Repair Help

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Discussion

F7LDA

Original Poster:

940 posts

206 months

Thursday 28th September 2017
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Looking for opinions on how to approach a problem I’ve just experienced with a local specialists.

Took my car in for an inspection to be told it needed some suspension work - mainly ball joints, track rod ends etc. I was told certain things had to be done and others not so much and could be done next year. I verbally gave them a £1000 budget and then when I dropped the car off reiterated this saying I would do the rest at its service in four months time (as I was about to fly off to the States for a month on holiday - where I currently still am).

Just had an email from them to say the car is ready to collect when i get back on Monday and the bill is......£3500. Parts alone are over £1300 with the rest being labour and VAT. I’ve obviously instantly replied saying I’m confused / concerned about the invoice but given the time difference of where I am I’m yet to hear back. I’ll be calling them tomorrow however wanted to see if this has happened to anyone before and where I stand? My budget and expectations could not have been any more clear.

Very reputable and really nice guys to date therefore hoping they can help resolve; albeit I’m struggling to see how given parts have been used already and they alone exceed my budget.

F7LDA

Original Poster:

940 posts

206 months

Friday 29th September 2017
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Thanks for the reply. While I would normally agree with you, the car has had over £6k of work in the last three months therefore don’t think my slush fund needs topped up (further more I can afford to pay it by moving money - but I shouldn’t have to is more the point).

I agree with comms - albeit I was incredibly clear as to my budget. I only wanted a ball joint, drop link and a couple of bushes sorted therefore given a labour rate of £60 an hour I don’t think my £1k was unreasonable.

Will report back what they say.

F7LDA

Original Poster:

940 posts

206 months

Friday 29th September 2017
quotequote all
Thanks Voicey. I think as above it’s just a breakdown in comms from their service manager who I was dealing with. They seem a good garage and the top guy there is very knowledgeable and will hopefully sort something out after speaking to the person in question.