I have been having some squeaky breaks on my truck so I wanted to know how much it would be to get them changed out. I can do the disk breaks but drum breaks are too much. My dad and I almost changed the drum breaks once, but then we could not figure it out. Since I was already at the Toyota place this past weekend (engine light was on) I decided to ask how much they charged to changed drum breaks. Toyota dealership: $185.00. Then I started calling around. I talked with Meineke first. Meineke: $160.00 - w/coupon $130.00. Then I called Auto King. Auto King: $190.00. Then I called Midas, you know the Midas touch. Midas: $119.00.
There is a Midas and Meineke right next to each other on College. I went to both of them this morning. Midas tells me $132.00. Since they went up on there price I went to Meineke to get it done for $130.00. I go over there, $200.00. WHAT? They went up $40 on their phone quote! I go back to Midas and ask them if people always give a lower quote on the phone. He asked me why I would say that. I explained that they went up $10 and the other guys went up $40 from their phone quotes. Midas politely tells me that if they said $119.00 that is what they would do it for. Settled.
Point of this really long story with no pictures for entertainment: Why does a repair shop always try and get a better price off of someone? Why are they screwing people over like that. I feel sorry for the people that are in a bind and they cannot "shop around" for prices. Maybe when I talked on the phone they heard me wrong on what exactly I wanted done, so the price was different. I don't think that is the case, but hey, why not mention it. I have always known to watch out for repair shops, "they are thieves". Have all of us been taught to watch out? If so, don't you think that the shops know that we are paying attention to what they are charging?
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4 comments:
The typical person has no clue that the shop is screwing them over. Most consumers have blinders on and do not want to hear about what is happening. YOu should have done it yourself.
too long of an email-not like you to put something so long and boring-
anonymous, just let me know who you are and i will make sure to accommodate your needs.
A car to the average American is practically a necessity. Most people are willing to pay whatever within reason and usually chose not to haggle the price quote given.
That said, it is a quote after all. They're just making a guess as to what it might cost and probably never bother to take the time do a detailed analysis of the parts and labor charges. Thus, the varying differences in amounts.
Just a guess though. If someone comes to me and tells me such-and-such is broken on their computer, I just spit out what I think it will cost to fix it. Could end up more or less.
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