I broke the belt in my 91 saab 9000s. They put in a belt tensioner ($216) a belt shock ($154) a pulley ($59) and the belt ($84). With labor, a bill of $967 seems ridiculous. Yes, they showed me some broken pulleys, but they didn't show me the belt shock or belt tensioner. I don't even know if these were necessary, but he installed them. Plus, they NEVER called to tell me how much it was going to cost before they did the work and never answered the phone when I called them. Am I getting scammed?
2007-02-26 04:20:03 · 8 answers · asked by agarovoy 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I'm not sure what a belt shock is... though we don't get many 91 Saab's in my shop anymore.
The parts may all well have been needed - I didn't inspect the vehicle so I don't kow. But if you never gave prior authorization for the repairs, were never told what was needed or how much it was going to cost before the work was done, then there is a real problem. I would at least use that as a negotiating point. Of course, if you have already paid for and picked up the vehicle, its probably too late.
2007-02-26 04:30:13 · answer #1 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Once a belt tensioner breaks, the belt becomes toast, there isn't enough of it left to show you. Did you ask for an estimate when you dropped it off? If yes, did you ask them to call if it went over the estimate? If you just had it towed there, and said "Fix it" then there was no reason for them to call before doing the work.
Generally, mechanics don't mark up parts, there is no need to. All parts come with a retail price (what the public pays) and a wholesale price (what we pay for them).
As far as labor, somewhere on the wall you will find both their license to operate as a repair shop, and the hourly labor rate they charge. You take the number of hours the job takes according to the book, and multiply by the rate to get labor costs. It's also common to add tax on parts, and a shop supply charge as a percentage of the total bill.
If you have any questions about the bill, start by asking the shop that did the work. I'm sure they would be happy to explain the cost break down on your repair.
2007-02-26 12:32:22 · answer #2 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The average mechanic gets paid $85 an hour. Yes it's high they know they got us. Parts can be marked up as much as they want too. But if you didn't sign anything stating that you verbally or hand written agreed to pay that price I would threaten to call the BBB and call a couple news stations and an attorney. You didn't agree on a price. Don't let them take advantage of you.
2007-03-02 11:05:54 · answer #3 · answered by ingallbells 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard to say. The mechanic may be trying to pad the bill a little, but by the same token, he doesn't want you to break down again. The spring in the tensioner may get weak, and shocks wear. I'm sure he has your best interest at heart. If you feel like he's taking advantage, then go to another repair place that you trust.
2007-02-26 12:27:17 · answer #4 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO!! you have an old car these things need to be replaced every 10 years in this type of car. The labor alone for this is insanely expensive because of the intricate design of the engine, it is not an easy car to work on. Its cheaper that they put these things on with the belt change because the labor is soo expensive, these things WILL break if you don't replace them every 10 years, be happy you didn't wreck your engine when you snapped that belt!
2007-02-26 12:36:46 · answer #5 · answered by musicman70913 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
check out http://scamsbeware.com - consumer resource center. all kinds of scam info there, there's also a forum where u can keep up to date on current and future scams. And if u have any questions just post it in the forum and somebody out there should help u. http://scamsbeware.com/forum Best of all it's FREE 2 join, just register at the top it'll be worth it for u to keep up 2 date on scams/fraud. Hope this helps.
2007-03-01 11:03:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sorta sounds like it. I'm not sure the laws regarding this type of action but any responsible retailer of any type of product should contact you and consult you on all prices and work types to be done prior to actually doing it. As a consumer you have the right to know all of these things ahead of time.
2007-02-26 12:44:35 · answer #7 · answered by Zack 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
by law they must give you a written, or oral estimate not to be exceeded by 10% or $10.00 before repairs are done on your vehicle. this is federal law. if you were not notified of the repairs cost & they just fixed it without an estimate given to you they just violated one of you rights.
The estimate of almost $500+ in labor is pretty high. even for the area im in.
2007-02-26 12:36:41 · answer #8 · answered by JASON D 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