My driver's side door lock stopped working a while back. I finally decided to have it fixed while the dealership mechanic was performing some recall repairs. They gave me an initial estimate of $85 for repairing the lock. A few hours later, they called to tell me that they needed to replace the mechanism, and the part would arrive the next day. They told me the part would be an additional $118 on top of the original $85 labor charge, which I would be charged anyway, so I authorized that amount and they did the repair. When I went to pick up the car, I was being charged about $300!!! They didn't inform me about any other charges over the phone, but on the invoice I had a labor charge of $170! My question is, are they allowed to do this? I never would have authorized this amount because the car isn't worth much anyway. I feel like I was raped for an extra hundred bucks. I will never have work done at a dealership ever again!
2006-08-24 18:35:36 · 15 answers · asked by Chellebelle78 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I don't know where you are, but in California, we have a watchdog and regulatory agency called Bureau of Automotive Repair and it is administered by the Attorney General's office.
One of their primary directives is to investigate this very sort of complaint.
My recommendation is to gather ALL of the paperwork, including the written estimate you received before the work was done and file a complaint.
This shouldn't cost you anything, because you are already paying them with tax money.
Further, I recommend that while it is still fresh in your mind, take a few undistracted minutes and a cup of coffee and write down a narrative of events, including all conversations, noting the days and times (as close as you can remember) so that when you need to explain yourself to the investigator, you will have all your FACTS clear.
Remember, keep it to facts, not feelings. This will go a long way to buttressing your integrity.
Good Luck
2006-08-24 19:05:15 · answer #1 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes they're allowed to charge those high prices. Labor charges aren't avoidable, unless you know someone who works for a dealership & can service your car after hours at his or her home.
When I got my a/c in my Honda changed over last year, more than 1/2 the price was labor charges. I was appalled at the pricing as you are. I got a partial refund due to a clerical error with the appointment that was non-existent. I still spent almost $500. The second time the same dealer worked on my car a week later, the labor charges were the same, more than the parts themselves. This time, it was the blower motor for the a/c that went out. That cost me almost $500 again. The next high charge was when the passenger window in the rear went out. The part was $100, the labor was $300.
Certain repairs have to be done at the dealership due to environmental issues or recalls by the manufacturer. Locks are best done at the dealership so that you get the right one installed.
2006-08-24 18:47:27 · answer #2 · answered by Belle 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes you paid to much but on the other hand the extra labor charge was correct. The $85 was for the basic repair the other hundred was for the additional part they had to do. Lesson learned always ask about a repair to friends and relatives before taking it to any garage. True dealers cost more but sometimes its best to take your car to the dealer it depends. But use your available resources friends and relatives or Q&A and keep my email handy always bounce your issues off other to see the best way to do a repair like one person said you could have bought a complete door for that price.
2006-08-24 18:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know it's too late to tell you this, but you should never...ever..take your car to a dealership to have work done on it. Henry Ford once said that you could give cars away for free...because they'll have to come back for the repair's. (Not verbatim, mind you, but the jest of it). Any car repair shop can charge what they choose for labor. Parts are just the cost of parts, but labor is always separate. You got cheated, but unfortunately it is a legal cheat. You may try going to the owner of the dealership with your complaint (in the most civil way, of course) and see if he can't get you a discount on a few oil changes or something like that, but otherwise you'll have to think of it as an expensive lesson learned.
2006-08-24 18:45:39 · answer #4 · answered by Mary D 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I trust the final guy. whilst automobiles are traded in at a dealership, each and every so often they only get one key. i do no longer think of it particularly is a controversy of them protecting a key to come again get your vehicle except you acquire from a tote the notice lot. If this could be a franchise broker that arranged financing for you or you paid funds for the vehicle, they might care much less approximately you and your vehicle as long as they have their funds for it. using fact evidently like no one on the broker can arise with yet another key, you are going to be able to desire to circulate to a close-by Lexus broker and get yet another key made for the vehicle. The previous key and the hot key will might desire to be programmed together. If the reality that there is yet another key available makes your butt pucker, then circulate interior the direction of the rate of having all new keys and locks, yet you nonetheless might desire to circulate by using a Lexus service branch to try this so as that warranties are no longer voided using an outdoors vender messing with the electrical powered. sturdy luck!
2016-09-29 23:21:20 · answer #5 · answered by regula 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how long was the car in the shoppe?? sometimes they take their time repairing the vehicle on purpose to make money on labor. Where you in the waiting room while they were fixing it? check the sheet and see how many hours they put in.... then call the dealership and if you were someone else and ask how long it takes for them to fix a lock just to make sure. Hope this helped! good luck!
2006-08-24 18:41:15 · answer #6 · answered by Alex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dealerships cost alot at any rate. Labor charge is always huge, and unfortunately that sounds correct. My uncle is a mechanic and parts cost a butt load from the dealer and labor will rip you a new ********. That's why I live with it or fix it myself.
2006-08-24 18:41:30 · answer #7 · answered by Aaron M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not ALL dealerships are this way. i've worked in three in ten yrs and i would never do that. the are allowed to go over the estimate by 12% NOTHING MORE without auth first. call the Better Bussiness Bureu and the State Regulator Board and report them
2006-08-25 01:49:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So you didn't feel that you were informed about the extra $100. Next time, and there will be a next time, remind them that you want to be informed and understand what their hourly rate is. Always ask for them to show you the parts after completion.
2006-08-24 18:47:34 · answer #9 · answered by a 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my state (Ohio) the practice would be illegal. If you can document what you say and have extra time you might want to consult an attorney. There is a good possibility that it would not cost you anything and may put some $$ in your pocket.
2006-08-25 05:08:40 · answer #10 · answered by woodluvto 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