I called two Audi dealers and a private mechanic I've used for 20+ years. The private guy wanted $1,000, the dealers between $1,400 and $1,500. Because of the difference I thought I'd better check them again, so I went to one of the dealers (Boardwalk Audi) and had them re-price it while I waited. Their $1,400 over-the-phone quote was now $2,050. Huh? ("May we schedule an appointment for you, Mr. Sucker?") My private mechanic was still $1,000, so he got the work. He promises the parts are all new Audi OEM parts and I believe him.
I hate people (well...not really "hate"...let's go with "don't like") who play games with me. I don't trust them. That dealer lost all credibility with me, and I won't consider them again for service or another new Audi purchase. Why do they do that? There's no need for it. Apparently no one today (except my private mechanic) wants to settle for making a reasonable profit. They're all greedy. They need to take the advice my dad gave me years ago: "A fast nickel is better than a slow dime." They need to think long-term.
That's what I think.
S
I wish we had a mechanic that we could trust, but we've never used one since we moved to Ohio.
ReplyDeleteMan,
ReplyDeleteI got a quote to change the sparkplugs in my 350z for 2.5 hours of labor and 81 worth of parts and a few other odds and ends and they wanted 400 ish. My quotes ranged from 1000 to 385.
Screw all of them...
I do have a mechanic I can trust and I realize that if it can be put on a car it can be taken off....Simple as that...
We had a similar experience with Mrs. C's BMW. The dealer where we bought the car (and had been having it serviced) changed hands. When she brought the car in for a routine oil change they told her the car needed $3,500.00 worth of work. We knew it needed work but not that much. We took the car to a German car specialist who examined the work order from the dealer and pointed out that we were being charged three and sometimes four times for the same procedure. What really ticked me off was the scare tactics the dealer used, telling Mrs. C that the car wasn't safe to drive. Obviously, we don't go to the dealer anymore. All necessary work was done for $900.00. It certainly pays to shop around.
ReplyDeleteIt does pay to shop and I have been ripped off so much I really need to make a practice of it.
ReplyDeleteAAA now tells you what mechanics are good in your area.
ReplyDelete