$280 Oil Change on an Old Honda - Did I Get Ripped off?

btst7000 on 20/05/2019 - 15:24
Last edited 20/05/2019 - 15:52

Edit: Copy of the invoice for the curious (details removed)

My missus took her old Honda to get serviced. She's a youngish girl, so I'm a bit worried that she was taken advantage of. I told her to go to an indy who had served me well before.

For an oil change (and general inspection, i.e. pointing out brakes are getting low and timing belt is due soon):
1 hour labour ($150)
Oil filter ($30)
Oil (~$80)
"Workshop fee" ($15)
Oil disposal fee ($15)

So she paid $280 for just an oil change.

Did we get ripped off?

Canberra area for reference.

Poll Options expired

  • 398
    Ripped off
  • 9
    Fair deal
  • 2
    Value deal
Automotive

Comments

  • Seedy seed on 20/05/2019 - 15:26
    +39

    Lol $80 for oil, what did they put in it? Also who pays $150 a hour for a mech, hes not your lawyer…

    Go see your mechanic and tell him "i know shes a young lady but your having a wank here mate.."

    • Wystri Warrick on 20/05/2019 - 15:52
      +4

      Go see your mechanic and tell him "i know shes a young lady but your having a wank here mate.."

      Username checks out!

      Jokes aside, you're right, op's missus got ripped off :(.

    • chumlee on 20/05/2019 - 17:17
      +1

      Olive oil

      • Seedy seed on 20/05/2019 - 18:15
        +5

        Lol thats only $20-40 for 4l 😂 still ripped off

    • Spam Service on 23/05/2019 - 08:09

      Here is the same spec oil oil used (semi-synthetic 10W-40) for $24 - and that leaves 700ml for top-ups.

      Mechanics usually buy in bulk so they don't get specials, but they do get bulk prices. The probably buy something like this for common grades - a 205 litre drum for $1,720. That would put the price of 4.3 litres at $36.

      The mechanic has upped the price by 120%

    • Grish on 23/05/2019 - 16:37

      Yep he's definately having a wank, and the sheer audacity in actually charging a young girl to dump his oil is also a disgrace..

  • dcep on 20/05/2019 - 15:26
    +7

    kmart $179

    • LSGH on 21/05/2019 - 14:25

      local garages in QLD charge $170ish as well

  • Ten on 20/05/2019 - 15:36
    +7

    Name and shame. I've dealt with a few dodgy mechanics in canberra.

    • btst7000 on 20/05/2019 - 15:37
      +3

      Are we allowed to name on ozb?

      • Ten on 20/05/2019 - 15:38
        +1

        dunno. flick me a pm if you want

      • MagicMushroom on 20/05/2019 - 15:55
        +7

        I don't see the reason why not

        • btst7000 on 20/05/2019 - 21:21
          +30

          Garage on wignall.

          • kriddy on 21/05/2019 - 21:42

            @btst7000: Do a search on the name ‘pra czap pty ltd’ from the eftpos receipt and it says who they are

    • boomramada on 20/05/2019 - 16:00
      +1

      NCM is one, quoted me one, invoice me $200 more, I challenged them and they automatically wiped out some items. LOL

  • btst7000 on 20/05/2019 - 15:37
    +29

    Wow, I really trusted these guys. Feeling a bit pissed now. Might leave a google review or something.

    • Ten on 20/05/2019 - 15:38
      +13

      I definitely would. Even a facebook review if their presence is bigger on social media.

    • Wystri Warrick on 20/05/2019 - 15:56
      +17

      Yes, I'd definitely leave a review.
      I leave reviews on Google maps, whether the business was good or bad, this way the good businesses thrive and the bad ones well they either change or go out of business.

    • Spam Service on 23/05/2019 - 07:57
      +1

      Before you leave a review, just call them. If they know you're unhappy they might do something to remedy that situation. If they don't, you're no worse off.

