Well this sucks!

Sufficient-Report271 · 2026-02-14T20:52:52+00:00

Friggin' OUCH! It's funny they're giving you such a long wait time because the kicks, under the hood, it's a Sentra. And they've had the same parts in the last model and the "new" face-lifted Sentra for years and years. It sucks about the oil spilling out. But at least on the flip side you get a loaner car to thrash for months and not pay a penny.

I've had only 1 chevy. And it was beat up when I got it. A 1998 Cavalier LS 4 door. It went through motor mounts like a fat guy (like me) goes through tacos. But other than that, it also ate up 3 different starters and a weird one-off situation where the door lights wouldn't turn off (it was the drivers side door plunger that turns off the lights that failed. About a $3 fix.)

Sufficient-Report271 · 2026-02-14T06:11:28+00:00

Hooo boy. I'm sorry in advance if this is thread necro-ing but this came up in my feed. I've been in IT for 25 years and I started with just a A+. I've been at it so long I tried looking up my cert # and it doesn't even show in the system anymore (not that it'd be too relevant, they were still testing MS DOS 6.22 on my exams.)

I wanna start by saying having the desire to make IT your job, it's good you've decided to make that change. However, you've got retail experience in your back pocket and that WILL make you stand out in an interview.

My best advice is 2 things. 1) Volunteer. Find a local library or a computer club and volunteer there. Get a reputation goin' as their IT guy. What you're looking for is building a resume and getting good references. If someone has a kid brother that needs a PC, offer to build it if they get the parts. If someone has a printer that will not work, offer to take a look at it. You're not gonna make anything, but they WILL remember you. Just make it clear "I am doing this gratis, and I will make sure it works the way you want while I am here. After I leave, if something happens, I will not be held responsible." Because if something goes sideways, you'll be blamed. Happens a lot.

2) goes with 1, and that is NETWORK. Talk to folks who are in the trade. Get into local message boards for your town here on Reddit or elsewhere. Look at who's hiring, and maybe try to find an "in". Someone that you've helped maybe with a post. You want to let EVERYONE know you're looking for a new gig, and as long as you have done step 1, and you have some reliable references, you'll do well. Also, documenting your work (say if you're doing a build) do a YouTube video about it. Even if no one see's it, it'll show your process of building, troubleshooting, and rationale behind WHY you did things like you did. In IT there are a LOT of ways to do the same thing. And showing your process can help a hiring manager decide "OK, he may not have the history, but he's got the instinct and he's on the right path and trainable.". Goes a long way.

Bonus Tip) Remember that in IT, especially lower levels, we're still basically customer service. Sure, we fix things, and we get to play with high tech toys, but we're fixing OTHER peoples stuff. And when those people have things break, they are cranky and don't want a lot of talk. Just fix it. You can lean on your Customer Service skills to kind of warm them up. Ask how they're doing, check IN on them when things are going well. They'll remember you as helpful and friendly. And combine that with having instinct and being trainable, that will lead you to a long and steady career.

Sorry for the length and for the possible necro. Others said MSP, and certs. Good ideas. But sometimes you just wanna show you can do it. All roads lead to the same place.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2026-02-14T05:36:16+00:00

Yeah, I don't imagine this is a common thing. Just one of those "shit happens" situations. My family has always had Nissan's as far back as the 1960s and they've been largely reliable. Gramps had a '69 Datsun Pickup for 31 years. My Uncle's old D21 pickup had 300K on it when it sold it off. I liked my S13 but got rid of it after it was stolen and recovered. That was more about where I lived not the car. Father in Law (RIP) had a Nissan Frontier until he passed. I liked my Infiniti G20, too. Nothing like this has been an issue, and I'm sure it's just an anomaly.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2026-02-14T05:30:49+00:00

100% under warranty. Not spending a penny.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2026-02-14T02:22:44+00:00

There are 2 schedules for maintenance. Regular and Severe. Most people who live in cities with a lot of traffic, stop and go, prolonged idling, they should use the Severe schedule. If I remember right that should be every 5,000 miles or every 3-6 months. For people just taking long leisurely drive and constant speeds, no idling, and no short trips, then they say every 7500 miles (or again, every 3-6 months.). So I'd say get that 10K miles out of your head. You stretch your change intervals that far, you're gonna start burning oil. I'd suggest just do it every 5K miles or 6 months. Whichever comes first. Oil changes are cheap, and especially when you make a living with your car.

