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08-30-2023, 10:53 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 2
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car repair ripoff
my wife took her car in because of check engine light, they told her it was her upper exhaust pipe leaking, repair cost just over 900. Thinking it sounded pretty high i did some checking, their quoted prices were pipe 564,2 gaskets just over 100, 3 nuts 75. So i called gm for prices the pipe was 341 and oh yes that includes the 2 gaskets, the 3 nuts cost 4.50 each. When i went back to the repair shop and presented my prices
they agreed to drop 400 off the bill. so do not be afraid to do a little homework.
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08-30-2023, 11:16 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 100
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So I take it that your FFing equipment was in the trunk of the car since this is posted in the flyfishing section. Inquiring minds have a need to know.
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One reply per thread is my limit hence the handle.
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08-30-2023, 07:54 PM
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,676
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I've always found that removing your car from the auto shop's parking lot before you haggle over the bill tends to help. Theres been a few times that a disagreement over billing appears to be going nowhere until I mention... "Just so you know, all we're arguing over is the spare keys"... usually followed by a complete change of attitude.
Sure, if they really wanted to get a collections agency after me I'd have to pay what they want, but I think trying to collect on unpaid bills is more of a widespread problem with automotive shops than most people would think. If the conversation looks like its headed in that direction and the shop realizes they dont hold any collateral, they would generally rather trim the bill than get caught up in another unprofitable dispute.
I'm not saying that this is how business should be done in general, but in blatant examples like where the shop is billing for more hours than the vehicle was actually on the premises, or trying to bill for fixing damage that they caused... bring the spare keys and a buddy, play nice until the vehicle is gone, then start the negotiations.
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If the good lord didnt want me to ride a four wheeler with no shirt on, then how come my nipples grow back after every wipeout?
Last edited by Bushleague; 08-30-2023 at 08:01 PM.
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08-30-2023, 08:57 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,315
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Start price checking parts. It’ll blow your mind. Quite literally everything I looked at was double at the dealership.
Now labor and shop costs I can understand, even if I don’t like paying for em. But 100% markup, no friggen way.
Truck hasn’t seen the inside of a dealership since I figured it out. YouTube and a set of wrenches. A guy can figure it out, most of the time.
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“Nothing is more persistent than a liberal with a dumb idea” - Ebrand
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08-31-2023, 07:18 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 306
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3blade
Start price checking parts. It’ll blow your mind. Quite literally everything I looked at was double at the dealership.
Now labor and shop costs I can understand, even if I don’t like paying for em. But 100% markup, no friggen way.
Truck hasn’t seen the inside of a dealership since I figured it out. YouTube and a set of wrenches. A guy can figure it out, most of the time.
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You tube has been a blessing. Fixed the Wife's Air conditioning... was quoted close to $500 to fix a A/C door(actuator). A quick google to get an idea of what part i needed, and then youtube on how to replace it. All it ended up costing me was $40 for the part and about 30 minutes of my time.
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08-31-2023, 10:19 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stc77
You tube has been a blessing. Fixed the Wife's Air conditioning... was quoted close to $500 to fix a A/C door(actuator). A quick google to get an idea of what part i needed, and then youtube on how to replace it. All it ended up costing me was $40 for the part and about 30 minutes of my time.
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Yes, you tube been great, had to take my full dash and steering out of my F350 to replace a blend door actuator! You tubed it and found that ford put in two " hidden bolts " they hid them behind a rubber gromits on each side of the dash.
If it wasn't for you tube I would have thought the six bolts you can actually get at around the dash where the only ones, probably would have wrecked the dash trying to remove it.
Tommy
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09-01-2023, 04:36 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: in the woods , finally !
Posts: 1,445
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushleague
I've always found that removing your car from the auto shop's parking lot before you haggle over the bill tends to help. Theres been a few times that a disagreement over billing appears to be going nowhere until I mention... "Just so you know, all we're arguing over is the spare keys"... usually followed by a complete change of attitude.
Sure, if they really wanted to get a collections agency after me I'd have to pay what they want, but I think trying to collect on unpaid bills is more of a widespread problem with automotive shops than most people would think. If the conversation looks like its headed in that direction and the shop realizes they dont hold any collateral, they would generally rather trim the bill than get caught up in another unprofitable dispute.
I'm not saying that this is how business should be done in general, but in blatant examples like where the shop is billing for more hours than the vehicle was actually on the premises, or trying to bill for fixing damage that they caused... bring the spare keys and a buddy, play nice until the vehicle is gone, then start the negotiations.
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i would put a lean on your car immediately , if you agreed to the quoted price its your baby . But i own a small shop that is swamped because of fair pricing so then again since i'd have your address on file i might come take my parts back with a few buddies on stand by right at your house , then you can argue over a disabled car.
