I was pulling out old maintenance receipts out of my glove compartment of my 05 tC (yes many). I've been asking on here about different items to replace like spark plugs, batteries, and my racing tires that I failed to use in the snow storm a few weeks ago lol. Well I'm going to become a DIY if at all possible. Hopefully this thread pulls some of those scared away from the dealerships, the jiffys, the pep boys, the ripoff shops and gets their head back in the game. These are our cars and no one will take care of them or care about them more than us.

From 5-10-07 (yes old school) dealership work to get a free airbag recall. Yes FREE!!!:

Total Labor: 283.96
Total Parts: 40.99
Total Sublet: 0 (huh)
Total G.O.G.: 25 (what)
Total Misc Chg: 5 (i swear invented)
Total Misc Disc: 0 (of course!)
Total Tax: 24.85
Grand Total: $379.80

Yes $379.80 for what seemed to be a free airbag recall on the 05 tc. What did they do since they worked so very very hard on my car while having me late for work throughout the day?

1. Airbag Recall = $0.00 (yahoo!)
2. Rubber Wiper Blade 1 = $8.00
3. Rubber Wiper Blade 2 = $8.00
4. Oil Change Element = $17.00
5. Oil Change = $7.99
6. Filter = **
7. Gasket = **
8. Supplies = $25.00
9. Labor = $283.96

So let me ask you again, what did they do since they worked so very very hard on my car?

Hope this teaches you all a lesson (at least the newbies). I have since replaced air filters by myself, degreased the engine compartment by myself, customized the entire interior myself, replace wipers myself, and lots more. Soon I will do battery, spark plugs, and my own periodic checks by myself!

Don't get screwed like me.

 

just as an fiy. in the flat rate book for scion i think a wiper blade change is .5 of an flat rate hour

so if it's 90 dollars a flat rate hour charge at a dealership it's 45 bucks a wiper.

 

Jesus! Makes me wonder why I'm not an auto mechanic.

 

The only reason I ever set foot in the service area at the dealer is to buy OEM oil filters, trans. fluid, and radiator fluid. That's it. I didn't even let them change my water pump. They quoted me over $600.

 

I find it funny and sad. Auto mechanics provide a service that is rare and hard to find (among the common driver). They can literally charge whatever they want. I mean you aren't going to say no and not get your car or get into a fight.

If I had it my way, I'd totally revamp the entire auto mechanic industry since you can buy better parts at cheaper parts online. Auto mechanics should just charge labor and do whatever you want at the same price known BEFORE the service. From tire changes, rotations, to oil changes, filter changes, battery, air filter, etc. I should be able to go buy the best I can find for the cheapest price and go to a mechanic and tell them this is what I want.

Same with brakes too. Pretty sure Midas gave me some sub-standard POS brake pads this past year. I want to be able to get some Brembos LOL.

 

They don't call it the "stealership" for nothing!

 

You realize after you buy the filter, the oil etc, a simple oil change does not cost that much? I rather let the dealer do it. =/

 

wow...you are a sucker...seriously? you asked them to change your wipers? sheesh. not to be rude, but you kind of asked for it.

 

An oil change with synthetic fluid is around $40. $25 for dino oil. My total is $24 using Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic and an OEM filter. Not to mention the satisfaction that I know it was done right. Keep going to the dealer and letting them pump that recycled oil from a drum into your car if you want.

 

^ you need to stop being paranoid, maybe your dealer is shady. This one is nice.

 

lol... now a days a full syn oil change is like 45. After you buy an oem filter 6 and 5 qt jug of oil, lets say valvoline, 25 you're at 31. Having to get under the car, drain oil and dispose of oil you're looking at over 45 dollars. Sometimes time is more valuable than you think. That is a steal at the dealership. That service at your common Sears would be like 75 dollars. Not cheap, but not 300

 

Word to the wise, if you go in for a recall, only get the recall stuff worked on. I've been in the delaer three times for warranty work, once for a bad fuse box (yes, not fuse, the holder, the mounting was loose and wouldn't keep the fuse in place), once for a broken trunk handle, and once for a cracked windshield (stress crack, not rock). I've never received a bill for any of it, all the invoices listed as 0.00 for parts and labor.

 

yup to those who have an ability to work on their cars, like the oil change, this is a definite thing to do it yourself. Any anyone can replace their wiper blades and air filter without having to need a jack and jackstands.

But this does serve a lesson that it's cheaper if you do it yourself AND you know what you're doing! There are many NEWBIES out there that want to save money, do something wrong and BAM! ruin their car. Like over tightening the oil drain plug, strip the threads out, ouch! or anything like that. So I will say it to those who have the ability to know what they're doing, it's a definite to do it yourself.

$300 is a ridiculous amount for nothing. I've always said this is why dealerships are hurting, but what do they do when they have fewer customers? Raise rates again! keep doing that and then no one will support their business.

 

Dont let dealership and mechanic get too crossed. My dad (runs his own shop) charges actual time (aka.. he would most likely replace your wiper blades for free.. and show you how to do it yourself next time), no flat rate crap, and has spent a lot of his time fixing what the ASE certified techs at the local dealers have royally effed up on customers cars... all while charging a lower labor rate.

No offense to dealer techs in general.. but ASE certified does not mean "good mechanic" by any shape of the word (I have been witness of ASE certified techs who dont even understand how a basic charging system works)... it means they are certified. And dealerships have TONS of overhead.. meaning they have to charge extremely high rates. So while some have very good techs, they will still be expensive. And the techs have no say so in how much labor is charged for a job. So if the book says 8 hours and a good tech can do it in 4... you get charged 8 most times.

 

So you're either under your car for 30 min or you're sitting in the customer lounge for 30 min. No time difference there. Even if you add in going to buy the oil, it's the same length of time driving to the dealer.

If I was speculating then maybe you could call it paranoia. I have friends who are techs so I know what goes on. And like engifineer said, they don't have a say in a lot of the procedures. I understand that a lot of people aren't mechanically inclined and the dealer is their preferred option which is cool. Just make sure they're doing what they say they are is my point.

 

lol wiper blades really just look at it and think hhmmm how could this work oil changes are easy you did your plugs right i posted in your thread some tips

 

Did you break the trunk garnish? I snapped mine off on monday, and bought one off ebay for $110 shipped

 

what do you mean your handle broke off or something this is the first im hearing of this hope mines doesnt just pop off lol

 

Yeah I hear ya, this garage actually is open and you can watch them doing the work. However one dealer was the complete opposite and very deceptive. (caught them telling lies). I trust the one I currently go to. I can't remember exactly how much an oil change is because I havent gone forever but im thinking its like 20 bucks, for me personally its worth it to not have to mess with it.

 

Yep. Tugged on it a tad too hard and it snapped right off. I searched around and it seems to have happened to quite a few people.