Dodgy Service Mechanics - How not to get scammed

[Deactivated] on 12/04/2016 - 16:37

So around 10 months ago my parner got a call from Mazda in Artarmon who were servicing her car.
"We need to replace your windscreen wipers @ $99"
"Go ahead" she said.

Fortunately I was next to her and heard the conversation, and she must have known by the look of terror on my face that she had said the wrong thing.
Short story - she replaced the wipers with genuine Mazda wipers a short time later when she visited her mechanic brother in law in another part of the state. Total cost was less than a third of what Mazda quoted her.

Today she is having her car serviced again at Mazda in Artarmon - guess what they want to replace @ $99!!

The lesson is:
When getting your car serviced always check the lights yourself and the wiper blades befor you send it in.
I also check the tread on my tyres of my motorbike, because that is another easy money spinner for the dodgy operators.
When getting a pink slip - always check your number plate light before you take it in.

Automotive

Comments

  • airzone on 12/04/2016 - 16:50
    +5

    I got stung with a light bulb at a servo-based mechanic… Took a car to get a pink slip, they mentioned one of the parkers was out (no big deal, $2 to fix). It was either fail the pink slip and pay for another inspection (at $37ish) or have them fit the bulb (at $25).. Which they just picked up from the servo's shelf with a price marked $2.

    • Ryanek on 12/04/2016 - 17:12
      +22

      I'll never understand these dodgy mechanics. They make a quick buck today but lose a lot more down the line from a potential loyal customer.
      My mechanic has always treated me right so I always go to him first.

      • Janko on 12/04/2016 - 17:19
        +3

        Most people who get scammed don't realise it - I sort of envy those people.

        • captobvious on 15/04/2016 - 08:35
          +1

          My grandma gets scammed all the time. Mechanics, plumber, nbn, banks. I think people prey on old people because they just don't have a clue

        • SupeNintendoChalmers on 15/04/2016 - 09:50
          +3

          @captobvious: "NBN"

        • save my dollarydoos on 15/04/2016 - 21:42
          +1

          @captobvious:

          That sucks man, give me her phone number and I'll give her some help in stopping that from happening

        • vinni9284 on 17/04/2016 - 13:39

          NBN LOL …. I think we are all getting scammed with this paltry service IMO as all of the Telcos has their own issues with customer service, waiting times, drop-outs, outsourcing of call centres (understanding them over the phone)….etc.
          When you decide to change to another Telco, the costing model is to pay up front (if no contract)… and many people look only @ the download speed & data limit. But when you factor the upfront charges and divide that into a monthly charge coupled with your monthly fee, it practically works out very similar to your old plan.

          Cheers

        • Janko on 18/04/2016 - 04:55
          +1

          @vinni9284: Even download speeds are BS. My ISP, Exetel has 3 plans: up to 12Mbps, up to 25Mbps, up to 100Mbps, but they can't promise that if you go the 100Mbps plan that you'll get more than 12Mbps. If you don't, there's a plan change fee to drop plan.

        • vinni9284 on 18/04/2016 - 08:02
          +1

          @Janko: I hear you mate. Technically, you should opt out without paying an exit fee if you are not getting what you are paying for. But then you have to spend myriads of time on the phone, debating with call centre staff that you cannot understand …. several escalations up to technical faults team… etc… until you have to get the TIO involved.
          One thing that seems to always work very efficiently and promptly (with my Telco anyway) is that you receive your bill on time and very quickly.
          Now you have those online chat sessions that are good for nothing which uses generic sentences & questions and have very limited on authority to change anything (more outsourcing of local staff and jobs going offshore IMO … look at Optus)
          But then, with all the BS ads you get when you open a webpage, with all the video & banners ads etc that churn your bandwidth …. you feel like you back in the 90's with a 56K dial up speed, especially if you have the slowest Tier 1 - 12.5MPS!!!!
          Cheers

        • Janko on 18/04/2016 - 09:08

          @vinni9284: The issue is the ISP is simply charging on the speed change fee they claim they are charged from the wholesaler. That's the complexity of their business model - zero consideration as to what might be fair commerce. I get 20Mbps with ADSL2 which I'm too scared to lose as I can't go back to it if I stop it. And to think I am forced to go to NBN by Sep 2016.

