Did I get ripped off when I had my car serviced?

Mattie G Indahouse · April 12, 2015, 06:56:05 PM

So I ended up having the place putting all 4 brake rotors on and new back brake pads which they picked out. I also had a check engine light checked out along with a tire being resealed. In total that came to $711. Does that seem a little too high for the things I got done? The parts came to over $300 and the labor came to over $300 as well.

Mattie G Indahouse · April 13, 2015, 05:22:49 PM

I need to know people.

gats · April 13, 2015, 05:23:47 PM

maybe a little. but it's the price you pay for owning a german whip

also i should add how you present yourself is quite important. see women generally get ripped off at a mechanics because the average women doesn't know much about cars so it's easy to make a simple job sound hard and then charge a high price for it. if you go in and sound like you know what you're talking about in regards to the faults and maybe they'll be less likely to rip you off.

did you not try more than one place?

Mad Max · April 13, 2015, 05:24:39 PM

No. Usually either front or rear rotors and brakes runs me about $450.

Tyger · April 13, 2015, 05:24:56 PM

Literally every single time you pay anyone to do anything to your car, you're getting ripped off. Trust me my dad manages a chain of body shops. He once told me he didn't like a customer so he charged her 5 hours of labor for an hour long job

Turkey · April 13, 2015, 05:26:14 PM

You're fine. A bit under average, I'd say.

DAS B00T x2 · April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM

Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Also, spend 20 bucks for an OBD II reader. Pays for itself the first time you don't have a mechanic look at your light or check the code.

Jono · April 13, 2015, 05:27:06 PM

You have an Audi, so everything is going to be expensive as dicks when it comes to maintenance

Mad Max · April 13, 2015, 05:27:49 PM

Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM

Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.

Some of us don't have the tools and/or know-how to do it, though.

Turkey · April 13, 2015, 05:28:01 PM

Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM

Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Also, spend 20 bucks for an OBD II reader. Pays for itself the first time you don't have a mechanic look at your light or check the code.

A lot of places will check it free, though whether you trust them to not lie about maintenance you "need" is another story.

Mega Sceptile · April 13, 2015, 05:28:18 PM

Sounds about right considering you're paying someone else to do it.

Sandtrap · April 13, 2015, 05:30:07 PM

I honestly can't tell you considering I had my engine dismantled and my transmission replaced for the price of 250$ dollars.

I'm spoiled when it comes to mechanics.

Mad Max · April 13, 2015, 05:32:51 PM

Quote from: Sandtrap on April 13, 2015, 05:30:07 PM

I honestly can't tell you considering I had my engine dismantled and my transmission replaced for the price of 250$ dollars.

I'm spoiled when it comes to mechanics.

How does your mechanic even turn a profit?

DAS B00T x2 · April 13, 2015, 05:33:08 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:27:49 PM

Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM
Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Some of us don't have the tools and/or know-how to do it, though.

Read a book. It'll save you money.

Mad Max · April 13, 2015, 05:35:17 PM

Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:33:08 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:27:49 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM
Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Some of us don't have the tools and/or know-how to do it, though.
Read a book. It'll save you money.

There's plenty of guides and youtube videos, but if I fuck it up, my car isn't going to stop. That's a problem.

Sandtrap · April 13, 2015, 05:36:33 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:32:51 PM

Quote from: Sandtrap on April 13, 2015, 05:30:07 PM
I honestly can't tell you considering I had my engine dismantled and my transmission replaced for the price of 250$ dollars.

I'm spoiled when it comes to mechanics.
How does your mechanic even turn a profit?

He never stops working. He's the only guy in the community he lives in who knows mechanics, and in the surrounding area as well. He's a good barter. Goes to auctions to find parts. Gets good deals on things and he owns an old school.

Now. His entire school is packed with parts. He's got about 50-60 years worth of knowledge on mechanics. This guy knows his machines.

Everybody goes to him for help.

He's not a business operated garage. All under the table. That's how.

DAS B00T x2 · April 13, 2015, 05:37:11 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:35:17 PM

Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:33:08 PM
Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:27:49 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM
Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Some of us don't have the tools and/or know-how to do it, though.
Read a book. It'll save you money.
There's plenty of guides and youtube videos, but if I fuck it up, my car isn't going to stop. That's a problem.

Well that's easy. Don't fuck up.

Mad Max · April 13, 2015, 05:40:44 PM

Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:37:11 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:35:17 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:33:08 PM
Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:27:49 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM
Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Some of us don't have the tools and/or know-how to do it, though.
Read a book. It'll save you money.
There's plenty of guides and youtube videos, but if I fuck it up, my car isn't going to stop. That's a problem.
Well that's easy. Don't fuck up.

Gee, why didn't I think of that...

DAS B00T x2 · April 13, 2015, 05:41:15 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:40:44 PM

Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:37:11 PM
Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:35:17 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:33:08 PM
Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:27:49 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM
Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Some of us don't have the tools and/or know-how to do it, though.
Read a book. It'll save you money.
There's plenty of guides and youtube videos, but if I fuck it up, my car isn't going to stop. That's a problem.
Well that's easy. Don't fuck up.
Gee, why didn't I think of that...

Because you voted for Obama.

The Lord Slide Rule · April 13, 2015, 05:41:46 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:35:17 PM

Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:33:08 PM
Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:27:49 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM
Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Some of us don't have the tools and/or know-how to do it, though.
Read a book. It'll save you money.
There's plenty of guides and youtube videos, but if I fuck it up, my car isn't going to stop. That's a problem.

if you manage to fuck up your brakes you've got other issues. . .

Sandtrap · April 13, 2015, 05:44:02 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:35:17 PM

Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:33:08 PM
Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:27:49 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM
Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Some of us don't have the tools and/or know-how to do it, though.
Read a book. It'll save you money.
There's plenty of guides and youtube videos, but if I fuck it up, my car isn't going to stop. That's a problem.

Also.

People are used to being poor up here max. Whatever you make, is a profit.

Mad Max · April 13, 2015, 05:49:05 PM

Quote from: SexyBarracuda on April 13, 2015, 05:41:46 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:35:17 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:33:08 PM
Quote from: Mad Max on April 13, 2015, 05:27:49 PM
Quote from: the boat ECKS two on April 13, 2015, 05:26:31 PM
Probably. Brakes are easy shit to do yourself.
Some of us don't have the tools and/or know-how to do it, though.
Read a book. It'll save you money.
There's plenty of guides and youtube videos, but if I fuck it up, my car isn't going to stop. That's a problem.
if you manage to fuck up your brakes you've got other issues. . .

I know it's not difficult, but fucking up one little thing could result in major damage. I can't exactly go a few days without a car while I troubleshoot something, or risk needing to slam on my brakes on the freeway if I'm not sure of my work.

Mattie G Indahouse · April 14, 2015, 07:16:24 AM

Quote from: gats on April 13, 2015, 05:23:47 PM

did you not try more than one place?

It was the most practical. This place is about half a mile from me so I can simply drive it down and walk back to my house. The other garage is a couple miles away from me so I would have to have a second car come with me.