Dishonest auto repair shops..

[CliffnDallas]

The average person with a broken car is at the mercy of sharks with greasy hands. I took my car in to a local shop because the AC has stopped working, and to get an oil change. The guy called me back and showed me that a rock was lodged in the condenser and it had leaked the freon out.
He then said I would need a new one and it would cost $300.00 just for the part, plus labor. I thanked him and left. A condencer for my car on line is from $72-$94.00.

Going to buy one on line and take to a shop I know in Arkansas at the end of the month and have it installed. Instalation plus evacuating and refilling the AC system should be around $200.00 or less. I hate thieves...

 

[big dog cowboy]

That happens in all lines of work. The average person has to be mindful of that as they navagate thru life.

 

[Jon88]

Yep. They think everyone they see is ignorant on auto repair and try to take them to the cleaners.

A lot of them - not all.

 

[basstapp]

I mean I dont see any reason why they should not do it. Its there field of experience just like a web designer can charge you 2 grand for a website or 100 dollars for a website. It sucks when they do it, but you have to price compare everything

 

[YosemiteSam]

The average person with a broken car is at the mercy of sharks with greasy hands. I took my car in to a local shop because the AC has stopped working, and to get an oil change. The guy called me back and showed me that a rock was lodged in the condenser and it had leaked the freon out.
He then said I would need a new one and it would cost $300.00 just for the part, plus labor. I thanked him and left. A condencer for my car on line is from $72-$94.00.

Going to buy one on line and take to a shop I know in Arkansas at the end of the month and have it installed. Instalation plus evacuating and refilling the AC system should be around $200.00 or less. I hate thieves...

I had a guy tell me I needed to turn down my rotor and I told him no I didn't, just finish the job. (I knew there was nothing wrong with it) A couple of weeks later I start hearing some grinding from down there. I took it to someone else (the other guy was a ****) and they said that the protective covering had been cut open intentionally allowing water, dirt and other stuff in. They said the reason they knew it was intentionally was the fact that it was a "clean cut" like a knife would make rather than something wear or stress might cause. They said it was most likely the last person that worked on it although it doesn't mean someone didn't crawl under there and do it. (just not as likely)

I was so angry at that moment, that I easily could have killed. It was definitely a good thing my wife force me to give my gun away after we got married.

 

[Yeagermeister]

There is only one car repair place I trust, besides the dealer and I don't really trust them, and he's a family friend. He has his own body shop also. When my wife had her bad wreck the tow truck guy asked me where to take her car and without hesitation I said to take it there. He not only saved us money on the repairs but fixed some previous shoddy work done to it.

 

[CliffnDallas]

I just called the shop in Barling, and to install the new condencer. Flush the AC system and refill it with freon will be...$150.00.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

We take our cars to Junior. The guys name is Junior and he pretty much fits the stereotype of a backwoods mechanic. Grease/oil covered, overhauls, wv backwoods twang in his voice plus the added ambiance of a cheek full of chewing tobacco. But he never over charges for labor. Actually normally give him a tip because the price is so reasonable.

On the down side...if the car has some newer electronics or has to be hooked up to the machine to connect to the cars computer to find out what a problem is...well Junior does not have the machine.

It is at this time you learn to appreciate Junior even more. Because hooking up to the machine at the dealership is $50 by itself. That is just to see what the machine says is the problem. Does not include labor or parts. Of course the dealer ship will over charge for the parts and the amount of money they charge on labor for a couple of hours would be the same as paying Junior to change the brakes, oil filter, fan belts, spark plugs and a bunch of other things...multiple times.

So for the most part Junior fixes the car and he gets a tip because he does not over charge for parts or labor. I only take it to the dealer when I have no other choice.

 

[Duane]

Just had a pool repairman that was recommended to me quote replacing a filter. He has a nice 100% markup on the filter from what I can buy it online for. I'm sure he can get it for less than that if he's buying wholesale.

Never trust anyone you don't know completely when it comes to matters with money.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Just had a pool repairman that was recommended to me quote replacing a filter. He has a nice 100% markup on the filter from what I can buy it online for. I'm sure he can get it for less than that if he's buying wholesale.

Never trust anyone you don't know completely when it comes to matters with money.

Yep and when you do find someone that does a good job at a good rate, you try to stick with them even if they raise rates somewhat down the road.

I know there are some car dealerships in our area that will not let you in the garage area where they do the repairs. They do this so they can charge you for 2-3 hours labor when all they did was replace a part that took 10-15 minutes.

 

[burmafrd]

dealerships are just about the most expensive place to go. Frankly I say use Midas, JiffyLube, etc for whatever you need. You will generally get better and more honest service at big chains because they can be hurt by bad stories. The local guys never have to worry about that. You can get shafted anywhere anytime but you have to play the percentages.

 

[Yeagermeister]

We take our cars to Junior. The guys name is Junior and he pretty much fits the stereotype of a backwoods mechanic. Grease/oil covered, overhauls, wv backwoods twang in his voice plus the added ambiance of a cheek full of chewing tobacco. But he never over charges for labor. Actually normally give him a tip because the price is so reasonable.

On the down side...if the car has some newer electronics or has to be hooked up to the machine to connect to the cars computer to find out what a problem is...well Junior does not have the machine.

It is at this time you learn to appreciate Junior even more. Because hooking up to the machine at the dealership is $50 by itself. That is just to see what the machine says is the problem. Does not include labor or parts. Of course the dealer ship will over charge for the parts and the amount of money they charge on labor for a couple of hours would be the same as paying Junior to change the brakes, oil filter, fan belts, spark plugs and a bunch of other things...multiple times.

So for the most part Junior fixes the car and he gets a tip because he does not over charge for parts or labor. I only take it to the dealer when I have no other choice.

Do you tip him with moonshine? :laugh2:

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Do you tip him with moonshine? :laugh2:

No...he has that in his garage...he drinks it and cleans engine parts with it.:laugh2:

Guy makes you laugh, reminds you of a skinny cooter from the dukes of hazard show. But he is a good guy who does honest work for an honest rate.

 

[jimmy40]

Going to buy one on line and take to a shop I know in Arkansas at the end of the month and have it installed. Instalation plus evacuating and refilling the AC system should be around $200.00 or less. I hate thieves...

your going without AC for a month?

 

[CliffnDallas]

your going without AC for a month?

Yup. But I work at night and I open the window and moon roof so it's tolerable.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

your going without AC for a month?

Real men can drive without AC for a month or longer.

 

[jimmy40]

I know there are some car dealerships in our area that will not let you in the garage area where they do the repairs. They do this so they can charge you for 2-3 hours labor when all they did was replace a part that took 10-15 minutes.

I've never dealt with a dealership that didn't have an hours per repair "book" to go by. The problem is did all the parts really need replacing. As far as not letting customers into a work area what business lets customers hang out there?

 

[jimmy40]

Real men can drive without AC for a month or longer.

Just call me Nancy.

 

[CliffnDallas]

Just call me Nancy.

Okay...Nancy.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I've never dealt with a dealership that didn't have an hours per repair "book" to go by. The problem is did all the parts really need replacing. As far as not letting customers into a work area what business lets customers hang out there?

If I want to hang out and talk with Junior, the mechanic I normally use, he will let me stay right there in the garage without a problem. If it is a quick fix I will stay there or just right outside the garage but still within site. If it is going to take longer than I drop the car off and come back.

I also don't have to worry about him charging some outrageous price for labor or parts. Heck he says what is wrong and what parts he needs. If I want I can go buy the parts from a parts store and bring them to him or he will go get them at the same price I paid without a markup.

You really do learn to appreciate some things when you are forced to go elsewhere at times.