Did I just get screwed? + RANTING and ADVICE REQUESTED...

From: Chris Reck (Roadkill47@attbi.com)
Date: Tue Nov 12 2002 - 18:38:11 EST


This must be the worst year for me and my truck

I was planning a trip to near Detroit to see family when everything
happened. I was to leave tomorrow morning. After getting the new shocks in
and the larger BFG tires, I went a local Goodyear shop to get a $60 4 wheel
alignment and came out after 3 hours short $1000.

Ends up the brake noise I heard in the morning the last week meant that I
had no rear brakes. The driver rear pad tore completely off the bonded
surface and was floating free in the case. The drum was completely
unusable. The passenger rear had one brake pad left and the drum was able
to be machined. ------------>> $222 overall.

They then asked me to come back a second time and they told me ALL 4 BALL
JOINTS were shot. The play in them was more than 1/2". Good thing I had
less than 50 miles on the new tires.

THIS IS WHERE THEY GOT ME. They charged me $408 in labor to replace the
ball joints. Their hourly rate was $73 per hour. It works out to 5.6 hours
of labor. The longest possible time they could have worked on it was 3
hours. DID I GET RIPPED OFF HERE?

I was told they charge labor "per the book" and not actual working time. I
don't remember this being the case at other locations. What have other
people been charged when it comes to labor? I think that I should be owed
almost $200.

BTW, they did use Raybestos base brand for the brakes and Spicer for the
ball joints. Both I think are good brands.

--
Thanks!

Chris Reck Chicagoland, IL

'99 Dakota Sport + CC 4x4 V6 (Deep Amethyst) Custom K&N 6x9 air intake, Rancho RSX shocks (4), Pioneer full audio system. BF Goodrich 32x11.5r15 T/A KO tires, All new Spicer Ball Joints(@59k)



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