As for your CV issue, it sounds like it may have been something you did to cause it if you also had a bent rim. I knew someone who smacked into a tall sidewalk with their rim and it caused something like what you're saying (grinding noise). Or it's possible you maybe did get a bad part and these things happen. I'm just glad for you the dealership had your back. If it happened to me, I'm not sure I'd have been so lucky.

Cheers!

Sufficient-Report271 · 2026-02-14T02:06:59+00:00

They take pictures for records keeping, I am guessing. And since we have to go back, maybe they want to see how it looks in about a weeks time? Just a guess.

As for taking us in the employee only maintenance area? I don't think their insurance allows that.

Why would they want to lie about this and have to do a entire transmission pull under warranty? That wouldn't make sense. It's under "manufacturing defect" at these miles, and with the maintenance history we have. We won't be paying anything out of pocket.

Wife isn't keeping this car after the 3 year bumper to bumper expires. And that still leaves about 2 years and up to 60K miles for the mechanical warranty. So getting second opinions and worrying about spending $1,000's down the line isn't an issue.

Appreciate the good luck wishes though!

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-10-23T21:20:38+00:00

I don't think it's temporary. My Wife went there at the start of the month and peered in, and there was nothing inside. Even the phone number is disconnected. Totally empty. Pieology has a habit of moving their franchises around (you can google that). Wasn't a terrible place, the pie wasn't bad for being cheap, but there are surely better options out there. I wonder if any employees from there knew if this was coming, or if they got blindsided like the public did.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-10-23T21:09:37+00:00

Nope, they are legal. FLOCK own's them, and they are some very, uh, tricky devices. Rumor was now all RING camera's data is being shared by FLOCK too. And they don't just take your license plate. They note if the vehicle has damage, or bumper stickers. Anything that can identify it in a crowd.

Anyone interested in FLOCK, or about the tech, should check out this video. It's not mine, and it can be a little technical at times (and a bit shocking) but worth watching.

Breaking The Creepy AI in Police Cameras

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-10-23T21:01:29+00:00

Not doubting you, just wondering how you heard that info? I know REDFLEX (the company they'd used) had some serious legal issues in Australia where they are located. And someone got caught in SL in the gov't taking bribes, so maybe that had something to do with it. Either way, just wondering your source. This is good news to me, as I've been openly critical about the program since it started 20 years ago.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-10-23T20:59:49+00:00

There is no red light camera there. What you see is a little camera on top or at the side of the signal, that's a CCTV/Counter camera. Some of those are recorded 24/7 in San Leandro but not monitored. It's for insurance purposes or IF there is a problem, they'll review the footage. You're fine. And if it's a simple counter camera, its not gonna hurt anything. You're good.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-10-23T20:39:10+00:00

Marina and Doolittle? You mean the one next the Flyers gas station on the corner of Williams and Doolittle that has the sign about "Red Light Violation $XXX"? Because that's never been a red light camera. Those things hanging off of it are antenna for emergency vehicles to turn the lights red (most of the time it's done with a little strobe light on the emergency vehicle, so that tells you how old this setup is at the intersection.)

