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CEG\'er
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My fuel pump died near Chicago on Friday evening, about 140 miles away from home. I had it towed to a garage that the tow truck driver recommended (probably a mistake, but I didnt know any garages in the area), and I got a call today saying it was fixed.
The mechanic said that they had to diagnose it, replace the pump, and then replace a bad wire (which they probably broke when changing the pump). With that and towing it came to freaking $900!!
I called the Ford dealer, they would have charged $458. Assuming $100 for towing, that would've been about $550.
I'm obviously not in a very good position to raise hell and/or refuse to pay while they still have my car.. Any suggestions for what I can do?
'99 Contour Sport V6 MTX
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,854
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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1999 Silver Frost SVT
#609 of 2760
Quaife, lightened SVT Flywheel, SPEC stage II clutch, removed resonator, k&n drop in - various other goodies too.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,106
Addicted CEG\'er
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Addicted CEG\'er
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Yeah, tell them to go [censored for children] themselves!! They didn't give you any sort of an estimate? Did you tell them to fix it no matter what, and you'll deal with the bill? They never told you that it'd be over $900?
Mark
2000 Black CSVT
3.0L Hybrid - 206fwhp & 195fwtq
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 301
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Originally posted by Y2KSVT:
Yeah, tell them to go [censored for children] themselves!! They didn't give you any sort of an estimate? Did you tell them to fix it no matter what, and you'll deal with the bill? They never told you that it'd be over $900?
Mark
I was told the fuel pump assembly would be $280 (Ford quoted me $270 so that's not too out of line), and that it would be about 4 hours labor. That seemed a bit excessive for someone with experience and a lift to change the pump, but I authorized it. When I talked to the guy today, he said that they also had to replace a damaged wire which was shorted and kept blowing fuses after they replaced the pump (never had this problem before), and that added another hour of labor.
I'm going to look at the invoice when I go to pick up the car and have the guy give an explanation for every charge. Beyond that I'm not sure what I can do before I pay for the repairs, since the [censored] has my car.
Right now my plan is to pay it, getting a few written estimates from the local Ford dealer and other mechanics, averaging the prices, and ask for a refund of the difference. Failing that, I'll take him to small claims court.
'99 Contour Sport V6 MTX
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 93
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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About your only hope on this is if you didn't actually sign the work order in advance...or if you checkmarked *call with estimate* and they didn't call to let you know what the price would be.
If you just said fix it, looks like they can just act dumb and shrug their shoulders until you pay their price.
The last thing you want to do, at this point, is to bring in estimates, trying to shame/threaten them...maybe just give them a sad story and try haggling with them?
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5 hours labor (at $65/hr) = $325. plus the $280 = $605
~Andrew
2001 VW Jetta Wolfsburg Edition
20 valves of fury
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Even at $70/hr. for labor, 5 hours of labor is $350.00. Add that to the $280.00 for the fuel pump, and you're sitting at $630.00..
But like I asked, did you authorize them to fix the problem and you would pay for it, or did you just bypass the whole estimate??
Mark
2000 Black CSVT
3.0L Hybrid - 206fwhp & 195fwtq
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2000
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You're getting hosed! Tell them you're not paying. A wire huh? What "wire" would that be and did they replace it all through the wiring harness?  BS!
-'96 SE MTX 3L
-'98 SVT 1,173 of 6,535
-'05 Mazda 6s, loaded, g/f's ride
-Need a 96-00 manual on CD? PM or email me
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CEG\'er
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I just read your latest reply and I'll just wish you good luck with the outcome.
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Originally posted by todras:
You're getting hosed! Tell them you're not paying. A wire huh? What "wire" would that be and did they replace it all through the wiring harness? BS!
What todd said - they would have to replace the entire fuel wiring harness. Bunch of BS in order to gouge you.
Don't pay it!!
2000 SVT Turbo 295hp/269ftlb@12psi
#1 for Bendix Brakes Kits!
Knuckles rebuilt w/new bearings $55
AUSSIE ENDLINKS $70
Gutted pre-cats $80/set
A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine!
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