Document preparation fees--RIPOFF

[ultrarunner]

I do breaks, oil, hoses, and belts but so many things on these new vehicles are beyond my skill level.

My "New" car is year 2002... and so far, no issues.

My next vehicle is a 91 Silverado and then 85 G20 Chevy Van... the lists keeps going all the back to my 1905 Oldsmobile.

I've been very skeptical about new vehicles... too many horror stories. My neighbor tows a 24 tag trailer for his business and he's had 4 tow vehicles in last twelve years... each has had major problems except for the 99 Diesel Excursions...

His latest, with 3300 miles required a new power plant swap???

 

[Bird]

I do breaks, oil, hoses, and belts but so many things on these new vehicles are beyond my skill level.

Yep, I did brakes, oil, hoses, belts, filters, wiper blades, light bulbs, fuses, tires, and occasionally even a few other things (such as starters and alternators), but not anymore. Light bulbs, wiper blades, and air filters is about it.:laughing: And that's for several reasons: (1) I'm back in town without a shop building, (2) the cars are more complicated, and (3) I'm getting older and lazier.:laughing:

 

[Mike Costello]

I too take care of most of my auto repair needs, since I was in the businees for many years. That way, I know its done right with no BS. I guess I'm showing my age because service, honesty, & integrity seem to be in short supply these days. Knowing what you're doing is getting scarce too.

 

[buck12]

My "New" car is year 2002... and so far, no issues.

My next vehicle is a 91 Silverado and then 85 G20 Chevy Van... the lists keeps going all the back to my 1905 Oldsmobile.

I've been very skeptical about new vehicles... too many horror stories. My neighbor tows a 24 tag trailer for his business and he's had 4 tow vehicles in last twelve years... each has had major problems except for the 99 Diesel Excursions...

His latest, with 3300 miles required a new power plant swap???

I will admit that a couple of years ago I took my wife's old car to the local shop for belts, hoses, and transmission service. Things were busy at work and I just didn't have time and didn't want her on the side of the road. I even paid someone to paint my shop a couple of years ago because of time.

 

[grsthegreat]

I WISH i could pay someone to do all my chores......im out back the last week installing the lid for my covered patio. What a CHORE. Now i know why the carpenters always hated me for installing can lighting in lids when there doing T&G 1x6. What a major pain in the butt.

My vehicles are the same thing. A sensor for transmission temp only cost $14.50, but $250 to install.... but thats beyond my comfort level so i had the dealer do it. I used to never bitc# about cost to repair my rigs while i was working all the time. If the rigs were down i was losing $$$$. Now that i only get in about 1 day a week of paid work (stupid economy) I have to try and do alot of the stuff myself. Sucks.

 

[JDgreen227]

I do breaks, oil, hoses, and belts but so many things on these new vehicles are beyond my skill level.

I am in the same situation, do the same things you do, put new brakes all the way around on my Lesabre for $350 last spring, saved about $700, but the complexity of todays new cars is really hard to deal with. I have the shop, plenty of tools and plenty of time, but they engineer things so you need an electrical degree and $20,000 worth of test equipment to find problems.

 

[Ductape]

I too used to think doc fees were as big a rip-off as the service charges at the dealership. Then I had my wife's vehicle in for some service ...... service writer called me to say it needed a new muffler bearing. I said "Whaaaaa ?????" Rushed right down there, he takes me out back to show me.

Now that I see they are honest, I don't second guess them anymore.

 

[Bird]

I too used to think doc fees were as big a rip-off as the service charges at the dealership. Then I had my wife's vehicle in for some service ...... service writer called me to say it needed a new muffler bearing. I said "Whaaaaa ?????" Rushed right down there, he takes me out back to show me.

Now that I see they are honest, I don't second guess them anymore.

:laughing::laughing:Looks to me like the bearing is OK; just need a new muffler.:laughing::laughing:

 

[two_bit_score]

:laughing::laughing:Looks to me like the bearing is OK; just need a new muffler.:laughing::laughing:

Maybe it was OVER packed?

 

[JDgreen227]

I too used to think doc fees were as big a rip-off as the service charges at the dealership. Then I had my wife's vehicle in for some service ...... service writer called me to say it needed a new muffler bearing. I said "Whaaaaa ?????" Rushed right down there, he takes me out back to show me.

Now that I see they are honest, I don't second guess them anymore.

It's your fault that happened, if you had purchased the paint protection, fabricoating, and undercoating, etc. as they recommmeded you buy when they originally sold you the vehicle, this never would have happened.

AND, if you had purchased the extended warranty too, even if this happened, it wouldn't have cost you anything except "a small deductible..."

YEAH RIGHT....:laughing: :laughing: