PI$$ED off IN AZ

[double ugly]

I have a vintage 1960's carburetor on my Cobra that needed the base plate rebuilt along with the rest of the carb. A business in Phoenix quoted $350.00 over the phone and it sounded OK to me. So I left the house and got it to their shop at 9:45 AM. Six hours later and a very SHOCKED $805.00 poorer I got home and read the bill again. Granted, I had an oil change ($128.11) and bought five gallons of race fuel ($40.00) the distributor was re-curved that I didn't need since it was done there in December ($136.50) and, I think was double billed for the labor ($45.00) for the oil change, was charged $30.00 for hazardous waste disposal AND I was charged for way more hours than the car was there (yes I understand the job rate calculator). Now granted they do GREAT work and the car runs better than ever but I worked myself into such a state of "PI$$ED" on the drive home that I subsequently faxed them my displeasure over a ridiculous bill. They called back and agreed to deduct $160.00 from the bill after some haggling and asked me if that would make it OK. Well no it doesn't make it OK just slightly better. I don't like being taken advantage of and this is the second and last time it will happen. I'll send the carb off to New Jersey before it goes back there. There, I got it off my chest.
John

[mikiec]

128 and change for an oil change?? Care to name names? If not what part of the valley?

Mike

[Garage10]

Can you say bend over ! That sounds like dealership prices charged here in Canada. I wouldn't go back either.

Brent

[jdog]

"You can't get fooled again"#43

John, did they ever give you a written estimate? Here in Cali they're required to give you a written est. Although that won't solve everything.

I once had a similar experience with a turbo Porsche that I had a few years ago. When a written $1,700 repair estimate turned into $7,000! Because I "approved" additional parts without requesting a revised quote. Yeah, it got pretty tight between me and Porsche North America for a few months.

I was afraid of this from the onset with the Cobra. I chose a reputable local engine builder for my engine & installation. Then I negotiated a set price for annual lube & service. $300 including valve adjustment & oil. That don't sound to bad, seeing what happened to you!

Good luck brother, that's a good lesson for us all!

jdog

[GlynMeek]

jdog...I also have a Porsche Turbo as my "sensible daily driver", but I am surprised you got STUCK with THAT differential on actuals vs estimate!!! Was it a 'dealership' that did the work?

Glyn

[Danr55]

John, Can I guess where you went? Was it on the other side of I-17 near the fair grounds?

[speed220mph]

John: Makes you feel "violated." Get that carburetor to me if you have any more problems and I'll take it to the "carburetor man" here in town. He got my vintage 1962 3x2 Holleys sorted out that had a serious internal leak, which turned out to be an internal bleed dripping fuel into the plenum chamber.

Boyce Eckhard is the one most NASCAR guys in this area and many from out of town--and there are a lot of them--take their carburetors to for setup and sorting out. He's honest and knows his stuff.

A side note: I was actually embarassed at the low price he charged for fixing the 3x2's and other setup work he's done, including the 750 on the Cobra. I usually do my own work, but Boyce is so good and fast, my thought is "why bother". So if I can help, let me know.

[double ugly]

It was in the West valley. I need to clarify that the oil change consisted of a WIX filter and 10 qts of Valvoline race oil. Still a ridiculous price though.
Tom, I'll remember your kind offer if I need anything else done to the carb.
John

[Ron61]

John,

I use Valvoline Racing oil and Wix filters and the last 12 quarts plus filter I bought cost me $ 48 something. Of course I changed my own oil.

Ron

[Jerry Clayton]

Seems to me like if they worked on your car for 6 hours, race gas, carb base plate, oil, filter, Haz disposal, etc you probably got a pretty reasonalble deal---

Jerry

[Rick Parker]

I have an aquaintance with a Ferrari Testarosa and these guys "Really get separated from their cash". Like many with this type of car he has no clue of how to work on it. He drives it 70 miles to a shop in the Bay area for an "Oil Change". Leaves it overnight. 2 filters and 12 quarts of Redline later he drops $400.00...........

[double ugly]

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

Seems to me like if they worked on your car for 6 hours, race gas, carb base plate, oil, filter, Haz disposal, etc you probably got a pretty reasonalble deal---

Jerry

On what planet???
The car was there for six hours it wasn't being worked on for six hours. Being charged for "storage" while the tech had lunch and an other hour while he waited for parts isn't billable time in my opinion.
John

[427sharpe]

The oil change is what sticks out! Valvoline Racing Oil (10W30) is $4.19/Qt here, Wix filters (Gold) are 4.99 at O'Reilly. 10 qts=41.90+4.99=46.89---how did we get to $128!!!!!! And $35 LABOR?!?!?! I'm sorry, but you got hammered and I can see why you needed to vent! And I can assure you the tech didn't see that $! Most Labor Guides show .2/.3 hr MAX for a LOF (lube,oil filter) and IF the tech is making $70/FRLH he made $21 MAX. What does the shop owner drive (besides his customers)???

[xracerbob]

Yes, but was the shipping more than $12?

[Jerry Clayton]

All right---what was the cost of the base plate for the 60s vintage carb? And rebuild kit? genuine Holley I hope---
Do you have a remote filter and oil cooler( AZ ) ?????
If they recalibrated the jetting/timing for the race gas did they install O2 sensor??? or run on a chassis dyno????
And was there possibly someone doing the race gas/ oil change while someone else was doing the carb/dist??????

I think you got a pretty reasonable total

These cars are difficult to work on, they actually take a mechanic, not a serviceman--you have a replica of a half million dollar car and you need to adjust your views of what it is going to cost to get someone to work on it

I wouldn't have done the work you described for that amount and my shop is located on planet Earth where I generally have both feet on the ground

[Jerry Clayton]

Isn't Scottsdale where the AUCTION is????

[jdog]

Originally Posted by GlynMeek

jdog...I also have a Porsche Turbo as my "sensible daily driver", but I am surprised you got STUCK with THAT differential on actuals vs estimate!!! Was it a 'dealership' that did the work?

Glyn

Yes it was a local Porsche dealer. The main issue revolved around replacing parts that were, or were not, covered on warranty. We finally negotiated a settlement somewhere in the middle and I sold the Porsche soon after. Had I requested a revised 'written' quote things would have been more clear. Lesson learned!

jdog

[double ugly]

Jerry, the quote of 350.00 was for a carb rebuild and putting the scope on the car to adjust the carb. No, it wasn't put on a chassis dyno. There was one guy doing the work and the fact remains that I was charged double the estimate for the service.

[madmaxx]

I quote "These cars are difficult to work on, they actually take a mechanic, not a serviceman--you have a replica of a half million dollar car and you need to adjust your views of what it is going to cost to get someone to work on it

I wouldn't have done the work you described for that amount and my shop is located on planet Earth where I generally have both feet on the ground"

These are the simplest cars on the planet to work on, no computer, no injectors, no MAF, it is equivalent to working on a 1965 model year, wait easier, they do not have points and condensor. Easy access to all engine components, Oil fiter and drain plug the easiest to access, geez, you should not own one of these cars if you cannot work on them.

[thudmaster]

Forgive me but I don't think it's because John can't afford to have his car worked on. This vent is because he feels he was done wrong. I can see his point and I don't have 20/20 vision anymore..........