      My local mechanic once charged for power steering fluid - in my car without power steering. He was very apologetic and gave a 50% refund off the total bill. Sometimes mistakes are made - like, hopefully, charging $80 for oil. That should have been enough for 4 oil changes.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/05/2019 - 15:39
    +17

    Why didn't you do the good boyfriend thing and service the car for her? Old hondas are not hard to service

    • btst7000 on 20/05/2019 - 15:45
      +16

      Ha, I offered. She didn't mind paying a mechanic to do it. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

      • Charity on 20/05/2019 - 19:50
        +2

        Does she mind now? What will she do in the future? What will you? :D

      • Thundaja on 20/05/2019 - 19:54
        +61

        Looks like you dropped this mate:
        \

        • Charity on 21/05/2019 - 15:40

          Just to clarify, is that his bicep or man sausage?

        • giventofly on 22/05/2019 - 08:52
          +3

          Well, the oil change did cost an arm and a leg.

  • k-rokfm on 20/05/2019 - 15:40

    Do you have a copy of the invoice that you could put up here (blanking out revealing details?)

    Also interested to know who it was? Was it a big name dealer or just a general mechanic?

    • btst7000 on 20/05/2019 - 15:52
      +1

      Hey here's the invoice.

      https://imgur.com/a/aupUz1Q

      $287… I'm frothing.

      • Hybroid on 20/05/2019 - 16:06

        Expensive but not really rip off (except labour maybe) unless it's way more than you were quoted. What did they quote?

        • Ahbal on 21/05/2019 - 14:36
          +12

          mate….80 for oil and 150 for 1 hour labor is a massive ripoff.

          • payless69 on 22/05/2019 - 14:37

            @Ahbal: semi synthetic is worth close to nothing as no specs are given.
            Generally it pays to give written instructions, looks like she paid for other checks and it they were needed well too bad next time either do it yourself or find a more reasonable mecho.

      • MagicMushroom on 20/05/2019 - 16:10

        You forgot to hide one thing. Close to Westfield right?
        You might want to cover that up too if you don't want people finding out the place.

        • k-rokfm on 20/05/2019 - 16:23

          There are plenty of mechanics around belconnen

          • MagicMushroom on 20/05/2019 - 16:32

            @k-rokfm: I'm purposely giving vague location because OP probably doesn't want to disclose the location. Have a close look at the receipt if you want to find out.

      • birnie on 20/05/2019 - 20:01
        +1

        $200-ish from a dealer is probably around the norm isn't it?
        I copped it it a few years in a brand new car but as soon as warranty was over, see ya !
        Now approx $50 for full synthetic and filter…and check everything else of course.
        The best thing about doing it yourself is not loosing half a day while your car-less and waiting.
        Man I hated that.

        Oh, that's why i wanted to comment.
        High 2's for the price…ok, but oil was $80 ! Wow, but semi synthetic?!
        C'mon, at lest do full…

        They could have at least fudged 2hrs at $75 aswell to tally the same, and you wouldn't be so peesed.
        Maybe they'll say it was 2 guys for one hour.

        • vietbargain on 21/05/2019 - 08:23
          +2

          Probably takes 15 mins tops to complete an oil change, 30 mins if you're noob at it.

          • TerryJustTerry on 21/05/2019 - 08:37
            +1

            @vietbargain: 1 hour if you are me….

          • payless69 on 22/05/2019 - 14:39

            @vietbargain: but to determine the battery capacity is cumbersome if one wants to know for sure and if not ordered I would demand a $100 refund!

      • aussieolfaction on 21/05/2019 - 10:51

        The cost charged for labour seems unreasonable to me. Just give them a call and talk to them about it?

      • sasukewa on 21/05/2019 - 14:42
        +1

        It takes 15 min to do an oil change and I'm not even a mechanic.

        For $89 it should be full synthetic oil, not semi.

        About $130 is a fair price. Semi synthetic oil only cost $40 at most. Labour say 20min should be no more than $50.

        • ATangk on 22/05/2019 - 01:05
          +1

          Its normal to have a min 1 hr charge for labour.

      • CMH on 21/05/2019 - 16:40
        +2

        Didn't even include a blinker fluid change!

