tobin

As many of you know, I received a MASSIVE bill for a timing belt/head seals/hoses job a couple of weeks ago. The link to the previous post is at the bottom of the page in case you missed it.

First of all a <b>HUGE THANKS</b> to everyone that helped me out and gave me advice. I got started right away, getting estimates from other shops, calling the DMV, etc. Over the course of a week, I was able to get 6 estimates from around the area.

1. $2643 with all hoses ($1300 labor)
2. $2262 w/o hoses ($1534 labor)
3. DEALERSHIP $1800 for the complete t-belt job, plus ALL the cam seals. They said hoses would be an extra 2-3 hours plus parts.
4. $1883 with 3 hoses (8 hours labor @ $80)
5. Fairfield County Motorsports, by far (and admittedly) the most expensive, quoted $2772 without hoses. This was 20 hours @ $105.
6. The last bill for the same job, minus hoses, from the previous owner (2003) =$1317
7. ALLDATA (Thanks Joey) listed 13.5 hours for the t-belt job and all the cam seals.

I showed them everthing I had collected over the week, and explained that I felt their labor charge was way off. Also, I wanted to show them that one of the heads was leaking (valve cover gasket which they replaced). I asked to see all 8 hoses they replaced, and learned that they only did 6. This was on Saturday the 16th. They were closing, and said they would look into the labor on Monday. I returned this past Saturday (2/24) to tell them I would return on 3/3 for a new VCG. They presented 2 things; a new bill with the 2 hoses taken off, and a list from their version of ALLDATA, shown below.

<img src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w261/tobin944/invoice.jpg">

They told me to take a look and think about it over the week. Right away, I can see 5 hours coming off. I did not ask, nor did they need to replace the (new) spark plugs that were in there. Also I did not ask for any cleaning, let alone $320 worth of cleaning. In addition, I think the 14 hours of labor on the cam seals is WAYYYY off.

They told me that they don't want me to feel like I'm getting ripped off, and seemed cool about it. I plan to return on Saturday and ask that 10 hours of labor be taken off the final bill. I will not settle for less than that, as I think 20 hours is more than fair to pay for this job, considering the fact that I'm paying full cost for thier parts.

BTW the DMV said all they can do is let me file a complaint with the repair division. They suggested small claims court, which I really don't want to do, but it's not looking good right now.

End rant. Thank you.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/2662027.phtml">Previous Post</a></li></ul>

ModifiedA4

that 14hours is insane.

Mr Paul [T-28]

It takes 2.0 extra hours to change a water pump when doing a TB job? No.

Andy_FL

Nice work collecting supporting evidence!

Question to those familiar with AD:
Does AllData <b>really</b> have a category/description that would read "cleaning surfaces, parts..." ??

To me, that sounds like they pulled that one completely out of their a$$ -- then again, I've never looked at AllData so I could be wrong. :-)

Andy

RKA

I'd get Joey to print out the same list from Alldata, and get the version. I think they fudged the numbers. If you have a written estimate that they claim came out of Alldata, and you can verify that Alldata lists it differently, you might have some evidence that can help you get the upper hand here (rather that relying on the good will of a liar).

AaronBryan

it can't be true that it took a professional mechanic nearly 40 hours to do all that stuff

Silver Streakin'

And who authorized 4 hours of cleaning?

I hope you can eat off of that car.

and then they just add 7 more hours because it took them that long to do all of that work?

sorry, but I think anything over 15 hours total is too much.

RKA

No they couldn't. It actually takes a little longer for the monkey to train the retards.

ModifiedA4

LMFAO!

Andy_FL

...had they included breakfast, lunch, AND dinners while working on the car -- they could've billed him for 50 hours! But, it appears they were being nice....and I think he got a deal @ 30hrs! LOL

Andy