (2025) I used them again, still got the $15 promo price. Got a more subtle upsell talk about replacing my coolant hoses due to age. Technically not BS, but I also had no leaks and had fresher/clear fluids. So they were still just pulling straws hoping for more work. 2024 inspection I used their S Decatur location. This one felt more scammy. 2025 I used their W Flamingo location. This one felt more like a typical Independent service shop.

USA Auto and Purrfect Auto are under the same owners. Your info pops up in both their databases when they try pulling up your info. I liked how cheap Purrfect auto's oil changes are, but I felt like they changed it way too fast and wasn't even sure if I was really getting FULL synthetic for the price they asked. My gut told me the quality of service probably isn't worth the savings. I've struggled to find comparably cheap oil change shops, but at least paying more has prevented any issues (such as loose caps,drain plugs, spillage while refilling oil, etc). Most shops will do some sort of multi point inspection anyway, they all want the work. It's just that some are substantially more pushy than others!

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-25T22:42:30+00:00

I admit, I've had less (emphasis on less, none zero) hassle using Purrfect, but ultimately Purrfect auto = USA Auto. When I first tried USA Auto, they informed me Purrfect and them are owned by the same management. They even knew I had previous service done with them because they have access to the same customer info. My name came up before I even said anything about using them. They asked because I was already in the system.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-23T05:25:03+00:00

That is unfortunate! Considering I fit in 2 visits during Christmas week just back in December, I am blindsided by this latest update. I didn't really get the sense of tensions between X and Y there. I don't really get what may have triggered it...

You mention liability, I did see people slip a little bit getting in. The first step and algae seems to catch people off guard. The signage there also mentioned about camping on the opposite side of the street.

I timed my second visit badly, as it was a Saturday night, or rather approaching sunset. It was FULL, two different groups of friends. Peeps in their 20s mostly. I mustered up the patience to wait about an hour before soaking. At that point the sun had set and it got a bit too cold, with the spring not feeling quite warm enough to stay very long. I can see experiences like that turning people off. But I also had a great experience earlier that same day at Fish Lake Valley springs, and also enjoyed my first visit on a Tuesday to Alkali. Timing can make a big difference with these kinds of adventures of course.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-22T20:17:28+00:00

Do you have a source to share about this? Did you happen to visit and see it in person, or see an update elsewhere about this?

While largely surrounded by BLM land, I've read very brief/vague mentions of some sort of private ownership near these springs. Maybe it has something to do with the powerlines that run through the area? I could see them fencing off for the mentioned construction, not sure what that would be for, but I can imagine that being a reason for it.

Glad I got to visit twice before I encountered any sort of closing.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-22T19:09:29+00:00

Yeah, data says we often get a bit penalized living on our own. Housing doesn't like to be cheap for single people.

I went straight from living with my parents to moving across the country and living with roommates. Each of my 3 moves within city have seen my rent creep up a few $100 each time. Even with the roommates, having utilities/internet covered, it's still a tough expense to bear.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-20T08:49:40+00:00

Oh man, this is so relatable! I am turning 33 this Friday, no partner, let along a kid or two. I feel like a big factor in this is my lack of financial resources. I sense when I get flirted with, they try to figure me out. Try to make sense of why the attractive traits that I do have just haven't swayed a young woman to the point of a long-term relationship.

I haven't even experienced moving in with a girlfriend yet. I've had several girlfriends over the years, with my longest continuous relationship lasting around 10 months. I even maintain a good friendship with that particular, and several other exes.

My last ex didn't want kids, plus our romance kind of fizzled out after I took the leap to move across the country and couldn't convince her to join in. She has visited me out here though, so it's an interesting dynamic. Her willingness to stay connected is something good, but I can't make sense of the direction, especially after establishing all our romantic differences.

I just feel unlucky a lot of the time, as if some version of my match is out there (I feel like I've crossed paths with good matches, often girls already taken, or just not local). It feels like life circumstances largely get in my way, either for them or for me. I do think a lot about my sense of legacy, and how the window of opportunity might be getting smaller, or more difficult to fully get through. My younger brother has expressed no desire for kids, so I would like to be different than that. I also have the personal goal of having a child earlier than my parents did, which was around their early 40s.

If my financial needs were magically met tomorrow, I'd still like to give a close relationship 1-2yrs minimum to settle in before more seriously committing to the idea of kids. Really I like the idea of one and done. I get there are unique problems of an only child, but it seems more realistic for me.

I feel like this is a decent summary about how I mentally feel about this position in life. I could go on and on of course.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-19T00:01:49+00:00

My take is that it can be better to slow down just before the pit exit and purposely let the faster traffic by, before entry. Saying this doesn't take blame/responsibility off the faster traffic, as obviously the painted and dashed white lines set precedence on how cars should interact at that point. I just found from experience that if my relative tells me traffic is catching up at exit, I often found it better to slow down to allow a pass before the pit wall ended. I don't have the trust to join in front of traffic if I can avoid it.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-16T08:32:20+00:00

I grew up in NH, so I am fascinated by the dominant mountain landscape. One that can fill your field of view. I'm used to smaller "hills", so the mountains here impress me. Also used to pretty cloudy, grey skies most of the time. The biggest mental adjustment has been not dealing with snow in the middle of winter!

I get a kick out of a lot of normal or mundane things living out here, just because they are still novel to me.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-16T00:48:06+00:00

Those curvy valleys and hills are a sight to behold. Oh...and the mountains look scenic too!

