WWYD? Repair way more than estimate

ShaleniFarm · Mar 11, 2006

Hello All,
What would you do?
I took an old log splitter in for repair to a hyd shop. I got an estimate of $265. My wife got a call and they said, come get it, $265. When I went to get it, they said $497!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

The person who gave me the estimate wasn't there. The guy who called said he never said $265. So I left. I called the guy who gave the estimate. He said, it needed different parts, I thought you wanted it fixed no matter what. He came down to $420. Still too much. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Of course, I don't have it written down. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Don't know what to do. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I want to tell him to undo what he did and give it back.

Thanks,
Neil.

JJT · Mar 11, 2006

If the splitter is worth $420 you're stuck, if it's not, simply abandon it. I'd pay the bill and send the owner a letter expressing your displeasure and never go back.

Sorry to hear you got burned, but this is a fairly common ploy. If I know and trust the guy I still do business on a handshake, all others must be in writing.

ShaleniFarm · Mar 11, 2006

Thanks.
Not sure what it is worth. I couldn't sell it for $420.
I doubt the owner cares, if they do this.

I should have got a write up. I will the next time.

I'll sleep on it until monday.

Have a good one.

rambler · Mar 11, 2006

This doesn't help, but my BiL had the fuek shutoff break on his little 15hp Kubota. Called the dealer, had them pick it up, fix, & return.

Was $90 to fix.

Was $300 for the pickup & delivery. Of a tiny tractor, less than 6 mile trip.

Wow.

--->Paul

George2615 · Mar 11, 2006

Wow $300 for pickup & delivery and only 6 miles away. A good reason to own your own trailer. Would not take too many trips to the dealer to warrant a trailer purchase. The fuel shutoff price is probably close since most are built into the filter assy. and sold as a unit plus the cost of labor.

As for Neil there's not much you can do if you didn't get the estimate in writing. I guess you will have to decide if the splitter is worth that much.

JerryG · Mar 11, 2006

on it. I know what I would do. I would be looking for a different place for my business. If it was going to be that much over the estimate, they should have spoke with you about it before doing the work. $300 is absolutely absurd for 6 miles. I would have been too ashamed to even give you a ticket for that amount.

JimR · Mar 12, 2006

Look at it this way. You can't buy a new splitter or even a good used for that price. Bite the bullet. Get your splitter back and use it. live and learn is what I have to say. Just don't bring anything there again for service unless you get a written estimate.

ShaleniFarm · Mar 14, 2006

Well, I picked it up. $420. Like JimR says, I can't get one for that price.

I will un-recommend the shop to anyone I know, though.

Thanks for all the input.

Have a good one,
Neil.

RobJ · Mar 14, 2006

Well all well that ends well...sort of. But you said maybe you should tell him to undo what he did and you would pick it up. You would still be on the hook for the labor costs. You brought it in and he spent time on it. When I was in the business people didn't always understand that. Bring in an old engine, I tear it down, work up an estimate. Person says nevermind I'll replace it. Uhhh, person still owes me a few hours labor for the time. The usual cry is but you didn't do anything.

Check the warranty on your receipt and if anything happens be sure to take it back. Use the heck out of it in the mean time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy · Mar 14, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The fuel shutoff price is probably close since most are built into the filter assy. and sold as a unit plus the cost of labor.
)</font>

Yowzers... the fuel tap and shutoff for my 72 and 90hp fords, with filter assembly is a whopping 25$.. and I can get my hands dirty and screw it into the bottom of the tank for that price...

Perhaps the guy with the 15hp kubota needs to spens 20$ on a set of cheap wrenches from harbor freight and do some basic repair of his own next time.. vs 390$ for 15 minutes of work and a 20 minute round trip trailer ride.... that come out to about 617$ an hour.... I think I'm in the wrong business.

If your friend lives in florida.. I'll drive out for 3/4's of that and fix it for him next time.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy