Is it normal for a mechanic to charge a diagnosis fee?
I took my SUV in for a small electrical fix that ended up costing $200 (1 hour labor, $60 part + "shop supplies" and tax). But I also got charged $130 for a "diagnosis" they claim took 1 hour.
Was a bit taken back at the $330 bill for a relatively simple fix but paid regardless.
Yeah but they don't charge you for it if you let them fix it
You got fukt
I see.
The owner was pretty rude when I questioned him on it. Stating that the issue couldn't have possibly taken that long to find when I came in saying I suspected it was that very part needing to be replaced. He got really defensive and said he wasn't a charity and basically told me I had no option but to pay.
He even called out to his 2 mechanics in the back and said "Are you hearing this guy? I can't believe it.". And they all came out to look at me and listen to our conversation for some reason. So I just let them win, it wasn't worth it.
They did a decent job but I had to retape the wires because it was already peeling. I have my doubts it was more than 30 minutes of actual labor for the installation as well.
Freedom
>Is it normal for a mechanic to charge a diagnosis fee?
Highly abnormal. When a mechanic is using his time, skill, and experience to find out what is wrong with your car (because you cannot) he should not be getting paid. He should only be paid to do the simple task of changing a part.
>letting anyone else touch your vehicle
yikes
Yeah. I guess it just didn't sit right with me because I already knew the issue going in, the shop times didn't seem right and the owner was rude when I questioned it.
I have no issues with this. Mechanics are on the same tier as car dealers. They have no soul, I'm not even sure if they are human. They only exist to be greedy fucks who rip you off.
I've only had one issue with a mechanic that off-sourced the issue to his 'local sparky'. Something fucky was going on with my brakelights coming on instead of the parklight circuit, indicators would cut all current to brakelights. I'm no whizz, so I left it to them.
>They replaced front H4's because 'They were cheap and became detached'
>Replaced 2 relays in the relay box
>Changed all rear lights
>Replaced alternator +ve
>2 hours diagnosis and labor
Now, the relays and the diagnosis I can understand, because it was a strange issue, but replacing all my lamps (and the H4's, which were only shown to me after I asked for the old, were not my old ones as I had bought Narva, no chinko tommy christmas lights inc lamps) and the alternator lead taking 2 hours? There was no wiring changed other than the alternator lead so where did the 2 hours come from?
I ended up confronting the sparky and the initial mechanic, asking wtf was going on and to explain it in detail or I'd not pay the $580 and they can take me to court for it. They threatened court action and I said that's fine. I'm still waiting for the summons, 5 years later.
Scumbag fucks didn't replace anything they said they did aside from the relays, they only cleaned the alternator cable.
Yep, shops are a ripoff. I worked as a panel welder in one for 7 years. They paid me $26/hour and charged customers $130/hour + bullshit extra charges for my work. The owner would pocket over half after all expenses and such.
After 4 years of not giving me any sort of raise despite being the best there, I left and started my own small business just doing welding by myself in a double bay garage, mainly focusing on classics, antiques and custom bikes. Though I do a fair bit of rust repair and modifications on new vehicles. Now I work my own hours and charge a flat $85/hour.
Now I'm stealing all of his clients and business for decades to come. That's what happens when you're cheap.