        • vinni9284 on 19/04/2016 - 17:43

          @Janko: ISP's can use 1000's of excuses why they cannot provide a stable Mps due to their interdependent supplier (handball) business model however a service is a service. Regardless of what they claim if there are subjected any constraints or shaping of their bandwidth, they have to investigate and provide a response of the outcome. If this happened to me, I would connect my PC device via a direct ethernet connection and run SpeedTest. If it drops dramatically and doesn't display an Mbps that is close to their claims, I will opt out and demand no financial penalties.
          Another challenge for you (if not already) is when NBN installation starts to proceed on you house, be mindful that they place an ugly ~ 10cm w x 20 cm h White-coloured box (optical) & connecting White conduit that goes into the ground right in front of your house (that stands out like Dogs B*lls) unless you advise (well actually be firm) that you would like to install on the side of the house. They excavate the front lawn and damage your water tapping (that's what happened to my mums house) and do a crappy job. They also install an Electrical Box - sized WSC internally (usually inside the Garage or house) houses the Termination device and battery which is usually behind the external White Box.
          Ensure under no circumstances that they do not carry out the installation unless you are present.
          Please do some research on this.
          Cheers

        • Janko on 19/04/2016 - 20:20

          @vinni9284:

          It's FTTN in my area, so to my understanding, no ugly box - it should just come in via the existing copper cabling.

        • vinni9284 on 19/04/2016 - 21:36

          @Janko: You still get an ugly box. :-)

        • Janko on 20/04/2016 - 09:22

          @vinni9284: Damn, could they make any more mistakes?

        • vinni9284 on 21/04/2016 - 08:42

          @Janko: The key is awareness (as you have been briefly advised) and supervision of the whole installation process. However, they do stuff you around by promising dates of installation and don't show up. Please remember that you have to deal with two companies, the ISP and NBN where NBN performs the installation (and damage… if it happens). Usually there are three visitations required. The install of the Optical and the lovely White Box, the installation of the Termination device + Battery backup and thirdly the ISP technician that connects and tests. Fingers crossed that everything works smoothly. If not then make sure that you have a cordless phone (that is fully charged) so you can take with you around the house to wait tirelessly listening to elevator music with NBN Technical faults or have a unlimited mobile plan so you can take the phone with you, perform your shopping, go for a run .. dig up the back yard …. etc so at least you utilise your 2 hours effectively …. :-) …. "There are high level of calls .. an you would be answered by the next available operator … in 20 mins" …ISP/NBN customer service Formulae; 20mins = 2 hours
          Good luck.

          Cheers

      • airzone on 12/04/2016 - 17:32

        True, I had a bunch of other work that I was feeling lazy about doing at home and was going to get them to do. But not after that. I had recently moved, so my old mechanic was too far away.. Actually I lost a really good family doctor in the move too…

      • bb_hunter on 14/04/2016 - 21:06

        I once left my car at a mechanic near my work to get pink slip and service when I got my invoice I was shocked that they charged my $5 to oil my car door. I asked what kind of oil did he uses he said why I said better be top grade oil if you charged me $5 for a few drops. He didn't like my sarcastic comment and I was in a hurry so paid and never returned.

        • altomic on 15/04/2016 - 10:58

          name and shame. $5! that's ridiculous.

        • macrocephalic on 15/04/2016 - 14:44
          +5

          At $75/hour, that's 4 minutes of labour. Given that they identified that it needed doing, went and got a can of oil to do it off the shelf, and invoiced you for it, then I'd say they probably spent 4 minutes on it.

          Whether it was a wise use of time is another matter.

    • Euphemistic on 12/04/2016 - 19:25

      If you fail a pink slip, doesn't the same mechanic have to clear it for you in the same inspection fee? Assuming the time limit hasn't expired.

      • Burnz316 on 15/04/2016 - 05:38

        Yeah if it fails a pink slip you just have to fix the fault and return it to the mechanic who failed you. No extra cost. (Well that's how it was a few years ago when my girlfriend's car failed afew things)

        • MasterScythe on 19/04/2016 - 10:23

          Not in QLD, you pay again.

    • shiny1 on 14/04/2016 - 11:36

      Sucks to hear. My local mechanic, who is a good guy, replaced my bulb for free during a pink slip inspection.
      Different people everywhere, I guess.