      • AlanHB on 21/05/2019 - 18:05
        +1

        Just to confirm - was this a 200k service? Or just an oil change?

        • btst7000 on 21/05/2019 - 21:55

          She asked for an oil change only

          • AlanHB on 22/05/2019 - 15:45
            +1

            @btst7000: I just ask because the invoice notes state $200k service. If this is the case, price may be reasonable.

      • Leeroy Jenkins on 22/05/2019 - 09:58

        WOW! $86 and it's not even full synthetic? Full synthetic premium grade oil doesn't even cost that much.

        (profanity) that guy. I wouldn't give him business again.

        EDIT: also on the invoice no other service is specified, so $150 labour was basically screwing her over IMO.

  • Gronk on 20/05/2019 - 15:44
    +46

    Wouldn't it be easier to just wait a few days and call up asking for a quote for the same work on the same make / model of vehicle? If you get quoted a different figure then you have your answer and can proceed from there.

    • boomramada on 20/05/2019 - 15:56
      +6

      I'm not sure why someone negative you, nothing wrong with getting a quote for servicing.

      • Gronk on 20/05/2019 - 18:35
        +2

        Meh, who knows, I thought the intention of that comment would be pretty clear but obviously not for everyone…

  • boomramada on 20/05/2019 - 15:54

    and is it NCM? Did you ask them for quote before?

    • btst7000 on 20/05/2019 - 15:59
      +2

      Nope. Missus didn't ask for a quote but specified that she wanted an oil change only.

      • boomramada on 20/05/2019 - 16:00
        -8

        Issue is with Missus then :)

      • boomramada on 21/05/2019 - 11:12

        I'm not talking a stab at your missus,

        She services her car at Belconnen, ACT, that's like high end area on top of Canberra TAX plus there is this convenient factor.

        There are plenty of el chepo car services at Fyshwick/Mitchell etc.
        I don't think it is a issue of "taken advantage of Missus" or "rip off".

        It is expensive, true, but rip off, don't think so.

        Asking for oil change doesn't mean just changing the oil, it inc service.

        Next time, not just for oil change, anything else in life, get a quote, don't we hate bill shocks.
        Life lesson.
        And you can negative me LOL :)

  • mbck on 20/05/2019 - 15:55

    is this the honda dealership? never go to a dealership

    • btst7000 on 20/05/2019 - 15:58

      No, it's an indy shop.

  • dcep on 20/05/2019 - 16:15
    +14

    http://www.thegarageonwignall.com/

  • qwerty on 20/05/2019 - 16:22
    -6

    Depending on the car it can take around 5 to 8l of oil so its not really a ripoff for $80 on oil

    https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/castrol-castrol-magnatec…

    $30 for a filter is also reasonable if it is a decent brand you can check yourself what filter they used

    Only real issue is the workshop fee , "disposal fee" and the hourly rate which they should have told her before doing the job

    • stumo on 20/05/2019 - 17:49
      +7

      its says 4.3l for semi synthetic on teh invoice, for $85, thats a ripoff in anyones language.

      • qwerty on 20/05/2019 - 20:57

        Didnt see it was only 4.3l since they are buying it with a business discount from repco they probably made $60+ on the oil alone

        • brendanm on 20/05/2019 - 22:05
          +9

          They don't "buy it with a business discount for Repco", they would buy it 400-500l at a time from the distributor.

          • pegaxs on 20/05/2019 - 23:09
            +2

            @brendanm: Can confirm. We buy oil in either 205l drums or get the storage tank filled. Most workshops would do the same and buy it in bulk from a distributor.

      • Lexan on 21/05/2019 - 13:27

        Full synthetic cost even less than. Even better when on special half price. Probably mechanic only paid $10~$15 for half synthetic

  • dtc on 20/05/2019 - 16:29

    Its not just an oil change, there were a bunch of tests done. So thats probably 30-40 minutes of labour.

    5L of semi synthetic oil at autobarn is about $45, so thats a bit of a mark up but not astronomical.

