Workshop charging double what was verbally quoted, thoughts?

[wde_bdy]

No an estimate is not binding, however if you give one it should not vary significantly from the price charged. They should have used their skill and experience when making an estimate, to tell you later that materials alone were around their total estimate indicates they clearly did a poor job of estimating or they should have been aware the job was more significant that they anticipated. Failing to contact you when it became obvious their estimate was well out is their problem not yours.

Callum

[iOnic]

Speaking from personal experience - it's not even worth trying to get a resolution from a verbal estimate. It's verbal which means there's no record of it ever having existed at all other than your word vs theirs.

If you want an accurate idea of how much the job will cost, ask them to give you a written quote because they will then have to investigate the cost of materials needed and the labour as well. Taking a verbal estimate as gospel is how you end up in a situation like this.

[FANGIN]

Had this problem with the Exhaust shop who did my RX7.

"Oh yea, it will cost you around $7-800 bucks for a 3 inch mendral bent system with bah blah blah..."

Picked up the car after hours, the guy who did the work said that there would be a cost more because of some things they hadn't originally thought they would need. Went in the next day to pay the bill - "Yea, total comes to $1,740 inc GST"

WHAT THE HELL!!

As I already had the car back in my possesion, he knew he had no real bargaining power. I was really happy with the work they had done, so I offered him a deal. Told him I would pay for the additional materials, but not any of the Labour as they had done the work without telling me it would be more than double the quote/estimate/verbal price.

So we came to an agreement, ended up paying them just over $1,000 for the work. Parts were near on the $800 mark. So it worked out ok in the end.

[rollaholic]

you wouldnt expect a builder or a plumber to give you a quote over the phone though. if you want quotes from mechanics you need to give them the car so they can have a good look at what needs doing, and price up parts accordingly. not many people are willing to spend a day taking their car around places to get the best quote. getting a builder out to look at your house is as easy as giving him the address.

remember that a quote is not a bullet proof price either, since most additional costs (unless the place is really dodgy) come from things discovered during whatever work is going on, that fall outside what they have quoted on.

[FANGIN]

you wouldnt expect a builder or a plumber to give you a quote over the phone though.

remember that a quote is not a bullet proof price either, since most additional costs (unless the place is really dodgy) come from things discovered during whatever work is going on, that fall outside what they have quoted on.

I give quotes/tenders/run jobs for a living. And yes you are very correct. However, in the building industry, it is common practice to notify the client of the additional cost or works BEFORE proceeding with any work. IMO this is how it should be in the Motor Trade industry as well.

[metal_sean_head]

However, in the building industry, it is common practice to notify the client of the additional cost or works BEFORE proceeding with any work. IMO this is how it should be in the Motor Trade industry as well.

I thought this was what most mechanics do.

[Dell'Orto]

It is what they should do, it does appear some dont though.

[FANGIN]

Most don't in my own experience.

Only things I've paid for other people to do on the RX7 is the Engine porting & Assembly, and the exhaust. Want something done right, do it yourself.

[1I1]

you wouldnt expect a builder or a plumber to give you a quote over the phone though.

remember that a quote is not a bullet proof price either, since most additional costs (unless the place is really dodgy) come from things discovered during whatever work is going on, that fall outside what they have quoted on.

I give quotes/tenders/run jobs for a living. And yes you are very correct. However, in the building industry, it is common practice to notify the client of the additional cost or works BEFORE proceeding with any work. IMO this is how it should be in the Motor Trade industry as well.

Also, don't quote me on this - but can't the custy refuse to pay for extra work they did not authorise ?

Wait no that's right, here:
http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/for- ... r-services

[metal_sean_head]

^^ Yeah i thought this too. This is why they ring you and let you know of any extra costs/parts/labour. And ask if you want them to carry on or not.

[iOnic]

Yeah you can refuse to pay for any work carried out that you didn't approve. However, the guy that started this topic didn't have any work done that he didn't ask for - the cost of the materials to do the job is what brought the price up.

The person you spoke to probably thought you wanted an estimate of the labour to do the job - I don't think anyone in their right mind would quote $150 total to fit a muffler that requires a 90 deg bend supplied and welded in and a flange/flanges - materials alone would cost that much before labour was added on and that's ignoring the subframe job...

[Bling]

Basically you want to make yourself enough of a pain in the ass that they cut the bill down rather than having to deal with you, this works best if you can do it in front of other customers.

+1 Squeaky wheel etc

Always has the most effect when others get to see what's going on. Otherwise its easy to sweep it under the carpet. The exact reason Fair Go get results individuals can't.

[Lurkin]

heh or get a lawyer (friend hopefully!) to call on your behalf.. perhaps this will scare them into action?

funny though.. back in the days of contract law (wee while ago) I faintly remember verbal contracts can still be enforced?.. the trouble is proving the contract occurred, rather than whether it is legal for it to occur.

[MAGN1T]

The best way to sort it out is by "word of mouth"

Tell your mates about bad service.
Tell your mates about good service.

I do everything myself these days after being ripped too many times, Most of those places are now out of business. The only thing I can't do myself is machining, my pitcrew (son) does that.

Steve

[tsoob]

shoulda come 2 see me

What, you do exhaust jobs as well now?

been doing exhausts for a LONG time bro.. check out some of our work on FB

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3 ... 7757417636

[tsoob]

This workshops main problem was that they didnt inform the customer of the extra costs BEFORE completing the work.

Looney your location says auckland?

[Akane]

been doing exhausts for a LONG time bro.. check out some of our work on FB

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3 ... 7757417636

What a badass, sweet as will keep that in mind.

[Looonie]

This workshops main problem was that they didnt inform the customer of the extra costs BEFORE completing the work.

Looney your location says auckland?

Auckland is a FARKIN big place man And only set to get bigger and shittier... but I'm out Drury. Tongue in cheek about the cost of gas comment.

[tsoob]

well Drury isnt really auckland these days

[BZG Wagon]

I usually ask for a range (best case / worst case), and ask them to call me if it goes over it.

That said Toyota ignored me when I had the cambelt done and it came in $350 more that they quoted; but that was because they decided to replace all the belts while they were at it.