$450 for an alternator, parts, labor, and tax - i got ripped off right?

Question

The car is a 97' Ford Escort

thanks for you thoughts

Answer 1

It does sound a bit expensive, But you didn't mention where you took it. The Ford dealer will charge more than an independent shop.
It is always a good idea to get a written estimate before agreeing to any work.

Answer 2

Well, I just changed the alternator on my '94 GMC Yukon last week. The alternator cost me $79 with exchange (returning the old one to the auto parts store) with a 3 year warranty on the replacement alternator. It took me about 45 minutes to change it, plus I installed a new serpentine belt while I was in there. My total parts outlay was $115, plus my less than an hour labor. What you have to remember is that at a repair shop, especially at a dealership, all repairs are priced by 'book', which means they allocate a certain amount of time for a certain repair, regardless of how long it actually took the mechanic to do the job. I don't know how much 'book' time they allocate for your vehicles alternator replacement. And, I'm sure they charged you a fairly high price for the part too. Basically, the price they charged you doesn't seem out of the realm of reality for a dealership to charge for the repair, but it is much higher than if you did it yourself, which is why us 'shade tree' mechanics do most of our repairs ourselves.

Answer 3

simply put, no. take a look at the break down of the service. te part is no doubt expensive, 206 for an alternator on a '90 civic.
then there is labor, the guy doing the work is not the only one working on the car, you also have the service writer, you have the gut mannibg the parts counter, etc. my big question is this, is your problem gone? if yes, i guess it is ok to have a sore wallet if you can drive to work again.

Answer 4

Some alternators are surprisingly expensive. You will have warranty on both parts and labour, and, depending on the supplier, may have roadside assistance included The last alternator I had to purchase was close to $400, but included 2 years parts and labour, and 2 years roadside assistance, none of which I had to avail myself of thank goodness.

Answer 5

mmmm. Even at first thought you did, I find that the replacement alternator alone sell for $256.79. (remanufactured). other parts and supplies, plus labor is not far from what you paid. A shade tree mechanic would probably be a bit cheaper but not a lot.

Answer 6

Not necessarily. What parts? What job had to be done? A bit more detail would be helpful. Did you drive it in, or have it towed in? What was wrong? What did the shop do? Did you get an estimate? Did you approve any work done? What were you told?

Answer 7

****, that water pump replaced into intense priced. yet you probably did not get ripped off. even if, anytime you do a timing belt pastime, you need to do each and each of the seals to boot, that you probably did not. If the cam shaft seal or crank shaft seal starts leaking oil, your gonna could pay a mechanic to bypass decrease back in there for yet another $three hundred by difficult paintings, somewhat than in case you in straightforward words did the seals even as doing the timing belt it ought to have value $40 reason its down there next to the timing belt.

Answer 8

ah, that's not too bad. I guess. Alot of the answers are good,Dealers always take it to you anyway. even when your buying a new car. I just rebuild my alts, it runs about 15 to 20 bucks for the kit and about an hour of my time total.

Answer 9

maters where you take it. the alt probably cost around 80-100 bucks. but the mark up price was probably 150-250. i would seek out a good mechanic that is reasonable. but back to your question. i would say you got ripped off. better luck nextime

Answer 10

I don't think so. I had the same work done, plus a transmission filter and fluid change, a lube and oil, plus a new battery and battery cables for $ 750.00. I don't think you got ripped off.
Car repairs cost a lot,don't they?????