    Workshop supply is a bit much

    Waste Management fee - there is a charge for disposal. I doubt its $15 for 5L but there is some overhead etc.

    As other comments are mentioned, the equivalent service is $179 at KTAS. So thats the baseline.

    • aussieolfaction on 21/05/2019 - 10:54
      +7

      Its not just an oil change, there were a bunch of tests done. So thats probably 30-40 minutes of labour.

      The invoice linked to above shows that the labour is 1 unit, meaning an hour. $150 an hour for a mechanic to change oil in an old Honda? I also don't understand why were a "bunch of tests" done, because the lady asked only for the oil to be changed, and nothing else.

      This is a rip-off.

      • John Kimble on 21/05/2019 - 14:13

        because the lady asked only for the oil to be changed, and nothing else.

        Source?

        • aussieolfaction on 21/05/2019 - 15:22
          +1

          Source?

          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/7288063/redir

          Also, there's the title of this thread.

          • Ace Ventura on 21/05/2019 - 18:31

            @aussieolfaction: but the body of the OP says

            For an oil change (and general inspection, i.e. pointing out brakes are getting low and timing belt is due soon):

            It's a bit high, but not as bad as it's being made out to be.

            • aussieolfaction on 21/05/2019 - 20:21

              @Ace Ventura: My understanding is that the mechanic wasn't asked to do the extra stuff. I am therefore not sure if it's fair to purportedly do something more, and then charge $280 to essentially change engine oil and filter. It's a rip-off.

              • Ace Ventura on 21/05/2019 - 20:33
                +1

                @aussieolfaction: the original post says

                For an oil change (and general inspection, i.e. pointing out brakes are getting low and timing belt is due soon).

                However, I would argue that the word "service" was in initial converstions with the mechanic, and is being omitted now. I'm speculating of course, I just don't see any established business would be dumb enough to complete work without prior discussions.

                I should add, I do think he over payed, just not by as much as others are suggesting. I'd say it's on the upper end of the scale, but not ridiculously excessive.

                • aussieolfaction on 21/05/2019 - 20:38

                  @Ace Ventura: You're correct, we could only speculate. I'd say that it's a rort if it were just an oil change, and not terribly bad if it were indeed a service where all the other items were taken care of (I've my doubts about this as the labour charge has been levied only for an hour).

                  • Ace Ventura on 21/05/2019 - 20:55

                    @aussieolfaction: I've been questioning that one as well. 1.5 hours wouldn't be excessive if the service items were all checked, some of them can be fiddly, wheels off for brake checks takes time. And That would bring the hourly down to a more acceptable $100 an hour.

                    Possible he just calculated it in his head and typed it in without editing the quantity field.

                    Questions the OP should be asking the workshop I guess. He said he had used them before, so the hourly should be the same as previous visits, unless there really is a female customer mark up going on. Which is just asking for trouble.

      • Greihawk on 22/05/2019 - 23:25

        Nowhere on the invoice is it written that one unit is equal to an hour, my guess would be that it is an manual entry of $150 with a quantity of 1.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/05/2019 - 16:31
    -5

    and people say european cars are expensive to service………..
    i think the most i paid to to a basic oil change service on my Golf R at an independent workshop was $250

    • Presence on 20/05/2019 - 16:49
      +6

      If you took your golf to this mechanic you'd probably be charged $500…

      • Ocker on 20/05/2019 - 19:06
        +2

        With a Merc you would be happy if it was only $500 - try $600 plus

  • Euphemistic on 20/05/2019 - 16:43
    -2

    When you look at the itemized items it seems pricey, but not exorbitant. 1hr labour seems reasonable. The right amount of oil listed etc.

  • SydEng on 20/05/2019 - 16:55

    My dad took his Civic for an oil change and it cost him $120, My BMW 320i oil change is $250. You've definitely got dudded mate.

    • kronicmacstigator on 20/05/2019 - 20:24
      +3

      The f**k? Mate… MANN are $8-18 if you know where. Grab some good Helix and you are good to go. A 320i is hardly a performance car so should be just slightly more than the Civic

      • Changskies on 21/05/2019 - 09:59
        +3

        320i = literally camry

        • bmerigan on 21/05/2019 - 21:46
          +1

          Literally?