  • StewBalls on 12/04/2016 - 17:00
    +15

    If you have an older car, always wash the engine down with degreaser not long before the inspection…if they question it, tell them you wash the engine bay down regularly, but you don't have any oil leaks! ;)

    • Mik on 14/04/2016 - 13:27
      +4

      Been there, done that. Spilled oil once while topping up, and inspector said I needed to replace head gasket which was 'clearly' leaking. My fault, for not cleaning it up, I guess. Took it down to self serve carwash and blasted Engine bay, took it back and it got passed.

      • kusama on 15/04/2016 - 09:14

        I got charged $15 for them to clean up the oil spill!

  • JimB on 12/04/2016 - 17:19
    +2

    Stealerships always ask you to change wipers, brake pads & discs and batteries very early. Big fat easy profit for them. I always say no and say I'll do it later.

    More often than not, they can still last a long time. VW said my brake pads & discs and batteries needing replacing during a service, I said no. next service 15,000km later, they told me the same thing! lol.. however the brakes still lasted another 10k. The battery I eventually replaced with an AC Delco another year later, the battery sounded a bit weak so I replaced it before I would need a jump start.

    I always replace the wipers myself. I always buy a brake pads and discs aftermarket (brakesdirect.com.au) and get another mechanic to fit it, I've done it in the past myself but can't be bothered anymore, I wouldn't even know where to begin to replace rear pads as my car has an electronic e-brake.

    I use to have a friend who worked at BMW and the employee price for parts was supercheap compared to the retail customer.

    Oh yeah, you can replace just the rubber blade of the aeroblade wipers. $15 vs $60 for Bosch or $100+ for genuine wipers.

    • airzone on 12/04/2016 - 17:41
      +1

      Stealerships always ask you to change …. brake pads & discs …. very early.

      My wife's Hyundai is 4yo / 27,000km. The front pads have about 2mm left and the rotors have 0.1mm left before hitting maximum wear… The rears have about another years use before hitting their factory limits. Damn, they must have been made out of cheese because on my old turbo Skyline, I got 3 times the life out of it despite the more aggressive driving style.. Dealer wants $900 per axle. I think not.

      • ChrisLevo on 12/04/2016 - 18:57
        +2

        Our mechanics (Adelaide) replaced all pads and worked on the rotors on our 2002 V6 Hyundai Sonata for around $600.
        They also suggest you get wiper blades from Supercheap and do your own for less than $10.

        Maybe we need a thread on good mechanics?
        If so, I vote Jaaz Automotive in Newton SA as our #1.

      • JimB on 12/04/2016 - 20:12
        +2

        That's crazy fast wear. But then again I don't tend to rate any Korean car products.

        You sure your wife isn't driving with 1 foot resting on the brake pads?

        I find that if you don't drive manual, you tend to be heavy on brakes.

        • airzone on 12/04/2016 - 20:53
          +3

          @JB1 Nah, I taught her how to drive so she knows to avoid riding the brakes… I think that the brakes are fighting against the torque converter while slowing down - and it's got quite a bit of push to it. And they're super soft… Probably so they can sell to you more often..

          @ChrisLevo $600 is quite good. Parts for the missus car are about $200 per axle including rda rotors, and probably a bit extra if I decide to bleed the brakes.

        • StewBalls on 13/04/2016 - 09:02
          +1

          @airzone: We went through the same thing with the wife's brakes, back rotors quite literally wore out before the pads.

          A local brake franchise replaced them for roughly a quarter of what the dealer quoted…take home message, shop around for everything first.

        • JimB on 13/04/2016 - 14:00

          @airzone:

          I prefer soft pads, better braking.

          Interestingly, a lot of people say that Euro cars have pads that wear out very quickly. Perhaps it's their driving style as I got over 100k out of the original front brakes from my Golf GTI… the rears were replaced at 90k.

      • WT on 13/04/2016 - 09:24

        I have been using undersized rotors for the past 10k klm, they were like 1mm under back then. Only now am i thinking about changing them. While i dont do any track work in this car, it does get driven on twisty roads

        Newer rotors are softer to give better braking at the expense of life. I prefer to use a cast iron rotor and a more aggressive pad to give better braking. You change pads slightly more but rotors a lot less. Good pads start at about 70 so not much more then comparable and cheaper then oem.

        • JimB on 13/04/2016 - 13:51

          These days I just buy good pads and cheap rotors and replace them both at the same time (Euro cars owner).

          The cost of machining the discs, assuming they can be machined makes it unviable these days.

        • Jackson on 16/04/2016 - 00:28

          @JB1: if we take the rotors off we used to get them machined for 5 bucks each.

