You are absolutely right Art!

The mechanic did say it was getting power so it should run!

The owner is throwing around his on misnomer of other possibles, for what ever reasons, beyond our knowledge of the condition of the car.
Maybe he hears the pump and doubts his mechanic's honesty or abilities?
Like a skeptical medical patient, he wants a second opinion.

He is in an unknown town and maybe his money is not as thick as some party dips, that can be put on a cracker.

I was suggesting another method of eliminating another surprise that happens after you hand over the keys!

After a shop has your car, they got you by the short hairs, on what can turn into a "repairing" learning curve bill, instead of it being a "It was to repair only this bill." You tell me now that was not it and you willing or want to split what $..... amount!

Logically speaking here, when you take a car, across country, you get things fixed beforehand. I agree, a pump ends up on the, "I will roll the dice list!" We all do it everyday we drive around.

It's Like, reading the fine print on a leasing or warranty contract. I read that, but I didn't expect it meant that, this way!

Yes sir, the paint peeled because you parked the car near a coal burning plant! There is sulphur in coal and there is dew! The Paint damage is not covering for damage done by sulphuric acid.

A cross country car trip is an adventure in many ways!

Phil