Yeah 8 hours is redonkulous. Fluid changes, plug changes, filter changes, and injector cleaning are all simple things to do. It could all easily be done in 4 hours. If you have 3 different drain pans you could drain all the fluids at once and then fill them right back up and that would knock a good chunk of time off also.

 

Seems like that would work out perfectly. Half the time and you do all the work on your own so you dont get shafted with anything. I would just do everything on my own on a day off like i usually. Nothing too hard.

 

Wow. Thanks everyone for the feedback. The concensus is that I was definitely ripped off. I would say by about $300 - $400 in excess of what it should be (they could have done this in 4 hrs MAX instead of 8 hrs x $90 shop rate = $320 that they padded the bill with. Just because they could.

Ok. Here is my next question. I am a business owner (www.sederra.com) Ha! Shameless plug. ;-) and we ALWAYS pride ourselves on great customer service and honesty. What is the best way to deal with a dishonest auto-service business like this???? I don't believe in bashing companies publicly which can be more harmful than deserved, but I think it is important to let them know somehow that this is unfair and to protect others.

I have my own ideas, but am curious as to yours!

 

I brought in an old truck for a quick brake job a few years back, and when i went to pick it up they handed me a bill for 1000$. They tore up the backing plate, and only ended up changing the front pads, nothing else. They were supposed to scan the obd and tell me what my check engine was for free. That was 100$. I couldn't do much besides pay the bill.

I drive past this place every morning on my way home, usually very early in the morning. For the last three years I have made it a point, every so often, to stop and empty all my trash on their front door. I have never been back to another mechanic shop since. If I can't do it myself, I'll figure it out. I HATE dishonest businesses.

 

Its funny, the shop I trust (been going there long enough with at least 4 different vehicles and they cut me deals and have even done small things for free) actually has a BBB or whatever it is paper in the office with all the bad businesses in town circled haha

 

I have a hard time trusting anyone with my D and when it comes to working on it i do it on my own or learn how to do it

 

I'm on the same boat with you, however I will NOT be learning how to tear down a transmission any time soon.I will leave that to the pros.

 

I worked in a dodge dealer as a tech. So i see first hand how hard they rape the customers. (our hourly rate was 110)..btw why are you having your brake fluid flushed? I never head of that as a maintenance item. You might be taken for a ride.

Also by "clean fuel injectors" all they are doing is a JB service. The equivalent of putting fuel injector cleaner in your gas tank.

If your somewhat handy i would recommend doing all the work yourself....(plugs, air filter, transfer case, (which is drain and fill), front and rear differential( the font is drain and fill) the rear you actually have to take the cover off, but still no biggie.

 

It sounds like U already had the work done and paid the shop. Not much to do about it now. U can talk to the owner/manager and tell them if they can not provide recourse U will never be back and will discuss this at length to every one U know. Probable will not help much but cause U more grief. It sounds like they did some things that were not necessary. Brake flush. Fuel injector cleaner. It is maintenance but may not be needed at this time. Is this a dealer or big box tire/repair shop, or local shop?
There are "book" rates for service as to hours for a job. Then they have there own hourly rate. The "book" rate is usually longer then it actually takes. They figure in all the overhead in the shop and more profit margin this way.

I do as much as I can first. The more I do the more I feel comfortable with. The more tools I buy the more I save by doing the job myself. There are times I am too busy, to stressed. Need the job done in a hurry and there are 2/3 local shops I use when I need to. They know me by name and are not rip off artist.

Look for a new shop and buy some more tools. Some places like Auto Z... or Advanced have a tool loner program that can help in the future.

Took my wife Sebring to a local dealer who had lots of muscle Charger/magnum/Challengers over the years. Custom stuff too. They race what the have.

Had a coupon for oil change/tire rotation and 23 pt inspection for 27.70 with tax.
Took it because I wanted to check out the dealer better.
They came back with a quote for a more work.

4 spark plugs 79.95
iginition wires 88.5
rear brakes 89.95 adjust no parts.

Guess what I did it myself. I spent less than $40 for premium Napa wires and OEM plugs. Did the job in less than an hour. Did brakes a few weeks later.

Poured Techron fuel cleaner in near empty tank and done.

Good luck.