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09-01-2023, 10:48 AM
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,676
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coolpete1
i would put a lean on your car immediately , if you agreed to the quoted price its your baby . But i own a small shop that is swamped because of fair pricing so then again since i'd have your address on file i might come take my parts back with a few buddies on stand by right at your house , then you can argue over a disabled car.
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When I bring you a truck and tell you that its throwing missfire codes on cylinder's 6 and 8. Come back 6 hours later, I'm looking at a bill for 10 hours and all you can helpfully tell me is that its throwing missfire codes... I have agree'd to nothing.
When I bring a vehicle in because you have over torqued the lug nuts so badly that it needs to be taken to a welding shop and have the nuts gouged off and the studs replaced... and then you try to make me pay that bill... Likewise.
If you run an honest shop thats not something I would ever do, however, the minuet a shop starts acting like they've got me bent over a barrel because they have my vehicle, I dont play that game.
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If the good lord didnt want me to ride a four wheeler with no shirt on, then how come my nipples grow back after every wipeout?
Last edited by Bushleague; 09-01-2023 at 10:55 AM.
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09-01-2023, 04:54 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Banff
Posts: 62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushleague
When I bring you a truck and tell you that its throwing missfire codes on cylinder's 6 and 8. Come back 6 hours later, I'm looking at a bill for 10 hours and all you can helpfully tell me is that its throwing missfire codes... I have agree'd to nothing.
When I bring a vehicle in because you have over torqued the lug nuts so badly that it needs to be taken to a welding shop and have the nuts gouged off and the studs replaced... and then you try to make me pay that bill... Likewise.
If you run an honest shop thats not something I would ever do, however, the minuet a shop starts acting like they've got me bent over a barrel because they have my vehicle, I dont play that game.
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Do you consider that maybe 2 techs are working on it?
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08-31-2023, 07:23 AM
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Parkland County
Posts: 2,426
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You know what the very best solution is? Find an actual good, trustworthy mechanic to build a bit of a relationship with.
It’s why I post a thread occasionally if I need mechanic work for recommendations… profit isn’t a dirty word but there are a lot of shops out there who either don’t have a clue or are really trying to compete with their dentist on who has the higher markup.
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Bet the best when you know you got 'em.
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08-31-2023, 07:38 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: edmonton
Posts: 1,902
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My 16 corolla the water pump was leaking so Toyota gave me a quote 800 to change. They told me that it was better to have them do it i said im a licensed HD parts guy says but that is a car laughed and walked away. Ordered the part $45 installed in an hour. Rip off *****s.
The wifes 4 runner told her $2200 to do all four i but top on the line and installed for $1000 😂😂😂
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08-31-2023, 08:12 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 557
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One of my local mega sized ag dealers now charges an Ag Carbon Tax Surcharge fee on every line item on the repair bill if you hire their mechanics to do the work. They are physically showing you how they are stealing from you. It’s also not a set percentage. It’s like a random number they pull from the sky.
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08-31-2023, 02:07 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 4,099
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bezzola
The wifes 4 runner told her $2200 to do all four i but top on the line and installed for $1000 😂😂😂
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Needed shocks/struts for my 4Runner. Dealer parts and work was quoted around $3K (I don’t recall the exact number). Parts alone were around about $2,400. Installed bilstein myself for under $400. That was probably 6 years ago.
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08-31-2023, 04:19 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Alberta
Posts: 142
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bezzola
My 16 corolla the water pump was leaking so Toyota gave me a quote 800 to change. They told me that it was better to have them do it i said im a licensed HD parts guy says but that is a car laughed and walked away. Ordered the part $45 installed in an hour. Rip off *****s.
The wifes 4 runner told her $2200 to do all four i but top on the line and installed for $1000 😂😂😂
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Belt and Tension Idler Pulley on daughters 2006 Corolla. Parts were $76 at Warehouse Supply, took about a hour and no special tools. Quote at dealer was $965!!!
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08-31-2023, 05:24 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 4,339
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Anyone that actually goes to a dealer is a huge sucker...Unless under warranty, stay far away from stealerships!
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08-31-2023, 05:51 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,146
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The fact is most customers don’t even know on their automobile where the Dipstick is located. Dealers rely on this, just like common voter. Politicians rely on ignorance. Most of the population is busy with there own lives, no time to sit down digest, solve there personnel problems (family, finances, auto, politics). This where AO comes in for many. AO has correct answers for everything 😆🎯🎯🎯.
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09-03-2023, 07:45 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Morinville
Posts: 240
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I had a Toyota Venza that would randomly kill the battery. Was wifes vehicle and she drove it daily. One morning it was completely dead, so I had it towed to Mayfield Toyota. Told them I wanted to find the cause of killing the battery. Half a day later they tell me come and pick it up, service manager calls me over and says " we found the reason your car wont start is that it has a dead battery" I **** you not... was the start of a short relationship with them.
Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk
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