$720 bill for service

[svo supporter]

Originally Posted by not happy

-----
the car is a 2004 VY2-The issue I have is the fact I drove the car for over 2 years and 2 dealer w/shops didn't pick up on the fact the links were missing when doing services and rear end checks,they charge enough for servicing-I ended up having to replace the rear suspension cradle due to excessive wear due 2 all the movement in the rear end.I have had Fords and Commodores b4 and have fitted camber caster kits to previous Commodores

Firstly, these links have nothing to do with the rear suspension movement you describe. All they do is adjust the Toe, which wouldn't help with the camber problem you describe.

2ndly. Never come across a caster kit for the rear of a Commodore.

3rdly. Ever take the car in for a wheel alignment? Service centres very very rarely do this as part of the service. If so, why not blame the place that did the alignment for not picking up on these?

Enough said I think, as it's going off topic

[kruptor]

Lets see this invoice.It will explain everything......

[smally289]

Originally Posted by MelsGolf

The bit i really dont understand with service costs is why not analyse your bill first and discuss it with the business providing the service? Surely that will clear up any misunderstanding or over charging.

It really seems a bit weird coming onto a forum complaining about the costs when you cant even tell us what they're made up of.

Something isnt making sense.

Exactly, always ask how much it will be, either when booking in on the phone or when you drop the car off. Most dealerships will give you the price without asking. If the job card is signed by the owner showing the price quoted then there is no "5 O'clock heart attack".

[Scaffy]

$720 for a B service? Definitely not right. Yes, there's some conjecture as to what's on the invoice and I'm sure when Rich has had a look at it "after he's finished nightshift on Sunday", which will be today some time, we'll get to see.

The fact is, if you take the car in for a 60,000km service, which includes all of the things mentioned on the post on the first page, anything above and beyond that, they are required to call to inform the owner and get permission to go ahead before performing any extra work. You've got what they believe to be 2000km left on your brake pads? Fine, call up and let you know first, with a quote for that job (which will more than likely make you choke on the air that you're breathing) and you can then choose to take it to someone else who will charge a lot less for non-genuine parts that are more-than-likely better quality.

Edit - this topic has obviously sparked a bit of interest, people have made some pretty good points and shared some good information. More importantly, It hasn't been locked. That's the point of coming onto a forum and asking questions. Yes, sometimes people don't always have 100% of the info at hand. The point's been made and addressed and we'll hopefully see something in the way of an invoice today.

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by GTENVY

Hey guys, just had a good friend of mine take her 2008 Ford Fiesta into a dealership for the 60,000 kms service. When she picked it up she was charged a whooping $720!!!

Not quite sure what the rant is here. Anybody knows if you go for a dealer service it's about double what it should be.

[flappist]

This is becoming a lynch mob frenzy.

If the OP does not wish to provide more info I am going to close it.

[Scaffy]

What the...? Didn't anyone else see the OP state that after he comes off nightshift on Sunday, he'll be able to give more info? Obviously, being on nightshift, he won't have the opportunity to see his friend who owns the car. Give him the chance and I'm sure he'll be back with more info once he's had a sleep and caught up with his friend. Get that finger off the trigger... Haha

[GTENVY]

Ok guys, havent had a chance to get back on here. Went around to my friends place monday morning as they were at their christmas party on sunday.

Was the typical 'B' service; oil filter, oil ($53.40 mind you), fuel filter, check over etc.

What wasnt part of the service that was extra; emission service , throttle body service - after 60,000 kms why??? and brake fluid change and flush.

She was told about the brake fluid but not the others. Total for labour $314 the rest was for parts.

Whats the going rate for vehicle servicing these days???

Anyone know anything about the emissions service??? I'm also questioning the need for a throttle body service, especially after only 60,000 kms.

Rich

[EB#]

She got ripped off.
$406 for supply of oil, oil filter, brake fluid, fuel filter ?
$314 for about 2 hours work ?
I don't even know what an emission service is, but it seems like something
extra to write on the bill. Throttle body clean is a simple task that takes
a few minutes.

All of those items listed above, including labour, would cost me about
$250 at my (independant) mechanic.

[aussie muscle]

obviously added an extra fee because she was female.

[GTENVY]

Originally Posted by EB92

She got ripped off.
$406 for supply of oil, oil filter, brake fluid, fuel filter ?
$314 for about 2 hours work ?
I don't even know what an emission service is, but it seems like something
extra to write on the bill. Throttle body clean is a simple task that takes
a few minutes.

All of those items listed above, including labour, would cost me about
$250 at my (independant) mechanic.

Exactly my thoughts....

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

obviously added an extra fee because she was female.

Wouldnt surprisee at all.

[Rodge]

I know there's a lot of very mechanically aware ladies on here, but my wife isn't one of them which is why I make the effort to have the very dubious pleasure of taking her car in for its services.

Its not the most thrilling drive of the year by any means but probably saves us a bit of money, besides she hates driving into the central city so what's a guy to do, might as well be a gentleman

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Rodge

I know there's a lot of very mechanically aware ladies on here, but my wife isn't one of them which is why I make the effort to have the very dubious pleasure of taking her car in for its services.

Its not the most thrilling drive of the year by any means but probably saves us a bit of money, besides she hates driving into the central city so what's a guy to do, might as well be a gentleman

and score Brownie points !!!

[BionicGT]

I have my Fords serviced as per Ford service schedule only while in the 3 year warranty period. After that, I only get and pay for what is required to be done. For example, clutch fluid changes and brake fluid every two years, coolant change every three years, etc. I have the oil and filter done every year (only do low kms in the GT) and supply the oil (previously bought at Supercheap when on 20% off sale). I keep a spreadsheet record of what I have had done and when and what time the next major items need doing ( as specified in the service book). This keeps the servicing costs quite reasonable over the time I have the
Vehicle.

[roberts]

Now we all know that the customer is told how much they will be up for at time of drop off and signing the ro confirms you understand the conditions, you will be told if any extra work is required you will be called to confirm the extra costs.
Now I have been told myself 12,000 times "oh just do what needs to be done I need my car to be right" a good service adviser will ignore this and call to confirm, some dont.

[roberts]

Originally Posted by ratter

Don't want to appear rude but that shows your lack of knowledge with things mechanical.

never seen the valves adjusted on a 2.5 navara, even know the book says every 40,000km, hilux 2.5 the same people get the ***** when told to drop the car of the night before as needed to be cold never happens never gets done

[VioletGT]

cut your loss and find a good mechanic.

[ratter]

Originally Posted by roberts

never seen the valves adjusted on a 2.5 navara, even know the book says every 40,000km, hilux 2.5 the same people get the ***** when told to drop the car of the night before as needed to be cold never happens never gets done

Customer or delearship staff attitudes may dictate to whether they get checked and/or adjusted, but my post referred to a lack of mechanical knowledge by EDManual

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roberts

never seen the valves adjusted on a 2.5 navara, even know the book says every 40,000km, hilux 2.5 the same people get the ***** when told to drop the car of the night before as needed to be cold never happens never gets done

This is very true, same thing with Honda, every 40,000km if the mechanic feels like doing it.

[ratter]

did you do it when you worked in a dealership?

[stang65]

I would like to scan see a scan of receipt otherwise I deem this heresay.