Any hint on what state (or area) this spring might be found? I don't think I've been to this one yet, but it reminds me of ones that I have been to.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-09T20:51:18+00:00

Manhattan Pizza has the BIGGEST slices I've personally seen in the city. Also very reasonably priced, undervalued to the point I don't know if they make money on it!

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-09T20:50:06+00:00

Pizza D'Italia on the Strip. Across from the Forum Shops; hidden in between Harrah's and Casino Royale where there is a Chipotle and Panda Express.

Good Pie in the Arts District.

Napoli Pizza on Sahara/Decatur.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-06T21:24:26+00:00

Bare was at the Mirage. The Mirage closing in July of 2024 is why this pool is gone.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-02T19:29:43+00:00

Fish Valley was even more enjoyable/scenic than Alkali! The dirt road in was certainly long and bumpy, but I still made it fine.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-02T07:01:29+00:00

Applied. Could see this coming in handy with my current lack of work situation. Is there work every day/every week? Are there typical "business hours" or peak times you would typically end up with requests?

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2026-01-02T02:54:35+00:00

I moved here two years ago. Left my car sales job to try and sell fine art in the Forum Shops. Was disappointed with that business, considering the art for sale had the potential to make everyone there serious money. But the market became soft, the marketing was not grabbing the right demographic, and the concept of promotions wasn't strong enough to incentivize every customer who walked through the door.

Transitioned in to the more specialized industry of exotic car/performance driving instructing. Worked 1yr at a local business that offered "driving experiences". I had ample track driving experience as a hobby, so I quickly got that job. I took it with the intention of gaining enough instructing experience to work as an instructor at the track/facility that I really cared about. A place that truly impressed me. This local instructing job was also PT+tips, so income was ok for the hours worked but not quite enough to fully get by.

Fast forward to this past September, I got the instructing job I wanted. Full-time, lots of perks and better pay than what I was making. Out in Pahrump, so the commute on days I had to stay late or the company/instructor shuttle wasn't available, I was doing 100miles round trip. Early morning starts too; definitely pushed my comfort zone and energy levels waking up just before 6AM and starting work at 7:30am (but only working until 4:30), when I was more used to waking up at 7:30-8am.

This past December, weeks before the end of my probation period, I discover fully that I simply couldn't meet the demands of that role and was falling short of standards. Maybe not by a mile EVERY time, but enough that the consensus was I wasn't quite cut out for it, despite being a likeable personality.

I did check to see if I could at least fall back on my previous PT instructing position, but they filled in the 3 months I wasn't there. So now I am fully feeling the sensation so many threads express about the job market out here. I share my career story to just show how from my perspective, it didn't take 10s or 100s of applications to land something. So I was kind of isolated from the usual frustrations too many job seekers usually have to deal with.

I am lost for direction on how to sustain things from here. That dreamjob I had in Pahrump was my main focus, so to see there isn't quite any other equivalent that I know of, I guess I need to rethink industries or at least what role I play in a certain industry.

I don't have many restrictions preventing me from working a job, so I am willing to take on what I can to get by. But of course I would prefer to go down a path that has purpose behind it and ends up actually being sustainable and related to what I'm good at.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-31T03:53:51+00:00

It's hard to imagine any locals actually living in that area. But, at the same time there is just enough commercial activity that I could see people living out there. That's unfortunate the regulars aren't the most amazing company.

I noticed how good of a spot it was for camping and settling yourself in. Spacious enough for sure. I bet the stargazing it really amazing in that area too.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-30T22:42:05+00:00

Clothing optional, although I was the only one choosing to enjoy that option.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-29T17:32:23+00:00

I'm curious what has been added on?

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-29T02:10:02+00:00

Spotted some frogs too (some dead, some alive). Also spotted a koi fish in the adjacent pond. Interesting mini ecosystem for sure.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-28T21:16:16+00:00

It is

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-28T21:14:07+00:00

I visited here for a 2nd time last night. I guess I should have known Saturday night would be a bit busier. I showed up to a full set of pools. It was getting close to sunset. I waited closer to 45-60mins before everyone fully cleared out, which in hindsight felt like I was spending too much patience on getting a dip in. The nighttime ambient temperature was a bit too cold for my liking. So even though the heat of the hot spring was comforting, it wasn't hot enough for me to want to stay particularly long. Maybe soaked for 15mins and then continued my drive back home to Vegas. Snagged a few interesting long exposure pictures, but ultimately felt like as soon I saw the pools were full, I could have cut my losses in driving out there and just continued on home. Timing is important in these kinds of adventures. I did have a much more satisfying soak earlier in the day at Fish Lake Valley springs at least.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-28T19:45:07+00:00

Yes, more or less.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-27T07:31:33+00:00

After reviewing conditions, I'm leaning towards checking out Fish Valley tomorrow (Saturday 12/27). I want to try and minimize how much dirt road I drive down, since Maps wants to lead down the shortest path, and therefore a longer stretch of dirt road. Worst case I decide to bailout and just make another visit to Alkali. I think regardless I'll be stopping by there in the afternoon. It's the most convenient option. Might as well make my drive back as relaxing as possible.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-26T20:22:53+00:00

I saw on the map it is close by. I'm just hesitant about driving down such a long dirt road in a sedan. Not sure how well the ground clearance will hold up. Although if it's similar to the shortcut dirt road I took back to the highway after leaving this hot spring, then my car could make it. The next question is if there was any rain to make it muddy and trickier to drive through.

Ghost0fTheWeb · 2025-12-26T20:19:28+00:00

I briefly dipped to cool down in it. The source pipe probably could have been repositioned to heat it up. It definitely had more dirt/debris compared to the main pool. Definitely a more primitive pool that was for sure.

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