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6/4/12

Civil Courts Aren't Exactly Designed for the Little Guy

Over 8 months after my car's engine fused together (thanks to a bad repair job) and countless lawyer consultations, confusing trials and nail-biting, a judgement has been rendered in my lawsuit.

NOT in my favor.

Quick recap:  Radiator cracked in Montana.  Got it fixed at a Ford dealership.  6 days later their radiator failed and destroyed my engine.  They said "not their problem."  I sued.

And the judge agreed with them.  It's not their problem.

If I knew it was hopeless, I would have scraped together money for a replacement car by now, instead of renting vehicles in the hopes for reimbursement.

But I guess that's not their problem either.  And I should have known better than to sue a major business (and their high-powered, high-cost attorneys) on a budget like mine.

There's screwed and then there's royally boned.  I feel like I'm in the latter category right now.

I refuse to stay down for long.  Time to pick up the pieces and try to recover.

Trying to think of ways to pay for attorney/rental/get-a-car-again costs, I decided (like a lot of other bloggers do) to write a book.

I promise the idea didn't start like this:



What better thing for me to write about than what I blog about?

Coming soon to an eReader near you, I would like to present The Book of Idaho.  It will be a collection of 21 "Greatest Hits" plus maybe a little extra.

If I make it, would you be interested?  Or will it be a flop?  99 cent eBooks are all the rage, so why not give it a shot?

For those of you that have published your own, do you have any advice to share?

For example:  Pictures or no pictures?

This book is designed to entertain, so let me know what you would like to see in it.  Bonus content?  The best of the best? More Mormons?  Less Mormons?

Finally:  Other bloggers.  eReaders allow links, and I was thinking about adding a 'sponsored' blogroll into the book.  "If you liked these stories, you'll LOVE _________"  That blank space could be you.  If I sold ad space in my book, would you be interested??

With luck (and maybe some celebrity endorsements) this will help me get back on track, and into reliable transportation.   Stay tuned!
Please Share it! :)

15 witty retorts:

not displayed said...

sorry to hear you didnt win the court case over your car. Not good.
The book idea is a good one. As long as it doesnt cost you a heap of money up front, I say give it a go.

Pish Posh said...

Sorry about the court case. Bf is headed to court right now. Sucks.

Book idea is good, pics/no pics not important for your writing, and yes I'd buy your book. I'm writing one too. In fact I may email you about that later.

A Beer for the Shower said...

Man, I'm really sorry to hear about the court case. That's just astounding to me. You'd be amazed what dealerships can get away with. I had a friend who had a bad starter and got it replaced with a new one. He went to start the car, and the new starter shredded his flywheel and majorly messed up his car.

The ruling? "It was your fault, because we installed the starter, but you started your car."

Not kidding. On a lighter note, the ebook is a great idea, and I'd definitely buy it.

Mama Melch said...

Towlie auf Deutsch. Danke! Bekiffte Handtuecher sind die Hammer. Did you post it in German or did it switch for me in Germany? Hmmm...
Anyway, book...YES! I'd buy it. I've heard good things about Amazon's self-publishing option, though haven't done it personally. Get cracking!

katsidhe said...

That is fucking ridiculous about your car! How can a judge in good conscious side with THEM??

As for the eBook? Go for it!

Lady Estrogen said...

I have got royally screwed by the "justice" system as well - it's jaded me for sure.

Go for it with the book! It's pretty easy to do - if you own the pictures (took them yourself or paid stock photo), then YES. Pictures are fun!

Links are fun too :)

Unknown said...

I have thought about writing a book too. Of course it would be about sewing, but hey that is what I know a lot about! Pictures yes, and I would pay $.99 for your book!

Utah L said...

You should have called Click-n-Clack for advice before going to court.

Out of Barnes said...

I always thought a good title for a book would be "The Book of Poorman"' since it would play off the name of a famous book in this part of the country. Sorry about your lawsuit. Your book will be a best seller, and if every reader of your blog buys it you'll be set. Just price it a little more than 99 cents since Amazon takes their cut. I just paid $12.99 for an ebook and I have no idea whether the writer is any good, so I'd definitely pay the same for your book, since I at least know you can write a good story.

Melanie said...

Sorry to hear about the case. That sucks. Big. Mine is still in litigation. Who knows how long. Like I said before, when it is done, I am going to have ONE HELL OF A POST as I will finally be able to tell the story.

As for the book...I would totally download. For sure. Just remember that when I publish a cook book. Which I am going to. Soon.

AND...you are way more positive about the turn of events than I would be...or at least you appear to be. I would be bitching up a storm for weeks on end!!

Cap'n Salty said...

I would definitely buy it!

I feel for you and your woes. Sometimes life just sucks that way. Sorry you're going through a rough spot, it will get better!

Zombie said...

Dude that freakin sucks! sorry to hear your hearing went so badly...

G said...

It seems everywhere is lacking real justice these days...

And I'd be interested in buying an add in your book.

Q said...

I'm sure I'd buy ad space. Sorry about the car. It does suck to go against companies with money. Where are you getting the book done?

Ray Ashton said...

There are really a lot of civil recovery cases that were left hanging, that is why I think our court needs experienced and dedicated lawyers and judges to be able to address to this kind of uncertainty and doubts questioning the capability of the court in making legal decisions.

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