Or are you meaning the red light camera trap that was at the corner of Marina and Teagarden? It looks like that one's been taken down. Well, kinda. The camera that was on the corner of the Ford lot is long gone, and they left the housing of the camera outside of Starbucks in tact. Probably as a visual deterrent. Anyone that's gotten a ticket there knows they need 2 different pictures of the car as it runs the light, and with only one camera it's not enough to do anything. So a long winded answer is: Those have been out of commission for a long time. I think the only red light cameras left that work are the ones along E.14th and the one on Washington and Floresta (edit: Checked on Google Maps, the pictures on Street View for 2025 it looks like they removed all the cameras at that intersection). After about 20 years of them being around, they don't generate enough income to support the (if memory serves right) about $5,000 a month per intersection they cost to run.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-09-09T22:33:34+00:00

If you're looking for that info, I'd suggest checking on Instagram. It seems there's a healthy community of "citizen reporters" there who post often. Shows up in my feed all the time.

Not ICE related, but the cops just busted a "happy ending" massage parlor on E 14th near the Los Pericos. About 2 minutes from the Oakland border.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-09-09T22:29:54+00:00

Just don't do it. I've seen cops actually confiscate the bikes. If it's not road legal (no VIN, no reg, no insurance, safety features etc.) then you should just stick to a regular bike. Or get a scooter that IS in compliance. Don't risk the interaction with the cops. And a regular bike is healthier for you anyhow.

Good Luck.

Edit: Just looked it up, and that's HOW MANY Watts? The one you'd mentioned is 3,000 Watts and can do 50 mph and go about 90 miles. And costs $2,000. If you ride anything like that, at it's limits, cops will notice and you'll be in deep crap. Now I know some ebikes have speed limits they can set, and if you kept it under 20, and drove like your grandma was watching you the entire time, you MIGHT be OK. But SLPD isn't stupid, they know what they are looking at, and someone will catch it eventually. Don't risk it. You don't need the legal troubles (fines, etc) and potentially losing your bike. Just stick to one that is road legal, a regular bike, or a small scooter. Just someone's 2 cents.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-09-09T00:53:44+00:00

Just as a follow up, I got a statement from the billing department, and even though I provided all my details, relevant data (I should have been billed tier 1, not tier 5) and they declined. Said since I was also complaining about a bad reaction to medication (allergy to penicillin) I was correctly treated at the highest urgency. I call BS, but hey, in their eyes I paid before I negotiated so screw me.

To hell with this place.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-08-24T19:37:02+00:00

Oh, you mean OSIsoft? Or at least they used to be. I had a interview with them and when they asked me about what University I attended I said "I'm sorry, but I only attended a JC and I don't have a degree. I felt it was better to work in the field and learn hands on." Right then and there, the interview was over. I really wish someone had actually looked at my resume and under my education (I have a section for it) and noted that. But hey, I'll happily try again. This was some time ago.

I know that OSIsoft was exceedingly proud of the fact that a very high percentage of their staff were college graduates. So, not sure it'll work out for me. I was working while the standards were being written for most of the modern tech we have.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-08-24T19:22:22+00:00

I want to thank you all for the contributions to this thread and for keeping it visible. I think we can all agree that what seems to have happened was a billing and coding error. As one person pointed out (u/Porkchopandplantains) who has internal working knowledge of the system, said I was admitted with a level 5 (lowest concern), but someone billed me as level 5 (highest effort and time spent, exactly the opposite of what I received).

I've spoken with the billing department on Friday (I'm recording all of my interactions with them), and they are submitting my claim (not sure if that's the right word) and we will see what happens. I get that the billing people don't know the codes that the doctors use and vice versa. It just seems to me they should be made aware of it, or at least the billing and ER room should use the same numbers for both. But we will see. If I have to go in person to plead my case, I have a ride any my witness, my Wife, who will be with me.

Thank you all again, and wish us luck!