          The problem is that these days some discs won't take machining after a single set! What's up with that?

        • JimB on 16/04/2016 - 14:06

          @Jackson:

          Probably softer compound rotors.

          $5! Bargain, prob a long time ago. The cost of labour has increased dramatically.

          Mechanics aren't likely to machine. Faster & more profit to just replace them. And as you said, by the time you machine them, they may undersized before the 2nd set of pads wear out.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2016 - 09:48

        @airzone

        Not sure how you wife drives but on my 2YO hyundai with 50,000km on the clock im still on the original pads and there probably another 15-20k left in them. Unless she drives a tuscon or santa fe which will wear quicker due to the weight.

        Even my kluger which is 2 tons doesnt wear this fast. Something must be wrong. Either driver or car

        • airzone on 15/04/2016 - 12:13

          ix35 - similar to tucson. ix35's have a poor reputation for fast brake wear.. Some people only get 15k out of them. The universal advice (even from some dealer mechanics - but never managers of course) is to use aftermarket brakes. My kia rio is just over 100k and is on original disks and second pads.

      • noz on 15/04/2016 - 23:58

        What type of Hyundai is it? I have an i30 2009 model. Has done 140,000 km, and still on original brakes!

      • beyondtool on 16/04/2016 - 14:56

        I read up some reviews that's pretty standard for Hyundai, they go through brakes like cheese.

    • inherentchoice on 13/04/2016 - 09:07

      Wiper refills are $8-9 at Kmart and supercheap. That's what I did.

    • tunzafun001 on 14/04/2016 - 19:23

      Use a green scour pad on your wipers..takes the scale off, comes up a treat.

      • JimB on 15/04/2016 - 10:06

        I'll give that a go next time before replacing them.

        Actually I may try it on the spare set I have. I didn't throw it out, kept it for the arm.

    • addicted on 15/04/2016 - 12:41
      +1

      lol for stealerships :)

  • spackbace on 12/04/2016 - 17:22

    Up next on Today Tonight…?

    • [Deactivated] on 12/04/2016 - 17:27
      +1

      Brady Halls with that special investigation, tomorrow night on ACA.
      Thanks for your company, good night.

    • StewBalls on 13/04/2016 - 08:52

      Sketchy car dealers…who'da thought, eh? ;)

      • spackbace on 13/04/2016 - 11:02
        +2

        Damn them!

        • StewBalls on 13/04/2016 - 12:21

          "I'm gonna burn them down, burn them down to the gwound". :)

  • Janko on 12/04/2016 - 17:27
    +1

    Took my car to a new mechanic to fix a fuel leak and faulty petrol gauge that started straight after another mechanic took 5 tries to do a routine fuel pump replacement. $3000 for a new fuel tank the new quote was. $70 part from ebay fixed both issues.

    I seriously don't know how not to get scammed apart from doing the work yourself or just going from one mechanic to the next until you find a keeper. I however was shocked at the $800 scheduled service I just had one that the windscreen wipers weren't replaced, despite seriously needing it.

    • airzone on 12/04/2016 - 17:34
      +1

      Do yourself a favour and get a good quality replacement set from a car parts shop.

  • Euphemistic on 12/04/2016 - 19:36

    Every time you go to the mechanics you should have an idea what is wrong with the car. Granted, it is difficult if you aren't mechanically minded, but there's less chance of getting ripped off if you know what is wrong. More than once I've done some intense googling to find out what the symptoms might indicate before taking it in. I often don't tell them I have an idea though, to make sure they are diagnosing properly.

    Not Checking your own lights, tyres, wipers is asking for trouble. They are easy to check (find a nice big window for checking the back lights using the reflection) and can save you big if you are gullible. Topping up your windscreen washer fluid is also a good way to miss the special stuff that isn't special they put in for the cost of an arm and leg.

    On the other side of thei coin I've had a dealership replace a fuse for nix once (think it was radio or lighter socket). I fried it a day or two before the service was due and mentioned I was aware of it but hadn't got to getting a new fuse yet. Up front I said if it was going to cost anything more than a few dollars I'd do it myself and they said no cost.

    • PVA on 12/04/2016 - 19:47

      our local dealer (Nissan) has also done work for free for us.
      4WD was in for a service, wife mentioned a rattle in the tailgate and also the rubber around the door not fitting right.
      Adjusted the tailgate and removed and refitted the door seals all for nix (vehicle wasnt under warranty.)
      Plus dropping my wife back home and picking her up when the thing is ready, all for the set price service.

