F car repair shops

weflyhigh

Senior member
Jan 1, 2007
971
1
81
About 3 weeks ago I noticed my car's RPM meter was not working and then would randomly rev up every couple minutes and then once started going crazy kind of
After that, the battery light thing went on (which means the battery isn't being properly charged, according to the hand book)
I finished my deliveries (Domino's) and then the car wouldn't start... I waited... it eventually started and I got it to the car repair shop

They charged me !!!<$1700!!! to fix/replace the alternator and replace the rear struts (apparently they were broken too.. yea right)


Well today I notice the RPM meter isn't working again and then the windows became sluggish and slow and the battery light came on again


WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The car struggled but I got it to the repair shop...

if they charge me a lot (more than 0) I'm gonna be so pissed

you would think for fucking 1700 dollars they could properly fix a car

and now I'm out a potential 150$+ by not being able to finish working tonight/not working tomorrow

note: 1998 ford contour SE, <80,000 miles, original owner/amazing condition
 

zeruty

Platinum Member
Jan 17, 2000
2,276
2
81
I'm not sure if the moderators are cool with the fact that you edited the post and added "uck" in the topic summary after they edited the topic to take out "uck"
 
May 13, 2009
12,333
612
126
Face the facts you were ass raped. Its a shame you can't just take your automobile somewhere and have it worked on without the ass rape. Sorry about your luck.
 
Oct 27, 2007
17,009
1
0
$1700 for an alternator, tachometer and 2 struts? Yeah, you got raped. Next time try to not act like a clueless noob when you take your car in, some mechanics will prey on you if they know you don't know shit.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,218
13,479
146
Unfortunately, many auto shops diagnose problems via the "Let's replace this part and see if it works" method. When it doesn't, we can soak the customer again.

While it's true that the problem may have been the alternator, it could also be the battery, which you don't say they replaced. Either/both COULD be the culprit...but then again, so could a bad chassis ground...

I doubt your struts were "broken," but at 80K miles, they should certainly have been due for replacement. Why did they replace them without your authorization? OR did they get your OK by calling and saying, "Oh, btw, your rear struts are broken, we need to replace them."?
Did they show you the replaced parts? You have a legal right to see those parts and keep them if you choose. (You may be required to reimburse the shop for any core charge.)
 

allisolm

Elite Member
Administrator
Jan 2, 2001
25,148
4,682
136
<80,000 miles, original owner/amazing condition

Apparently not.

 

biggestmuff

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2001
8,201
2
0
Everytime I've used a repair shop, they call me and suggest to me what needs to be replaced and/or repaired. They then tell me the price. I then have to give an 'okay' for them to proceed with the work. What happened with your situation?
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,558
20
81
So this is the second time this week you've been robbed? Sounds like the pizza delivery industry is working out well for you this month.
 

waffleironhead

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2005
6,990
493
136
that is why you get a quote and authorize the repair only after you have seen an estimate. Next time post in the garage for recommendations of what it may be.
 

BabaBooey

Lifer
Jan 21, 2001
10,476
0
0
Your first mistake was this .....................


1998 ford contour SE


Live and learn.....
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
166
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
Heh, my son just replaced both of his rear struts in his car; got them used (but in good shape), took him an hour or two, cost him $50. (Or was it $50 for each strut?)

Next time, get a price before you say "okay", and "I'll call you back in just a couple minutes" & check around to see if that's a fair price. But, you're about to pay more. Electrical problems can be difficult to diagnose; sometimes they get it right on the first try, sometimes they don't. And, at least around here, electrical parts are non-returnable = you're about to pay more money.
 

se7en

Platinum Member
Oct 23, 2002
2,303
1
0
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Why'd they replace the struts? :confused:

Did you authorize that repair?

Do you think the OP knows what those are or is he assuming you meant to type sluts?
 

compuwiz1

Admin Emeritus Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
27,111
926
126
Congrats, your repair costs equal or exceed the actual cash value of said vehicle.
 

weflyhigh

Senior member
Jan 1, 2007
971
1
81
Text

there's a "scan" of the costs sheet I was given by the shop after they finished last time

Before I even took the car in, I looked online a new alternator was only $150.. definitely not $250+, but I ignored and figured as long it worked I wouldn't be mad

There first quote also wasn't anywhere near what it ended up to be

and yes, they did call me and basically said "your car needs this this and this" and said that the repairs were definitely worth it because of the good condition of the car (even though, yes, the car is only "kelly blue booked" at less than $2000)

so I just thought w/e repair all you can now so there wouldn't be any future problems/I wouldn't have to worry (at least for another few months)


WHAT THE FUCK

anyone know any good repair shops near the suburbs of Philadelphia? If these fucking pricks try to charge me something ridiculous again I'm going to shit on their faces. $200 to replace an alternator that probably took them <30 minutes+$100 more for the alternator than it should cost... fuck that