So far, all the input has confirmed what I was thinking, but I don’t know if my friend will heed the advice. He has a lot to gain by doing so.
Back from Pep Boys, where the new battery was installed. It took over an hour. I don’t understand that, because it isn’t hard to get to, and they had the battery in stock.
At least I didn’t have to pay a core charge ($19), and I also got a $10 discount for ordering it online, but it still came to $126. I feel a lot better now. And maybe I can get to DMV tomorrow.
If your friend is foolish enough to name a relative he suspects is dishonest as his legal representative ... what can anyone do but shake their heads?