      Honda has been the same, pretty happy with them and they have never tried to sell extras to my wife.

  • tj101 on 12/04/2016 - 21:52

    As a young woman who knows nothing about cars, I always went to K-mart auto, as did my friends. No big surprises, and they would kindly write me a list of things that would need doing next time. I figure they care about their reputation.

    • StewBalls on 13/04/2016 - 08:58
      +6

      Kmart Auto were good ~20-30 years ago when they were staffed by Kmart personnel…once they changed to a contract/franchise arrangement there was a huge paradigm shift in honesty & reliability.

      A family friend used to manage one back then, he bailed out when they offered him the franchise because the pressure to overservice customers off was too great. He ended up just going into small business for himself, he knew he could still make a decent living that way without sacrificing his integrity.

      • Jackson on 16/04/2016 - 09:09
        +1

        You just described my local mechanic. He told me some stories about head office, one was that they told him they now have this new tyre balancing that they wanted to sell for an extra $10 more each time you bought a tyre. He told them that they already balance the tyres (by law) for 10 bucks less and it works perfectly. When his numbers for the month showed that he wasnt selling enough of this new balancing they chewed him out even though the rest of his numbers were good and he had offered the balancing, but if anyone asked he was truthful about the include Ed balancing being enough.

    • hotpotato on 14/04/2016 - 13:43

      Those "list of things" is a way for them to get more money from you. Some of these are out of schedule. In one service, they asked me to change the brake fluid because it was on the "list of things" from the previous service. Being knowing not too much about mechanic, I said OK. On the next schedule service, brake fluid change was on the service book, and they replaced it as well. They charged the full service fee. The car has only traveled 3000KM since last service.

      They also recommended to replace the fuel filter because it was on the previous things to do. At a cost of $154 part + $57 labor. The same part cost less than $70 from supercheap auto, and $95 from genuine dealership parts. This fuel filter change was on the next schedule service in the service book so if you pay their full schedule service fee, you don't need to pay for the labor.

      They also rang me during the day to suggest to replace the air filter, which they had just done a "complete air filter clean" in the previous service (at extra cost, of course).

      So be careful what they put on the "list of things", and check your service schedule.

      An Ex-Kmart auto customer.

      • Jackson on 16/04/2016 - 09:12

        "Complete air filter clear" can only involved taking it out for a a few taps on the ground and blowing some air through it.

  • JOCKz on 13/04/2016 - 02:52
    +1

    Most people have no clue their getting ripped off, so as long as they feel their not being ripped off they wont care. Their is a reason why so many dodgy mechanics are still in business … you just have to suck it up and vote with your legs.

    @tj101 - Years ago a friend of mine was having her car serviced at K-mart auto. They had scammed her somewhere close to 3,000 before i told her to go to a local mechanic i trusted. $200 later and the car was fine. I'm not sure on the specifics and what was replaced (or if anything) by the Kmart auto monkeys. But 3,000 to me by any stretch should fix any problem a car is having.

    This was 15 years back, I wont even look twice at kmart auto now. Even if they were selling the cheapest tyres around, tbh i'd spend the extra and go elsewhere.

    • pufffdragon on 14/04/2016 - 12:37
      +1

      I got stung by Kmart auto also. Car was playing up bad and they needed a few days to fix it. Everyday they would ring up and say you will need new brake pads and new this and that. Finally got my car back and lived about 2 km from home and the car didn't even make it back.

      Turns out they fixed everything but the big hole in the engine. Somehow they missed that. And because my car broke down on a hill and I parked in the only spot available, which was on the opposite side of the road, the police fined me twice in one day for parking there. I even left a big friendly note on the car saying it will be towed ASAP, but no, they fined me again.

      So overall this cost me around $3000. A God damn nightmare.

    • macrocephalic on 14/04/2016 - 14:02
      +2

      $3k should be an entire engine or auto transmission rebuild. $3k in repairs would write off half the cars on the road.

  • inherentchoice on 13/04/2016 - 09:11
    +2

    I once crashed my car and had it repaired at the mechanic for free. I crashed it by going at 5km/h and the number plate got a bit mangled on the tow bar of the car in front. They just got the apprentice to hammer out the number plate with a rubber mallet and they didn't charge me anything.

