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Mother @#$@#$$#% rip off mechanics!


peepinmofo
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So this morning, I wake up, go to the gym, and come home. Everything is just fine. I get ready for work, and get in my car, and its shaky. REAL shaky. So I call the dealership and drop it off. 2 hours later they call me and tell me the following:

 

- Bad spark plug (probably just came out).

- Intake manifold leak

- Ignition coil is bad

 

Tells me itll cost 670.00!!! I told him to forget all that and just fix the plug as thats what I feel is the only issue. Im taking it to another guy on Monday, one that I trust.

 

Anyway, I hate dealerships and most mechanics in general. They suck the big one.

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The wife had a little mishap on the ice the other day. She took it our car to a dealership body shop accross the street from where she works. I take it to the local guy that I know and does better work. The local guy was $600less. Dealership $1489 my guy $850. :D

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Having one of my best friends as a mechanic has saved me literally thousands of dollars over the last 20 years.

 

 

I had a friend that used to do auto work, and he fixed my car for me when I had a blown head gasket. Know what happened several weeks later? It blew again because he didnt check the head which turned out to be cracked.

 

His excuse was, "you just asked me to fix the gasket."

 

As it turns out, from people I asked, EVERY time you replace a head gasket, you check the heads for cracks. I think that cost me about 1500 once all was said and done as I had to take it to a real mechanic.

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I had a friend that used to do auto work, and he fixed my car for me when I had a blown head gasket. Know what happened several weeks later? It blew again because he didnt check the head which turned out to be cracked.

 

His excuse was, "you just asked me to fix the gasket."

 

As it turns out, from people I asked, EVERY time you replace a head gasket, you check the heads for cracks. I think that cost me about 1500 once all was said and done as I had to take it to a real mechanic.

 

 

:D Well, in my case my friend is a real mechanic by trade, not just a budddy that's good with cars. So, luckily I wouldn't be put in that VERY awkward position.

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:D Well, in my case my friend is a real mechanic by trade, not just a budddy that's good with cars. So, luckily I wouldn't be put in that VERY awkward position.

 

 

Ya well I was young. I think that all happened when I was like 18 or 19. I can fix a computer any day of the week, but when it comes to cars, Im useless for the most part.

Edited by peepinmofo
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Radiator replacement from my dealer on my old Isuzu... $850.

 

Radiator replacement from local repair shop on same vehicle... $350.

 

I would only ever go to a dealership if my car was under warrantee and wouldn't cost me anything.

 

I specifically remember an incident when I brought my Suzuki to the dealer for a scheduled maintenance. I had recently swapped on the spare tire (by myself, Puddy), and the spare had a puncture hole. They asked me if I wanted it fixed, and I said... "Well, Big O Tire will repair it for me for free." and they answered "We can do that."

 

Then they charged me $17 to fix it. I tried to get them to take it off my bill, and they told me that they couldn't. I blew off the rest of the scheduled maintenance on that car and they didn't see me again until the lease return.

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I specifically remember an incident when I brought my Suzuki to the dealer for a scheduled maintenance. I had recently swapped on the spare tire (by myself, Puddy), and the spare had a puncture hole.

 

 

:D

 

We've got mechanical aptitude bravado coming from a Suzuki owner... that's irony penalty of fifteen yards and a loss of respect.

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:D

 

We've got mechanical aptitude bravado coming from a Suzuki owner... that's irony penalty of fifteen yards and a loss of respect.

 

 

Cheapest 4WD I could find. It served it's purpose for a 5 year lease. Also, it's engine was specifically designed to keep me from getting speeding tickets... which was a big bonus for me.

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Dealership service departments are hugh ripoffs! If you need a new transmission they go by billable hours which are around 9 hours. My friend can do it in about 4.5 hours and is able to bill the full 9 hours, so do two a day and get paid 18 hours! More power to him and the service writer that gets paid on this!

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Here's a tip...

