13/02/2026
I share stories of dilemna and such sometimes for one reason. I hope that someone takes something away that helps them. If I am sharing, then that's why. It took me a VERY long time in my life to be comfortable to be vulnerable. So I share my vulnerability as I do posts as a conscious act of bravery, so that people see, that conscious solutions I find, resilience I have. Isn't always easy. So please do not feel sorry for me!!! It isn't why I share, be inspired, proud, happy ;) Sometimes that's all people share. Triumph. I prefer real world. This isn't a story of triumph. Well that's not true cause I sure did in the end. But it is a story of how, I am not perfect. In that I hope you can see that you don't need to be either. I may not emphasise parts, so I'll share here before you begin. I lost easy, 2 days this week stressing over this. My personality will do that. For context I saved and dreamed about this van for 10 years! For me she means an awful lot.
I often tell people if it looks like a duck..... For 2 weeks I have paid the price of not following my own advice. My beloved Joyda. (My van for those of you who don't know is my 10 year dream, 1999 hiace and she is my baby)
I saved for a stereo with maps and new speakers.
I listened to the advice of a shop the sells this stuff on the daily and bought what I needed
Took van to auto electrician I'd used before for minor things.
Here's the clincher.
I use the same mechanic 15 years
Same Gearbox guy 10 years
Didn't have an auto elec
Someone I know did
And they seemed ok.
Worked from home. Ok. You say your licenced, 20 years exp. Business card has license number.
Dropped Van Tuesday.
Said no rush.
1st mistake.
Rings me Saturday, finally started.
Speakers I bought don't fit.
I go buy new speakers,
Get better speakers with help from excellent customer service at Autobarn Lake Haven.
Take new speakers to elec.
Ready, he says later that day.
Pick up
Sweet
He tells me he installed the original speakers in back, not upgraded ones.
Was easier he says. Won't effect sound he says. I trust him.
Pay him
Hmmm don't sound good.
Go home
Fiddle for an hour
Yeh na.
Tell him,
I want what I asked for install correct speakers please.
Mean time find all sorts of trim loose, mud all over my fridge cover.
Takes him days to respond enough to get organised
Drop van.
Done. Then he tells me passenger door speaker faulty.
Take back the speaker.
We are like 10 days in now.
Autobarn is as helpful as can but doubtful its faulty and explains why.
Makes sense.
They honour my exchange anyway after elec debates with them on phone. He is adamant its speaker.
So I wait few more days for exchange (Autobarn did next business day) I allowed for shipping even though they were happy to open a box.
Get speaker.
Keeping in mind every time over last now 2 weeks I've had to stop work, or be ignored and distracted. Lalala.
Go back he installs.
I leave.
Get 2 kms up road
It's fu**ed.
He isn't answering phone.
I go back.
He is gone.
Doesn't reply for hours.
I told him when I dropped van in first instance. Passenger door speaker is already faulty. Ignored. Obviously never tested harness.
Anyway after over 24, now 72 hours of still being ignored.
Emotionally I gave up.
I needed to move on.
So this morning after paying 1st guy $800 just for install (he also installed new locks) I paid $384 to find out my head unit was just placed in. Not secured.
Nothing was soldered just taped up.
And my wiring harness is broken in passenger door. As I first said. Speaker is and always was fine.
So now, I have to go back replace harness and, as I should of, install an amp (like I fkn asked but was told didnt need) if want the speakers to perform. That will be $1k.
Yes stereo speakers are not end of world.
But when you wait a decade for the van, then lose her for 2 months and 7k for new gear box just weeks later, then wait 2 months to get roof tent up. Brakes, services, lalala.
Finally get to get a stereo.
And some son of a bitch does this to her.
Honestly it upset me so much. Literal tears.
I had to just weigh the Emotional toll of justice vs sanity and well being.
Was like someone spitting in my path. I just wanted to rage so hard.
So instead I choose my peace.
I didn't give up.
I just chose me.
Do I have to wait, yep. Does it suck
Yep.
But some battles just are not worth the fight.
I chose me.
Yes it's costing me money I hardly have and I'll have to save again. But was costing me more being mad and friggen sad. The decision to move on was an immediate weight off my chest.
I share to give awareness about how perspective is important. How I let my loyalty over my gut, have a big emotional toll on me. How I recognised it and said enough is enough. But how it took me a long time to be able to do that in my life. Before I'd seek justice to my own demise.
But I could see, I was so impacted because of the huge dissapointments I've already had. This was just one more, I was excited and I got kicked royally in the ass.
My loyalty blinded my intuition.
The price was to high and paying for it all, all over again is way cheaper than making myself mad, miserable and vengeful.
Hope this gives you all a little food for thought and maybe even a little perspective of your own to release what does not serve.
Pics are of the trim around my car.