    • AJW on 13/04/2016 - 10:55

      How good looking are you people getting freebies? :)

      • inherentchoice on 13/04/2016 - 12:33
        +2

        I think the mechanic was just honest and recognises the value of long term customers and word of mouth recommendations. I'm still single and dateless haha.

    • save my dollarydoos on 15/04/2016 - 21:46

      Probably cheaper getting him to do that than screwing up a transmission or engine elsewhere

  • Crabshack on 13/04/2016 - 09:25

    I think that servicing and repair of cars should be done by 2 separate companies. This removes the conflict of interest from the servicing people dreaming up imaginary repairs in order to grow their business at your expense.

  • WT on 13/04/2016 - 09:33

    Find it funny you only check your bike tyres before getting a pink slip. I check mine before every ride and set them to the road temps im expecting. Granted at my worst i went through a set every 4 weeks for the road and a set 2 days on the track till worn past markers.

    • macrocephalic on 14/04/2016 - 14:05
      +1

      4 weeks? You must have sue soft tyres. I've always gotten about 15k out of my tyres.

      • WT on 14/04/2016 - 15:50

        soft, but you can get softer. Knee down wears tyres. There are vids on yt of me dragging knee even at night.

        after a new shock I could get 6 weeks from a rear but never got much better then 5 from a front. Thats nearly a 50% increase in life and at $550 a set it makes a difference over the years.

        a riding buddy didnt check his pressures, wore a set out in 2 weeks! A couple of psi too high and teh rear can start moving around too much and only get worse from there.

        • Seiko on 15/04/2016 - 13:23
          +3

          Your fully sick man! No chicken strips for you. You #1!

        • Jackson on 16/04/2016 - 09:18

          I have had 3 motorcycles and only changed 1 set of tyres ever over 10 years and I rode daily up to 80km. I must have been doing it wrong?

  • jagboy on 13/04/2016 - 10:39
    +4

    I took my car in for service at a major department store chain not so long ago. Received a phone call from service manager saying that all four tyres required replacement as 'while had plenty of tread depth they were old and beginning to crack on the side walls and as such posed a severe safety hazard' Hmm I thought. Replaced all four Michelin tyres only 3 months ago and have done about 1 500 km. Collected vehicle and drove immediately to the outlet where said tyres were fitted. Explained the situation and showed them the written report. Up on the hoist - nothing wrong with the tyres at all. Moral of the story is don't believe enything you are told without first getting a second and independent opinion.

    • atlant on 13/04/2016 - 11:19
      +2

      would not call it "independent opinion" :-)

      • Euphemistic on 13/04/2016 - 16:27

        Sounds like he rang the wrong customer. Someone else got out of there with an unsafe car and no warning.

        • jagboy on 14/04/2016 - 10:28

          Showed him the written report. My name, my rego number so no mistake on their behalf just a blatant attempt to rip off the consumer.

      • jagboy on 14/04/2016 - 10:30

        Perhaps you are correct but considering the tyres were only 3 months old I wasn't about to go to another tyre outlet where no doubt I would have been charged for an inspection.

  • ihbh on 14/04/2016 - 11:42

    I've been getting my pink slip at Kmart Tyre and Auto. They've been great and there hasn't been any additional BS charges. However, this year with baby arriving and being short of time I went to another one at North Ryde that could fit me in before the rego was due. Went to watch a movie while waiting for them to do the work and got a call - BAM ~$100 extra for wiper blades and lights; I paid up because I couldn't be bothered to take the car back.

    So now I've put a repeating reminder in my diary for next year.

  • KaTst3R on 14/04/2016 - 11:59

    I have to be honest, my wife cant figure out how to get the new wipers onto the car, it is hilarious. It is a 5 second job for me but it is worth $99 bucks if you got no freaking clue.

    • wtfnodeal on 14/04/2016 - 12:06
      +1

      Supercheap can fit them for her for like $15? Not cheap at least better than paying $99!

      • KaTst3R on 14/04/2016 - 13:07

        $15 is still too expensive just for fitting in wipers ! IMO no real skill involved but somehow women (or my wife only) just dont get it !

        • wtfnodeal on 14/04/2016 - 14:25

          Put my wife on the list too. Does your wife know how to fit and remove a baby car seat? How to fuel up the car or even check if the tank is empty? Has she ever washed her car? Check the tyre pressure? Or even put seat belt on without having you to remind her every time?

