Let's play a math game - okay? What's the difference between $99 and $25? How about $118.95 and $25?

So, do you want to know what in the blue blazes I'm talking about? I'm talking about the price differences of having a key made at different dealerships. The same, exact key, mind you! But we'll get back to that.

Let me back up a tad. A few weeks ago, I finally decided it was time to find a different vehicle - something that I could use to haul straw bails for "my girls" (remember my chickens, in past articles?) and whatever other oddities I might want to toss in the back and drag home.

Now, I'm not a fan of the boxy look, but I'm going for utilitarian, rather than va-va-voom! I decided on a used Element. Yes, I know - they look like a deep freeze on wheels, but let's face it; there isn't one new car on the road that can compare to the class and chrome of the early cars, so why not go for pure ugly?

I did my research and checked the Internet to see who had what.

I have to admit that I'd had my other vehicle so long that I'd forgotten what fun shopping for vehicles can be. Wait, did I say, 'fun'? Ya, only if you spent the afternoon at a happy hour, before you head out to the dealerships. I didn't, but in hind site, I should have.

Why can't buying a car be like buying anything else? There's a price sticker and you decide if you want to pay that price. Oh no, it's not that easy, my friend. You must suffer; you must play the game, if you want a fair deal.

My day started out really well at a dealer in Burien. I won't mention the names to protect the innocent, but I'm sure that you can figure out who is who. The salesman strolled over and showed me what he had. He even introduced me to the sales manager. I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, but the prices were good. Everyone was really personable. It was almost as if they saw a person walking onto the lot, rather than an open wallet. I was actually bothered that they didn't have the used model that I was looking for. I pressed on.

So, now I head up to Ballard. They had the car I wanted, but it was lacking some of the extras I was looking for. The sales manager was almost indifferent and had no interest in helping me find a solution. The salesman, however, looked pensively into my eyes and with a firm handshake, growled, "I understand what you want. I want to make you happy. What can I do to earn your business?"

I felt this panic coursing through my veins. He had the passion of a Latin lover and I wasn't quite ready to enter into that sort of commitment. I just wanted a car. I pressed on.

I feel a little guilty, like I risked my soul, but I headed across the bridge and ended up in south Bellevue. The first thing I see, as I drive through an ocean of cars, are swarming salesman - hungry and all eyeing me with nervous twitches. I wanted to leave, but they happened to have the exact car I wanted.

I parked my beater and before I could even turn off the engine, I've got this teenage barracuda, chomping on a wad of gum that could patch a pothole, coming at me. I avoided eye contact and ran into the dealership to find someone calm and safe.

I test-drove the car and, unfortunately, it was the one I wanted. I knew that I was in for it, now. The agony of dickering was just about to begin. I sat for two excruciating hours, as the salesman and I waited for the sales manager to come by and diddle some figures onto the paper and then head off to the next salesman. He was a bit like a bee, flitting from flower to flower.

Finally, we worked a deal and I signed the papers. It's amazing how fast things go, after you make a deal. The finance guy whipped through the paperwork like he was on rocket fuel! It wasn't until I was ready to drive out that I found out that they only had one key and one remote door opener for my car.

And this is where we get back to my original math question. After talking to a dealership in Fife, Renton and Bellevue, I had almost decided to settle for one key and one remote. The prices for having a new key made were astronomical! That is until I called the Burien dealer.

Yep, right in my own backyard, I found that the price of having a key made was 75 percent less than anywhere else! Plus, the guy who makes the key is relaxed and friendly - like dropping by to visit with a cousin.

So, ya gotta wonder - if there's that much price difference in having a key made, then what about the price of an oil change or engine work? Just out of curiosity, I called around.

Well, I feel a bit like Dorothy, when she came to the realization that "There's no place like home." In the future, this girl is gonna keep her ruby red slippers in her own home territory. The local businesses may not always have exactly what you're looking for, but don't be fooled that you're gonna find a better price or get better service somewhere else.