        • SydEng on 22/05/2019 - 14:28

          Nah mate, my seats are leather

          • 4tran on 22/05/2019 - 23:42
            +1

            @SydEng: there are camry with leather seats..

  • c64 on 20/05/2019 - 17:00
    +1

    hear's your bill sir! could you please bend over …

  • loropy9 on 20/05/2019 - 17:10

    I think it's a bit expensive for a regular oil change, unless this was part of a logbook service where they check other things as well. You can get a quote from Lubemobile via chat and compare to see if you were ripped off. Lubemobile are competitive with their quotes. They WILL try to get you later on filters, wipers, brakes you name it, but their initial quote is well priced to reel you in.

  • devnull73 on 20/05/2019 - 17:35
    -3

    nobody takes an hour for an oil change, it's a 5 minute job.

    • resisting the urge on 20/05/2019 - 17:59
      +4

      5m to go on and off the hoist safely
      5m to drop the oil and change filter. Some cars have neat filter housings/seals that can take longer if they are filthy
      5m to go back under and replace the sump bolt with a new copper seal and fill w oil (cars that take 9L take longer)

      All in all 20 mins is reasonable given you have to do paperwork, take notes, cleanup, decant spent oil.

      If they are faster than 10mins on a car I'd expect some of the stuff you expect to be done well, hasn't

      I just did a family members X-Trail, I let it drain overnight and found the engine bay so dirty cleaning that took 20mins. Finding the power steering fluid low, as the cap was loose, bugs had almost got inside took 5 mins to sort out. Then finding the right o-ring for the dip stick took a while (25mins) as no-one ever seems to change them and they don't come with the oil filter like a real oil service would ensure. Saved on oil though, the damn thing only takes 3.9l, and the filter is miniscule. No wonder Japanese commodity engines wear out so early. All I mean is, there is often something that takes longer than you expect it to.

      • kronicmacstigator on 20/05/2019 - 20:25
        +1

        The hell? Just step up the oil changes :) Most Jap motors I've had with the exception of actual design flaws have been bulletproof

        • resisting the urge on 20/05/2019 - 20:47
          +1

          Nissan recommend thin oil combined with a 100x100mm can filter, and a small sump capacity. After 10,000km 3.9l is heavily contaminated, and the filter too- and who knows what spikes in heat the bearings have suffered. In the case of the QR25DE, engineers clearly over-enthusiastically reduced hydraulic protection when synthetics were introduced. Or built it to last 200k km instead of 500k

          Rebuilders say the bearings and the bores on a commodity engine tell a million words. I'm yet to pull apart an aged Jap engine that doesn't need at least honing and one or more new bearings. But when you open up a well-designed one, you often wish you had more faith and had just left it in place- because now it has to be buttoned back up and then start again with your fault analysis

          • kronicmacstigator on 20/05/2019 - 21:04

            @resisting the urge: Crap… I forgot Renault got their hands wrist deep into Nissan… never trust a French car designer… (I'm part French…) and drive a Citroen/Peugeot.

            I'm from the oldskool RB days. I guess all you can do is use the best oil you can then. Sad in a way!

            • resisting the urge on 21/05/2019 - 14:14

              @kronicmacstigator: Yes and no. Only choose synthetic if your car was delivered with it. On older engines, synthetic oils are much tougher on the seals and gaskets- they are made from rubber as opposed to the newer silicone seals. There are literally millions of cars out there with leaky seals going to an early grave because their owners became unholy synners (began using syn oil)

            • [Deactivated] on 22/05/2019 - 01:08

              @kronicmacstigator: Man, my mum owns a crappy old 06 Peugeot and the parts on those things are so ridiculously expensive. I’ve tried to convince her to get a Camry or something, but nope, she loves her Peugeot. Peugeot wanted $1300 to change a starter motor which is insanity. Luckily my brothers friend did it for less than half the price, probably still too much but still somewhat reasonable.

