Garage bill was way too high
12-May-2008
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Garage bill was way too high

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Having just got back to my girlfriends house after a lengthy business meeting I looked over a repair bill from what I thought was a reputable car garage.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the final bill.  I've heard many tales of rip-off garages but I didn't think that I would be caught by one myself!

They had initially quoted £185 labour charges plus parts, which were for two rear axle bushes and two rear coil springs for a Volkswagen Golf MK4.  Now I understand that this isn't a two minute job by any means.  In fact I have friends who own garages and they advised me that with the right tools this kind of job should only take a couple of hours, three at the most.

Garage bill too high?

My gripe is that looking at the bill they had charged £48 for 1 coil spring (only one fitted) as opposed to £61.00 for two.  The two rear axle bushes were £55.00 (I know only cost £12 each max), £45 for a machine to press them out (what's that all about) and £50 for brake fluid!  Understandably you do sometimes have to bleed the brakes, but £50 for brake fluid is a bit much much in my opinion, it's not a formula one car for goodness sake!

Extra labour charges had been added...

The total bill came to over £440 in the end.  It was blindingly obvious to me that extra labour charges had been added to the parts list.  I could have gone and bought the parts is about £80 all in (two coil springs and two rear bushes) - NOT £195.00 (for only 1 spring).

Do these garages think we are all idiots?  As the garage owner said to me while throwing me out for simply asking for a breakdown of the invoice "You are not a competent mechanic are you...?"  Well I may not be, but I do know how much parts cost and I know when a garage is trying to rip me off!


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1 week ago a hired a Mobile Mechanics of Colorado Springs to replace my radiator. I was told the whole job would cost 438.00 with an extra twenty dollars to cover next day service. I agreed at that price. The mechanic then requested an up front payment, which he referred to as a deposit. I hardly call the total cost a deposit, but being the trusting person I am gave it to him and in return he couldn't give me a receipt because he didn't carry them with him. After that the man never called I had to call him. His excuse was always that the radiator wasn't in yet or they got the wrong one. After 5 days I was very irritated and demanded my money back, he guaranteed that he would find a radiator. the next day I called and the story was he bought a radiator, but it would be 208 dollars more. When I REQUESTED A RECEIPT ON how much the radiator cost he started calling me names and wanted to meet my boyfriend some where to kick his butt, he also called me a few choice words and told me to suck his ####. In the end the Police were called and he claimed that the radiator cost 400 dollars and he didn't owe me a cent. This man was unreal and I hope I can prevent someone else from going through the same thing.
*Billie Jo  04-Dec-2007 14:51

 
If you had a written quote and the 2 do not add up go back and complain to the garage, who can do something or the Trading Standards,

Your last statement sums it up a reputable garage wil rip you off and be nice about it.The other garages rip you off and throw you out.
*Troll Slayer  02-Dec-2007 12:37

 
Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough.
*mikevalesenior  27-Nov-2007 16:52


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