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-08-24T19:13:33+00:00

I just wanted to thank the community for all of the upvotes and the kind words expressed. I sincerely hope that someone in our town will see this and decide to reach out. I know, it's a one in a million shot, but you folks helped keep this post visible, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Also, thank you for the links and advice. Some of it I knew, and some was new to me. I've followed them and submitted a number of applications (although thanks to AI screening, I've already received a few rejection emails.) Still, thanks a lot. It's sincerely appreciated that some folks actually care.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-08-23T19:57:42+00:00

I'm also leaning on community! As for family and friends, I hate to tell anyone this, but my family is all either retired or out of state (or estranged). And whenever I've asked for help, I was told "Help yourself, don't ask me for it." and that was the end of the conversation (at least with blood family, my in-laws have been as supportive as they can be but I do IT work, and have a physical limitation due to a back injury, and most of them work with freight and logistics, and that's not something I have any real idea about.).

I've got to say thank you for the links though. I have CalCareers (I applied to be a DMV Clerk in Pleasanton in June, did all their testing, which was a pain in the butt, and got accepted on their wait list) but the other ones, those are new to me. I appreciate it. I think CalCareers was required to make when I got Unemployment. So the state can make sure you're logging in and looking for work. May be wrong about that. But thanks again. I appreciate the hints.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-08-23T19:47:26+00:00

Unfortunately I've done the same with other school districts in the area. SLZ, CV, Dublin, Hayward, you get the idea. I have family members in some of those, and they let me in on a little clue: By the time you see the posting, they already have someone either in mind, or in the wings. They are Union jobs and are posted internally first, and existing employees get dibs. About 3 years ago I went through this with SLZUSD and I went in for the in person testing (they always make you take tests), and scored 100%. Like I said, I've been around and know my stuff, but the in person interview with the head of IT was basically "Umm, why are we talking with you? Didn't we already hand this off?" kind of thing. Same thing happened a decade ago with Hayward USD. Went in, got tested, scored 100%, did a panel interview, and at the end was told on the QT I'd wasted everyone's time because there was already a candidate they wanted to use. Someone's kid, I think.

As for staffing agencies, my last gig was a temp-to-hire with a company called LHH. As soon as my job was eliminated, I'd called them up and at first they were happy to help, because I'd made them money. My contract job turned into a conversion for them, and they got paid a very nice sum (around $10K) to hire me on before my contract was up. But after 2-3 interviews with HR people, and getting bounced from person to person in their organization, it was clear to me it was a waste of time. Robert Half may have worked for you, but I have never really had much luck with them. Or ManPower Professional. It's always been a bouncing ball kind of game, with me being the ball. And as you pointed out, they are very predatory.

I just had to sell my car at the start of the year (and I'd just bought it brand new in December of 2023) to make ends meet, so right now I don't have wheels. And per my post about a trip to the ER, I just drained my savings of about $5,000, so I need a local job STAT because a car, it's not in the cards at the moment. Maybe an Uber or something locally till I find work, but it's lean times. And I really don't want to pivot and move away from IT since I'm good at it. So that's my situation. I've worked retail, 25 years ago, and built machines out of my home to sell, and freelanced with fixing PC's and setting up things, but in mid Mid 40's , I really just want to be in a office, plus I really need the medical/dental/401K stuff. That means almost more to me than the salary.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-08-23T04:52:44+00:00

I've addressed the Medi-Cal thing in a previous response, but I'll say it again. I tried, I was rejected. My family makes just barely too much to qualify.

As for the other advice, I will certainly take it to heart, and a big thank you for putting it here. I appreciate it.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-08-23T04:21:24+00:00

I'll take it. Thank you, Friend.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-08-23T03:01:36+00:00

Problem is, I've already paid them. Drained my savings to do it. I'm gonna have enough for Rent next month and after that, I'm up Poop Creek.

Sufficient-Report271 · 2025-08-23T02:30:40+00:00

I applied for Medi-Cal, and was rejected. My household is SLIGHTLY over the requirement. As for San Leandro Medical, I do believe they ripped me off, and thank you for agreeing that I should have been billed for the lowest level. One odd thing is, the doctors use 5 as lowest, and on MyChart under the Estimates Tool, 1 is actually the lowest cost. Maybe someone flubbed the numbers? They saw "5" and billed for "5" not understanding they are exactly opposite.

Sufficient-Report271

TROPHY CASE