              • resisting the urge on 23/05/2019 - 00:52

                @[Deactivated]: People w Pugs are just like people w dogs

                It's just love.

                Suggest you stop fighting her, help her- the parts can be bought online cheaply you just have to look- and the cars take some getting used to but they do come apart quite easily. Pugs are so popular in Africa and Europe and the parts are cheaper there than they are for anything else. Many cars are built to be easy to make rather than easy to service- every one has aspects of this in my exp. Jap cars are the dullest engineering wise, they are just so efficient and in many cases awfully conservative, few parts are made with much finesse as price is such a focus. The French do amazing things in engineering, it's just that right next door they have all that German industry overshadowing them and taking the limelight. Just check out the old Citroen DS21 'Madeleine' for example, the 2CV, mid-engine Renault 5 Turbo, etc.

                • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2019 - 03:21

                  @resisting the urge: Good point on the parts online. She is so stubborn, though. For her it wouldn’t be ‘official’ enough. She’s not a snob, just loves her little Pug! Like you say, love is love lol! It’s beeb mostly a reliable car. That engine bay is so tiny though, I don’t know how they work on it. Also, had a mechanic go nuts the other day because apparently her model comes in 3 engine sizes and each size the air filter was different. Guess it would be a different opinion in Europe of course.

                  • resisting the urge on 24/05/2019 - 00:24
                    +1

                    @[Deactivated]: Engines are worked on from the bottom these days, on hoists, not in driveways. All different engine sizes have different air filters too, as larger ones consume more air so need larger intake (and exhaust) systems to process more fuel and generate larger amounts of power.

                    They could get away with using large stuff on small engines and saving a little in terms of simplicity and quantity discounts, but manufacturers are conditioned to think that they already buy at maximum vendor discount, so instead blindly focus on saving a few cents on paper, metal and plastic to standardise too much.

                    Genuine parts are technically called Original Equipment (OE). OEM is a different Manufacturer('s replacement/substitute), and in the case of most cars (certainly French ones) they are often better than the originals as get updated to later production techniques esp. as a car gets older. OE parts are seldom updated/improved over the tech they used in the day they were first made, so maybe explain that and allow her to opt for better parts esp. in terms of oils, brake pads, rotors, lights, etc. Good luck (I don't think my mum would listen or care).

                    • [Deactivated] on 24/05/2019 - 06:57

                      @resisting the urge: Sound advice. You have certainly enlightened me a little on the mighty Pug. Appreciate the effort. At least I have some knowledge to throw her way now. May have better luck ;). Cheers!

      • porkupine888 on 22/05/2019 - 21:25

        you have your own shop/garage / mech tools? :) brothers like me might want to holler upon your service! :)

  • Kranbone on 20/05/2019 - 17:50

    I'm confident the "mechanic" doing your oil change would have been a low paid apprentice.

    Also, the mark up on their semi synthetic oil is pretty high.

    I guess if you want better value, better avoid Rolfe Honda @ Belconnen?

  • Dreamcast on 20/05/2019 - 17:51

    $120-$150 Max. You got rorted :(

  • BertieBrown on 20/05/2019 - 17:54

    The labor seems pretty excessive for an oil change IMO. Also, the oil @ $80; how much oil did it take, and what brand did they use? If they’re going to list it as a separate part/supply as a means of being semi-transparent then it would be reasonable to ask why the cost for the oil.

    As for the hourly rate, might be a bit tougher as that might just be what they reckon they’re worth? $150 an hour is pretty high though, as they’re not undertaking a high spec/skill job that requires specific training/certification, it’s just an oil change. Edit; they’re mechanics, which I appreciate is a highly skilled job, but I mean they’re not reconditioning the trans, or machining discs, they’re just changing the oil.

    Also, did your other half ask for a safety inspection or did they just do that?

    I have to say though, you might just be better off to piss them off the list and use someone else next time? Might be an uphill battle to dispute the bill, but as a rule I generally don’t like confrontation with folks so I guess YMMV?

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