Terrible experience so far
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 6
From: RI
I am not representing the business practices of every single mechanic or shop, nor every single service encounter every forum member has had.
I'm just saying like previous poster mentioned that going by the book isn't necessarily a bad thing and that it's the common practice these days more often then not.
If these things have made you mad in the past, then take the appropriate action and shop around to find a reliable but inexpensive mechanic. Be sure to call to get firm quotes before work starts and hold them to the quote. If you don't like the quote or had a bad experience, walk away and keep looking to find a shop that is more inline to your expectations.
If you believe in the free market, there should be at least one shop in your area who will buck the trend and offer cheaper prices to take away business from the shops that overcharge.
If every single shop in your area is charging about the same price for the same job, perhaps there is some other cost involved with running the business that isn't too apparent.
Edit: All skilled labor has costs. If you want to talk about ripoffs, consider what's the deal with Geek Squad or any of those big box computer repair places charging like $100 to install a video card or hard drive into your PC....
I'm just saying like previous poster mentioned that going by the book isn't necessarily a bad thing and that it's the common practice these days more often then not.
If these things have made you mad in the past, then take the appropriate action and shop around to find a reliable but inexpensive mechanic. Be sure to call to get firm quotes before work starts and hold them to the quote. If you don't like the quote or had a bad experience, walk away and keep looking to find a shop that is more inline to your expectations.
If you believe in the free market, there should be at least one shop in your area who will buck the trend and offer cheaper prices to take away business from the shops that overcharge.
If every single shop in your area is charging about the same price for the same job, perhaps there is some other cost involved with running the business that isn't too apparent.
Edit: All skilled labor has costs. If you want to talk about ripoffs, consider what's the deal with Geek Squad or any of those big box computer repair places charging like $100 to install a video card or hard drive into your PC....
i'm not saying that's any more fair but obviously i'll be looking for a better deal. its a shame how people are gouging prices these days.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: NC
Let me first say that I understand both sides of this coin, but honestly, you're not just paying for the job, or the time...you're paying for the knowledge and the professional backing/warranty of the work. I once locked my keys in my car. Locksmith came out and opened my car in 30 seconds. He had a phone in one hand, a cigarette in the other and was constantly pulling his pants up. When he told me how much, I 'bout flipped. He calmly threw the keys back in, locked and shut the doors, and then gave me the what now face...see where this is heading?
That book time came from somewhere. It's not an arbitrary number. I fix washers and dryers and I can't lie...I'll be damned if I would pay someone the amount my COMPANY charges to fix stuff, but then again I know what I'm doing. LOL!!
Golden Rule of the Thread: You pay for what you get...not always up front either...
That book time came from somewhere. It's not an arbitrary number. I fix washers and dryers and I can't lie...I'll be damned if I would pay someone the amount my COMPANY charges to fix stuff, but then again I know what I'm doing. LOL!!
Golden Rule of the Thread: You pay for what you get...not always up front either...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 13
From: Cali
I guess it's okay for Doctors and Lawyers to get paid, but not mechanics.
No worries, we have options:
1) we can just throw cars away when anything happens.
2) Learn to repair it yourself
3) Take the car to the lending institution, hand them the keys,
and tell them "your car broke."
I can relate; in my business, customers seem to think my knowledge
and expertise are free. Not so.
Any car with 90K miles can be expected to have a few issues.
Mine has not had this issue, but I maintain it better than most people.
With a used car with mileage, unless the service history is documented,
you take your chances.
No worries, we have options:
1) we can just throw cars away when anything happens.
2) Learn to repair it yourself
3) Take the car to the lending institution, hand them the keys,
and tell them "your car broke."
I can relate; in my business, customers seem to think my knowledge
and expertise are free. Not so.
Any car with 90K miles can be expected to have a few issues.
Mine has not had this issue, but I maintain it better than most people.
With a used car with mileage, unless the service history is documented,
you take your chances.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
I guess it's okay for Doctors and Lawyers to get paid, but not mechanics.
No worries, we have options:
1) we can just throw cars away when anything happens.
2) Learn to repair it yourself
3) Take the car to the lending institution, hand them the keys,
and tell them "your car broke."
I can relate; in my business, customers seem to think my knowledge
and expertise are free. Not so.
Any car with 90K miles can be expected to have a few issues.
Mine has not had this issue, but I maintain it better than most people.
With a used car with mileage, unless the service history is documented,
you take your chances.
No worries, we have options:
1) we can just throw cars away when anything happens.
2) Learn to repair it yourself
3) Take the car to the lending institution, hand them the keys,
and tell them "your car broke."
I can relate; in my business, customers seem to think my knowledge
and expertise are free. Not so.
Any car with 90K miles can be expected to have a few issues.
Mine has not had this issue, but I maintain it better than most people.
With a used car with mileage, unless the service history is documented,
you take your chances.
To clarify the car has been brought in for all scheduled maintenance and standard in-between maintenance since mile one when we bought it brand new?
So if we have both kept our cars in top shape by lexus standard, and yours hasn't had this issue but mine has. I guess the quote from the Lexus manager (in the original post) is true.
"With Lexus you just have to hope your car is the one that goes 150k."
Oh and Doctors and Lawyers are examples of classic billing abuses, and IMO auto technicians are not far behind
EDIT:
YES I KNOW that is a generalization it is not meant to be insulting even though some will take it as such. There is plenty of opportunity in all of these professions to take advantage of people.
Last edited by ColeTrickl; Sep 22, 2008 at 07:57 PM.
you should be happy its just an o2 sensor and pay for the job done, and pretend there not even doing it by hours.
i cant imagine what your old bimmer repair bills were.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
Please note bimmer is a sore subject
It was totalled october of last month. hahaha I'm slowly getting over it.I bought the bimmer used at 20,000 miles and other than an oil change and tire rotation i spent approximately $100-$125 in simple DIY repairs. The car was at 91k when it was totalled. Maybe thats why I'm so sore
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
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ivie08
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
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Aug 21, 2010 10:24 PM
