AndyK,

I know the feeling - since moving I no longer have access to a garage so I cannot do my own work. Every time I take my car to the mechanic the bill is at least $500. The $60 to replace the distributor cap seems very excessive however.

 

andy look at it this way, bumper shocks on ebay can be had for $15... easily. then add at MOST 1 hr of labor... $75 or so. so maximum, that job should cost $100... thats IF you actually needed it. find the biggest book you can, and knock their(the greedy crooks) heads off with it.

-Michael-

 

With the distributor cap, he complained that one of the bolts was stripped and stuck, so he had to drill it out and put in a new bolt when he changed the cap. That is minor stuff that is semi-justifiable...it took him time to do that, and the part that should have been $40 was $60. No big deal.

The $630 bill IS a big deal though! I was expecting $250 at most! He charged me $8 to clean the engine, and $15 to "trace" the oil leak. This crap adds up pretty fast I guess!

 

AndyK:
Is the mechanic in question a supporter of PCA - NNJR? Do they advertise in Porsche4us?

If so, please email me and I will bring this up at the next NNJR Board of Gov's meeting.

If they do not associate with PCA, then I suggest you look into finding a mechanic that is involved with PCA.

Here's a good example why this would be helpful to you: last time I was at Watkins Glen, my clutch was acting funny. Mike, my mechanic, happened to be there with his crew. At the end of the first day, the two of them bled my clutch right on the spot! The bill? His answer, "No charge, but we like Coors Light." A 12-pack and they called it even. Now that's service.

BTW: Mike is the co-owner of Powetech. (shameless plug). They have NEVER done work without first called me to consult with. Even if it's a $1.25 bolt that needs to be replaced.

Andy: you are getting ripped off. Sure, your mechnics labor rate is reasonable, IF they only do work that is necessary and don't take their sweet time doing it.

Powertech can be reached at 973-586-3210. (Yes, I know their number by heart! )

-Z.

 

Z--Not sure if they are PCA supporters. Right now, I just want a fair bill...but I know I'm gonna hear "you never know what you are getting on ebay, and it took that long because the X was missing the Y and Z.."

In other words, I have no recourse!

Where is Powertech?

 

Powertech:
311 West Main Street, Rockaway, NJ.

It's about 40 minutes drive for me (Wayne, NJ), mapquest says it's a 24 minute drive from Madison, NJ to Rockaway, NJ.

-Z.

 

Thing is, are they near a train? My wife wont drive me back and forth from a mechanic--specially after THIS latest hit!

 

not wanting to raise your pressure even more, but.

I dont care what you get off ebay. used is used is used. who gives a rats **** if they are leaking. the cap price is about right. the cap from sunset was 60 list, 36 cost. what about the rotor? my cap was cracked for 17 of the 18k i owned the car.

you have recourse. bitch about the price of the used part.

 

Andy, for reference, I just won a NEW bumper shock for $4.99 on ebay. It should take me about 10 minutes to replace since I already hve the old one out. This guy is screwing you over, there's no way you should pay that bill.

Also, I'm not exactly sure how these things could leak. They're a sealed unit, and even when they're compressed (from a collision) no fluid comes out.

 

my buddy keeps telling me the word poor is in porsche for a reason

 

i think he is blowing smoke up your ****. talk about becoming a repeat customer and all that crap. mention the other pca members you hang out with that are looking for a mechanic, etc. watch the bumper shock bill disappear. but do it now while your adrenaline is going. just make sure you dont yell.

if you calm down you will wuss out, and be pissed later. ask me how i know!!

 

I am REALLY pissed now! I see them on ebay for $10! When this guy said "i'll take one out of my parts car", I assumed it would be either free, or very cheep!

At minimum, I want $100 taken off that bill. No way will I pay $125 for two used bumper shocks!

 

Having been a professional wrench in another lifetime, I can tell you that in NC, if they do unauthorized work, past what you agreed to have done, you are not obligated to pay for it. That authorization has to be in writing too. I'm with the guys who recommend another wrench that is PCA.

 

So if I go back there to pick the car up, and tell them "no way I'm paying that much for these parts...etc", what's to stop them from saying "that's what it costs, tough"?

 

Around here a mechanic would be 'kneecapped' for less than that.