        • KaTst3R on 14/04/2016 - 15:07
          -1

          @wtfnodeal:

          Sounds like a very comprehensive "Too complex for (some) women" check list !

  • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2016 - 12:36
    -4

    Thanks OP, in other news, water is wet

  • ATangk on 14/04/2016 - 13:24

    If its extra work, then it shouldnt be that much more. But if theres no other job, and just something minor, there has to be some labour fee.

    • Euphemistic on 14/04/2016 - 15:46

      This is true, but if the added fee includes a stupid tax or a lazy tax or the work has been carried out without giving the owner a chance to say no then it's a rort.

  • Tombf2g on 14/04/2016 - 13:31
    +1

    Peter Stevens Motorcycles told me I had a damaged tube and added a new tube to the bill when getting tyres replaced on my supermoto. Bit strange being that they are TUBELESS WHEELS AND TYRES. I called them out so hard for trying to screw me. It was great.

    • macrocephalic on 14/04/2016 - 14:10
      +1

      That's when it's appropriate to yell it at the top of your lungs to make sure that every customer in there hears it. There are too many dodgy mechanics out there.

      I have a relative who manages the service department for a major dealer and his bonus is about as much as the full time salary for a minimum wage earner - that's just his cut on all the extra crap they sell to unsuspecting customers who probably don't need it.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2016 - 16:47

      I had bad experiences with Peter Stevens too.

      Had a small mishap on the driveway. The tank had a 10mm dent from a post. Brought it in to see if they can suck out the dent.

      Was called a day later to see my rims severely buckled. I rode the damn bike in, I know those weren't my rims.

      I shelled out for a new set. Not going to be a repeat sucker.

      (I regret not taking the buckled rims home. I bet some other sucker is got the same call.)

  • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2016 - 16:43

    You are not getting scammed. You may be getting ripped off.

    You are only being scammed if you paid for something and got something else.

    Having said that, a lot of people that claim to be "loyal" customers tend to only be loyal to the lowest price. When it comes to retail items, I am guilty of it too.

    • takutox on 15/04/2016 - 09:27

      Overpaying for something exactly as described can also be called getting scammed. However in this case it's an obvious scam as even with new windscreen wipers they pushed again to change them.

      • save my dollarydoos on 15/04/2016 - 23:49
        -3

        Couldn't disagree with you more. Especially in this day and age.

        You agreed to pay for something and you received exactly what you asked for / what was described / what you needed.

        If you were too effing stupid and/or lazy to ring around for multiple quotes or put type something to the tune of "OMG MY GEARBOX IS BROKEN!!! WAH :(( - ANYONE HOW MUCH $$$$ OR KNOW A MECHANIC???? THX!! :)" into your Facebook status and just agreed to whatever the first number was thrown at you then it's entirely on you.

        Admit you didn't didn't do your research and you overpaid as a result. Do you also blame the expensive price tag on that TV at Harvey Norms for not telling you about that cheaper price tag at JB?

        Whinging to everyone you know that "you were scammed/cheated" implies you were deliberately mislead or got something you didn't ask/agree to which just isn't true.

        People like that are a bigger part of the problem than the overcharging mechanic. At least he has the excuse that he runs the business with all its overhead and hopes he has enough at the end to provide for his family.

        You are low hanging fruit that deserves to get picked.

        If more people spent just 5-10 minutes on goddam google,prevented themselves from being overcharged and opted for best price/service then maybe that price/service would be encouraged elsewhere through competition.

        • takutox on 16/04/2016 - 10:44
          +1

          First of all his windscreen wipers were new - he was asked by them for a second time with new wipers. The mechanic was trying to scam anyone they could in this situation. It appears you have basic reading comprehension issues.

          Second of all, your analogies are terrible - please do not attack a strawman. Never did I say overpaying for something at HN is getting scammed. However, I DID say that overpaying for something CAN be a scam. In the future, please avoid employing logical fallacies such as this.

          In a perfect world, everyone would know everything about everything. It is probably extremely surprising to you that there are areas in which you are not fully educated in the price or nibbles of, and of which a Google Search will not suffice, and yes - you were scammed. The intention of the person selling it to you was to overcharge you, to scam you. I never mentioned anything about blaming either party. I also never said the party could not be gullible.

