Car problems possibly ruining my trip out to UK =(

Pretty upset right now and don't know where else to post this.. I took my car into the shop because I was desperately in need of an oil change and my brake light had been popping on for the last month. Turns out after inspection I need about 500$ worth of repairs (mostly brake related) UGH! This totally eats into my money for my trip in a month. I REALLY need this holiday, never taken one and want to see my man! I tried really hard to save this money and now for this to happen it will set me back quite a bit! Is it going to look bad at customs when I show up saying I'll be visiting for 16 days and only have 600$ in my pocket?  Pretty upset right now.. I may need to get a second opinion on repairs and see if someones offering a lower estimate..

Well that really sucks, LittleMissSarcasm!    I hope you're able to figure something out, get a lower estimate, etc.

I am going to move this to The Airing Cupboard section, because I think it probably fits better there in a general sense.  If the conversation turns more to the 'getting in through UK immigration' side of things (i.e., "Is it going to look bad at customs when I show up saying I'll be visiting for 16 days and only have 600$ in my pocket?"), then we might end up putting it in V&C.

That does stink, but there are so many places that do just brakes, can't you bring the car into one of those shops and see if you can get a better price? I can tell you I have landed at Heathrow about twelve times is the past (almost) two years to see my df and I have never, ever been asked how much money I have for the visit, which are usually only a week or two weeks at a time, so I hope that will put your mind at ease? 

If you feel uncomfortable with the amount of cash you have you can have your bf write a letter saying that he will support you.

Have you got any credit cards?

I too was never asked 2003-2005 how much money I had, think my longest stay was about 11 days.

I came to the UK on my first holiday in 2005. I only had about $500 with me, plus my debit card. It wasn't the easiest holiday ever, and DH wasn't all that happy about it. We were able  to do somethings, but not as much as we both would've liked. DH essentially had to foot the bill for everything, and I felt awful the whole time. Best and worst trip-at the same time! May be one of the many reasons we're broke, though! :/

Have you got any credit cards?

I too was never asked 2003-2005 how much money I had, think my longest stay was about 11 days.

The good news is I went to a second shop where they quoted me 100$ less than the other shop I went to so that's a plus. I ended up getting ym car worked on today after all. It set me back a bit, but priorities are priorities. I don't like having extra CC since I have 2 store CC. I'll be staying roughly 15-16 days so here's hoping they don't. I guess I could get my bf to write a letter, I never thought of that  Just wish I didn't have to spend that 400$ ugh

LMS, do you have a credit card? That worked for me when I was asked how much money I had. I said that I had a credit card and stated the limit. I also had like £300 in cash with me for 11 days. So certainly not enough proof but they were fine with it.

LMS, do you have a credit card? That worked for me when I was asked how much money I had. I said that I had a credit card and stated the limit. I also had like £300 in cash with me for 11 days. So certainly not enough proof but they were fine with it.

No I don't but I get a ton of offers in the mail to have one. I think I may just get one just in case Yeah I'll only be there 15 days so hopefully they won't give me a hard time..