Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Is $615 too much?

OK. Car won't start...get it towed to dealership, thinking the starter's gone bad (ever hear a stripped starter? that's what it sounded like). 1995 V6, auto. I find out later that it started fine in the shop, but kept stalling. The tech replaced the IAC motor and "R+R" throttle body, and cleaned out the EGR valve passage. Then he called me and recommended the fuel injector and t-body service because the engine's got carbon buildup. I get an invoice for $414 labor, $155 parts, and $39 misc charges.

Should I feel violated? If so, what recourse do I take?

It depends on what transpired during the conversation with the dealership. They cannot legally perform any work that requires you to pay out without your permission.

The parts costs seems within reason, however, the labor seems a bit high, although I have no idea what the labor rate is in Alexandria, VA.

If you told the service guy to "fix it" then I'm afraid that you may just have to suck it up and enjoy your repaired ride.

If you asked for an estimate, then they were legally bound too call you with what they found and the estimated repair costs.

Unfortunately, talking to the guys at repair/service centers is a lot like being on the witness stand in court. Speak carefully.

Good Luck,
David

Dave's right. I had this happen to me once. Blew out a ball joint and they wanted $100 for the joint plus almost $150 in labor. They also wanted me to buy a used tire (the old one blew out after I drove with the control arm rubbing on the rim to the garage.
Long story short, they replaced it after I specifically said that I wanted an estimate first. At least then I could have gotten a ball joint for less than $100! Anyway, I threatened with legal action when they called a week later telling me it was done. I drove away and only paid the shop's cost for the joint.

I never go there again.


However, if you said "just fix it" you're pretty much stuck unless they gave you an estimate before working on it and they went over that.

Did you sign anything when you got it to the dealer??? If you signed anything like a work order that gave a description of the problem then you are more or less (in their eyes)are telling them to fix it! Plus, labor is VERY expensive at the dealer. Every time I've had work done it's always worked out to around $50/hr!! Don't know about misc. charges but there is usually some kind of a shop disposal fee tacked in somewhere. I just had mine in yesterday for a burnt up park sensor and was charged $38 for the part and $195 for 4 hrs of labor but I won't complain because they did 2 recalls while it was in there and even cleaned it up good and did it all in 6 hours.
BTW, I DID tell them to fix it!

Yep...basically, I'm just gonna have to deal with it, I guess. Having the car delivered via tow truck and saying "it's not turning over, please make it work" doesn't leave me much room for negotiation. I did ask for an estimate, but that was when I thought the starter was the problem. Yay me. Thanks, folks.