          For example, you just posted a thread because you were new to eBay, and scammed yourself with postage and insurance (I doubt you even know what insurance covers and why it wouldn't protect you from your SNAD case). Guess your Google didn't help there even with eBay being one of the most popular sites on the internet. If you can't even google that yourself and have to post on ozb sounding like a newbie and taking newbie actions what makes you think people hiring a tradie have a chance when they're talking about flux capacitors and extra labour because of house layout or another problem that came up that will cost X dollars etc. You cannot google a lot of things, nor do you always have a lot of time to decide - it requires deeper knowledge of the field (every job can be very different). People are not experts at everything. Multiple quotes don't safeguard against every situation (nor does it ensure you arent being screwed over by all of them). It also says nothing of things that 'pop up' during the job like most of the people in this thread have experienced.

        • save my dollarydoos on 16/04/2016 - 12:45

          @takutox:

          I wasn't referring to OP at all nor having a go at you - clearly his situation is different.

          I was referring to those who simply eat the first price up and agree to pay for something they need/want, end up getting exactly just that then saying they were scammed instead of overpaying and not admitting some of the fault.

          In that Ebay thread - I asked a liked minded community for advice on how to proceed from a particular point while I still had the item in my hand. I also admit to making a mistake with the postage calculation that I'll learn from.

          And finally an apology - I had more than a few last night and was probably thinking my post came across more of comical rant than the antagonistic reply.

  • turboboris on 14/04/2016 - 16:53
    +1

    As an ex-mechanic. I will warn you against any throttle body flushes, AC cleaning and power steering flush. Where I worked we called these "wallet flushes" and our service advisors got huge bonuses on them.

    In saying that so is paint protection, electronic rust units and pretty much all aftermarket accessories fitted at new.

  • jekel on 14/04/2016 - 21:14

    lol yep Peter Stevens Melb CBD…….dodgy brothers for sure. Took my motorbike there for rwc and I knew the batter was too old and barely held charge. They wanted $330!! I laughed and said that is crazy and he said he would look after me give me 10% off and make it $300 then.

    I told them no don't worry I'll go buy one, was in a hurry so got one at battery stop for $125 I think which is still bit of a rip, pity couldn't wait to order one online for cheaper. Then I called them and PS wanted $60 to install where I laughed again and said wheel my bike out I'll install it and wheel it back in for you.

    At that point he laughed and said don't worry about it we will install it free for you……………if this was my first motorbike might not have known but 4th bike at that time and lucky and learnt to do a few things myself.

    • macrocephalic on 15/04/2016 - 14:49

      To be fair, genuine Yuasa batteries cost a fortune, not $330, but $200+. They're not worth it, but they charge it. My $75 ebay batteries last 2-3 years.

  • eneloop on 14/04/2016 - 21:33
    +1

    I recently had the headlight oil and wiper fuel changed in my car I felt like I got a good deal

  • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2016 - 02:28

    I've had huge arguments precisely with the service people at Mazda Artarmon.

    After all arguments and mucking around - one day I give them a call and ask for them to let me know how much I spent with them last financial year for tax purposes.

    Offered to identify myself or send an email. I got the same woman manager who told me the only way I could get that information was to come in to their service building.

    I emailed the head of service at that time Jarrad Czapla who gave me a long winded email about privacy and security but admitted defeat when he realised it would have been weird for some random person to want to know that kind of information which can't be used for any gain and sent me the information electronically.

    I also had the same old phone calls regarding wiper blades etc and at that time there was a Repco down the road which I knew had my wiper blades for $12 which took around…. 20 seconds to fit.

    They definitely used some hard pressure tactics to make extra $$

  • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2016 - 02:38

    There are plenty of other things you can do as well - if they tell you there's a faulty part that needs replacing and it's a gazillion dollars - I always say to them - I'm coming in to take a look I'll be there in 15 minutes - then based on their reaction I decide whether or not to do it.

    I also tell them I want to keep the faulty part that they are taking out - that way if they claim I have a blown head gasket I tell them to give me the old one which can prove that it really was blown etc

    I've had horror stories where I asked a mechanic to diagnose a problem so I can take the car somewhere else. They diagnosed it and gave me a report and told me it was a problem with XYZ. I then said "Ok now I want you to fix it" and the guy had a shocked face - did the work to "fix" the problem and the problem remained.

    He wouldn't release my car I had to call police and muck around and managed to get a refund for his diagnosis but ended up footing the bill for the "fix" he did.

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