 

Dealers, while they will try to get you for the list price, will negotiate service prices. Tell them what they are asking for is too much, and they will work on it. It's like buying a car. They have to pay the mechanics if you have your car fixed there or someplace else, so they are generally flexible.

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Here's a tip...

 

Dealers, while they will try to get you for the list price, will negotiate service prices. Tell them what they are asking for is too much, and they will work on it. It's like buying a car. They have to pay the mechanics if you have your car fixed there or someplace else, so they are generally flexible.

 

Tried this. I told them I can go elsewhere cheaper, and the guy just said "ok".

 

This is the LAST time I will go here, especially when on Monday, as I expect, the mechanic will tell me it isnt anything major.

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Took my daughter's car to a Chevy dealership because the Check Engine light was on. This is usually associated with emission issues. They did the diagnostic and said it was new plugs and cables that were required.

 

Cost.....$450!!!

 

F you, said I, and off I went to buy the plugs and cables. Got the best available, cost about $46 altogether and spent an hour switching out the old ones. Car runs perfectly.

 

Dealerships are a friggin' ripoff.

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I bought my car new, and I take it to the dealership for all maintenance. All of the work that they do on the car is kept in their computer. The manufacturer regularly issues service upgrade notices, and the result of that is that parts are replaced with improved/upgraded parts, and design issues are taken care of, promptly and at no cost to me. (Last time they put in a new batter and starter). If something is screwed up, they would be responsible as they are the only people who touch my car. They only use genuine manufacturer parts. They give me a free loaner if the car is in the shop for more than one day.

 

I'll pay for that, and the piece of mind that comes with it.

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I just took my VW in because the check engine light was on. Local mechanic spent a few days researching it and working on it, then figured out it was a VW recall two years ago. He took it to the VW dealer for me, had them fix it and only charged me the $120 they charged him. He did the brakes and monthly inspection also, so he made his money. I just thought it was cool of him to not charge me for driving up there and having them upgrade the computer.

 

He also let me drive his awsome 1988 Jetta three weeks ago. 177,000 miles on it, and my 35 mile trip to work only added like 12 miles to it, so it' got more than that.

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Having one of my best friends as a mechanic has saved me literally thousands of dollars over the last 20 years.

 

Having myself as my own mechanic has saved me literally thousands of dollars over the past few years. A friend of mine takes his truck in to the dealer for regular oil changes for somewhere around $40/change. I do it for about 1/4 that and don't take an afternoon to get it done.

 

I bought my car new, and I take it to the dealership for all maintenance. All of the work that they do on the car is kept in their computer. The manufacturer regularly issues service upgrade notices, and the result of that is that parts are replaced with improved/upgraded parts, and design issues are taken care of, promptly and at no cost to me. (Last time they put in a new batter and starter). If something is screwed up, they would be responsible as they are the only people who touch my car. They only use genuine manufacturer parts. They give me a free loaner if the car is in the shop for more than one day.

 

I'll pay for that, and the piece of mind that comes with it.

 

If it's under warranty or it's under a recall, they will replace it free. They aren't going to tear down your engine to replace a redesigned head gasket without the old one actually being bad. Any reputable repair shop that screws up is going to fix the issue. If you go to a shop that doesn't take responsibility for their mistakes, you are going to the wrong shop.
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Aw Red......that makes me nostalgic. We had VWs growing up. My Dad had original Bugs....then a bright orange Beetle....lol. The first car I ever lusted for (before I was 16 with a drivers' license) was this beautiful white convertible Bug with white leather interior and a Porsche engine. *sigh*

 

We had a couple Jettas along the way....the last VW was a Passat. My first car was a Scirocco....my next car was a Rabbit. But along the way....I found the most wonderful VW/Audi mechanic in the city. The most honest, hard-working guy in the city I believe. I considered never driving anything but a VW the rest of my life JUST to have him as my mechanic.

