I asked about balljoints for a chevy blazer?

Question

About 3 wks ago I asked about balljoints on the blazer and my mechanic said $1000, the few answers I got you guys told me to go elsewhere; well I did and 2 different people told me it didn't need them. I'm pissed that some guy thinks I should pay him $1000 so he can get that BMW he's been wanting. Anyone care to share their experiences w/ cars?

He didn't tell me what I wanted to hear I didn't tell him I went to another mechanic so don't get so uptight. I've had cars many years and have been at the mercy of some guy who knows I don't know anything about cars more than once. If you're trying to say every mechanic is honest then you're living in a box

I can't believe how offended you're getting. I 'm not asking anyone to work on my car for free I'm asking not to pay for work that isn't need. That is what I was talking about. I will gladly pay to have my car repaired so long as it needs the repairs. I am at your mercy and you know it.

Answer 1

WOW!!!!!! Everybody needs to chill out.I understand both sides here and think that there has been some misunderstandings here.I am sure that this woman wouldn't ask anyone to work on her vehicle for free,being that she does not know about cars,she feels like she is wide open to get taken advantage of and is trying to guard against this.
You are certified mechanics with a large investment in your future and should be paid top wages for the job you do.
We all know that there are thieves out there,just like the people that try to rip you off by not paying for your service,maybe she ran into a few thieves herself.
I hope her vehicle gets repaired and nobody gets ripped off.

Answer 2

I agree with VWHOBO.

I too am a mechanic and have quoted that same job for a vehicle just like yours at just under a thousand dollars for parts and labor. Either find a different mechanic or fix it yourself.

Some of you think that mechanics get rich off of you, but you are gravely mistaken. You try buying the tools, learning new technology constantly, keeping licenses and certifications current, and getting accused of being a cheat and liar for trying to do a good job for a decent wage.

If we tell you something you don't like, we are wrong and are ripping you off. If we don't do anything for you for free, we are still wrong and ripping you off. I know very few, if any mechanics that drive a BMW ( I fixed them and wouldnt own one) let alone a new vehicle. If you do not like dealing with mechanics, sell your car and get a bicycle. Cars break, someone has to fix them. Unless you want to learn how, don't *****. If you know the guy is ripping you off, why do you go back? You are just perpetuating your own complaint. Then you stereotype others for your own stupidity. Sounds like you are full of something, and it is not "common sense".
I hope you get your car fixed. I also hope that you get fairly charged for the service and repairs that you recieve. I also hope that they find a few other things wrong with your car so that you can pay even more to have them repaired too.
I have never worked at shop, or ever repaired a vehicle without the owner's consent. So how is that ripping someone off if they give you permission to order the parts and do the repairs? Believe me, if I didn' t think you were going to pay for parts or my time to work on your car, I would roll it right out the door in the same condition it came in as. Do you work for free at your job?

Didn't think so...

Answer 3

Yeah, let me share one of my experiences. I'm one of those guys who you think charges too much money so I can buy a BMW. My diagnosis and prices have nothing to do with the fact that I produce first class work, am an ASE certified Master Technician and have been for the better part of 30 years along with enough other certificates and diplomas to wallpaper a small house, I spend thousands of dollars a year to not only maintain my current level of knowledge but to keep up with the latest technology and spend tens of thousands of dollars a year to update equipment so I can work on the newest models of cars with the utmost competence. Nope, the only reason I'd ever shoot down someone's ball joints is so I can get my wife that new fur coat she's been looking at. Now back to reality.

Just a few months ago, a brother of a long time customer brought me his Chevy truck at the recommendation of his brother. The vehicle had come in for some brake work, and while it was on the lift my brake tech performed our normal courtesy safety inspection and annotated among other things that the ball joints... all four of them... were extremely worn to the point of being dangerous.

Well, anytime I see that I get involved and did a follow-up inspection to confirm or deny his findings before calling the customer. Sure enough, the ball joints were nearly as bad as any I've seen in over 30 years of doing this professionally.

So I called to gentleman and talked to him about the driving characteristics of his truck. He told me that it seemed to drive okay but sometimes made a "clunk" noise, but that was nothing an alignment wouldn't cure. I told him otherwise. I explained what was worn on his front end and detailed what it would take to repair it. I also offered him the complete out the door price including the alignment. He said finish the brakes and he'll come pick it up.

When he came to get the truck I again explained to him the situation and the importance of getting it repaired soon. After all, this IS a safety issue. I heard from him again a few days later. Over the phone at the top of his lungs he called me every name in the book. Said me and my employees ar totally incompetent and were trying to rip him off. He had gone to three different "shops" including the local Chevy dealer and they all said his front end was fine. The last one even did the alignment for him. And we would never see another penny of his money.

Two weeks later I got a frantic call from his brother wanting to know why I didn't "fix his truck" right. I has no idea what he meant. Well the story goes like this. He was traveling along I-20 at about 80 mph when he came across a construction site. There was some kind of minor rut in the roadway and when he hit it with the right front tire (the side we said was the worst), the right lower ball joint gave up. The ball stud pulled right out of the socket. Of course he lost all steering control, hit a construction vehicle, almost hit two workers and slammed into the gaurdrail on an overpass. No he didn't go over but apparently he came close.

So tell me. Who was concerned with making some money by telling a customer what they wanted to hear, and who was trying to do the best job possible for his customer regarless of outcome for him?

P.S. My wife is still waiting for her fur coat.

Answer 4

What year is your blazer? Is it worth fixing?
Dear Lady the answers that are being provided to you are not to be little you or take advantage of you. They are merely suggestions and opinions. I would take my car to a mechanic I trust and see what he says. I hope you fixed your car because it is a safety issue and if the ball joints go you will have serious issues.
Whobo is absolutly right on this. Get it fixed.

Answer 5

Totally need another mechanic! For inspections and the like, I always go to big chain stores like Sears, or Tires Plus or something. Also make sure that anyone you pay to repair your car is an A.S.E certified mechanic.(Automotive.Service.Excelence)