 

The last time I saw him, I'd donated my VW Fox to him to fix up for an OSU student down on his luck. Mike looked like he was working 18 hour days and needed a month long vacation on a beach somewhere. Probably the hardest working person I have ever met.

 

You're right though...I don't think I'd ever take a car to a dealer ever again.

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Having myself as my own mechanic has saved me literally thousands of dollars over the past few years. A friend of mine takes his truck in to the dealer for regular oil changes for somewhere around $40/change. I do it for about 1/4 that and don't take an afternoon to get it done.

 

If it's under warranty or it's under a recall, they will replace it free. They aren't going to tear down your engine to replace a redesigned head gasket without the old one actually being bad. Any reputable repair shop that screws up is going to fix the issue. If you go to a shop that doesn't take responsibility for their mistakes, you are going to the wrong shop.

 

 

Well, I paid about $200 for a lifetime oil change which has just about paid for itself.

 

My point is, my mechanics get daily bulletins from the manufacturer. (Maybe Joe down the street does too and I'm just ign'int.) And since they do all the work, they can't blame someone else if something gets screwed up, or something happens like a part is wearing prematurely.

 

I guess that if I kept my car long enough that the transmission goes or the like, then I might shop around for a deal. But I know my tech, his guys are specialists with the make of my car (which is somewhat exotic), and when I needed something done out of the ordinary (a clutch) the cost of replacement was compatible with a couple other places that I called for estimates (for negotiation purposes if necessary) . I get a call from my tech the following day asking if everything is fine. They'll shuttle me to and from work.

 

Maybe the service department at my dealership is out of the ordinary. At the moment, I wouldn't consider going anywhere else.

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Meh, my local Honda dealer is cheaper on some things than a mechanic, more expensive on others.

 

If its just some regular maintenance, the local mechanic is good for me. Tune ups, brakes, etc. are fine for them. If its something screwy or check engine light related, I go to the dealer.

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Brother in law is a mechanic. saved me tons of money.

great part is his boss lets me pay his cost (they get a nice discount on parts) for the parts and then my brother in law will do the work for free but I always find ways to compensate him. His family has eaten an awful lot of meals at my house and when we go on vacation, I always pick up the tab in the restaurants.

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So this morning, I wake up, go to the gym, and come home. Everything is just fine. I get ready for work, and get in my car, and its shaky. REAL shaky. So I call the dealership and drop it off. 2 hours later they call me and tell me the following:

 

- Bad spark plug (probably just came out).

- Intake manifold leak

- Ignition coil is bad

 

Tells me itll cost 670.00!!! I told him to forget all that and just fix the plug as thats what I feel is the only issue. Im taking it to another guy on Monday, one that I trust.

 

Anyway, I hate dealerships and most mechanics in general. They suck the big one.

 

Puddy will be along any minute to give you a better quote. That is, if you own a Saab. :D

 

Huh. Anyone find it funny that Seinfeld's "Puddy" was a mechanic and "our" "Puddy" is.... well.... :D

 

Edit:

 

 

9 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 1 Anonymous Users)

7 Members: Big John, darin3, peepinmofo, H8tank, Puddy, HowboutthemCowboys, TitansFan

 

:bash:

Edited by darin3
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Like SB said....my best friend is a licensed and certified Mechanic for ford....he does all my work

 

That's good, cause fords sure do needs lotso work.

 

Any did I hear someone braggin about a sazuki in the thread that had more than 2 wheels? Can we please get that person excused from our man forum.

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Maybe the service department at my dealership is out of the ordinary. At the moment, I wouldn't consider going anywhere else.

 

 

I have a 3 1/2 year old Suburban and a 1 year old truck now. Your dealership sounds the exact opposite of mine. We took the suburban in because the seat that is supposed to slide forward to allow access to the back wasn't moving. Car was still under warranty. Told me they had to order a part for it. check with them next week. I've checked with them for 4 consecutive weeks now and still no part. Talked to the manager and everybody else I can think of.

They don't seem to really care at all.

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