Was this mechanics bill excessive?

[deXtrous]

Pretty unhappy about this. Our so called 'family' mechanic charged me $618 for my latest visit.

My exhaust was leaking and he put a new one in,

ABS light was on, something to do with a new module

Airbag light was on, don't know what problem was.

Should I go back and speak to him?

[ParkwayDrv]

lol you havnt really given much info...

[fonzo]

abs modules can be dear i think.
exaust well who knows.
airbag he would of had to plug it into a diagnostic computer to remove the light and mabie repair a problem to stop it returning

[levymetal]

if you don't like mechanics bills then do the work yourself (and don't say you don't know how, get a set of tools and workshop manual. any other help is available right here on this forum. holdens are very easy to work on). if you don't want to do the work yourself, then don't complain about mechanics bills . people seem to love complaining that they get ripped off by mechanics, but you don't see mechanics driving around lambo's or living in mansions.

[immortality]

sounds fairly reasonable. new exhaust and new ABS module = expensive

[V8Silverfox]

yeah, a "second-hand" abs module for my old vx calais fitted by a holden dealer cost me around $1800 back in 2007

[deXtrous]

if you don't like mechanics bills then do the work yourself (and don't say you don't know how, get a set of tools and workshop manual. any other help is available right here on this forum. holdens are very easy to work on). if you don't want to do the work yourself, then don't complain about mechanics bills . people seem to love complaining that they get ripped off by mechanics, but you don't see mechanics driving around lambo's or living in mansions.

I don't have the time, tools or resources to do such a job my self. That being said;

I'm going to show you the difference between complaining and asking a question. "Awww my mechanic charged me $618 for a days work! What a ****!" is an example of a complaint. "Was this bill excessive?" is a mere example of a question. Now I know the two concepts may be hard to grasp for some special people, but hang in there and push through the retardation and you'll make it buddy!.

It's not my fault you own a VP, so please don't take out your anger on me, levymetal.

[levymetal]

Now I know the two concepts may be hard to grasp for some special people, but hang in there and push through the retardation and you'll make it buddy!.

It's not my fault you own a VP, so please don't take out your anger on me, levymetal.

how to use a forum, point number 24. when you've been proven wrong, the best comeback is to attack other members. what better way is there to prove your intelligence than to give out petty, meaningless insults? by the way, refer to the forum rules before abusing other members.

[Big Dazza91]

Lol love it people.

[wana s' charge stock vt]

Pretty unhappy about this. Our so called 'family' mechanic charged me $618 for my latest visit.

My exhaust was leaking and he put a new one in,

ABS light was on, something to do with a new module

Airbag light was on, don't know what problem was.

Should I go back and speak to him?

dont seem too expensive, exhaust would be a few hundred(unless they shop on ebay)

next time find out what he's guna replace, and how much he charges for the parts and labour and ring around and compare prices first...... just to be sure to be sure

[Brett_jjj]

That price seems about fair.As already mentioned its worth getting yourself some tools and a workshop manual and make a bit of time to have a go.It will save you heaps.You probably could have halved that bill (or more) if you could have done the repairs yourself.

[fatvsss]

yeah that was completely reasonalble, abs module is really dear

[BoNeZ-01]

The best way you can answer this yourself mate, is to go through the receipt.
(That you 'should' have been given, and which 'should' have all the costings of parts & labour itemized).

Find the parts cost, and see if they are all 'reasonable'(although some mech's seem to like to use the dearest possible replacement parts).

Then look at the labour charged for the fitting of each part.

Not all places do this, but most do.

If you feel you have been 'excessively' charged on some items, then go back and see them and query them(respectfully) about it, what have you got to lose?

[Calaber]

For that cost, I really doubt the ABS module has been changed, but fixing it yourself is not really the domain of a home mechanic. I wonder how many of us here would attempt to diagnose and dismantle an ABS module if a fault developed? I don't think I would and there's not much I won't attempt.

Without more detail about precisely what work was carried out, it's difficult to say whether the charges were reasonable or not.

[Dirtracr95]

i agree --------^

[deXtrous]

Thanks for the replies folks, I guess it was somewhat reasonable, and no he didn't change the abs module. Just made the light go off basically.

how to use a forum, point number 24. when you've been proven wrong, the best comeback is to attack other members. what better way is there to prove your intelligence than to give out petty, meaningless insults? by the way, refer to the forum rules before abusing other members.

Wasn't going to reply to you, your absurdity being hard to match, but for the sake of it I'll tell you this; I know how to use a forum very well. I also know that what I said was not an attempt to prove you wrong, but to school you on very basic english that seven year olds have learnt. I guess you still don't understand that I wasn't complaining, which is understandable in your case.

Sorry if I came off harsh. Just think before you type. Forums are a place to spread information, not.... whatever you said

[Brett_jjj]

For that cost, I really doubt the ABS module has been changed, but fixing it yourself is not really the domain of a home mechanic. I wonder how many of us here would attempt to diagnose and dismantle an ABS module if a fault developed? I don't think I would and there's not much I won't attempt.

A mate put on a second hand ABS module/modulator on his VS and he said its a piece of piss to do. He had it on in an afternoon so there must not be that much to it.And he's certainly no expert machanic.

[VL-EXEC]

mate you were complaining. then had a crack at someone because they own a vp, even though all you have is a vr...

as others have said look at the recipt and find out how much he charged you for parts and labour.

[despo]

im selling an abs module for $100 (no joke i wanna get ride of it have no use for it)

[jamessharks]

aftermarket abs modules are about $250-400 and new exhaust ... well that can be anything from $100-300 so that bill isn't excessive ... you also have to include labour costs.

[levymetal]

Sorry if I came off harsh. Just think before you type. Forums are a place to spread information, not.... whatever you said

So if forums are a place to spread information, why are you calling me a retard, attacking VPs, and attacking my English skills? What kind of information is that? It boggles the mind.

But considering that you want to push the point, I'll push mine. The reason why you don't want to work on your car is because "you don't have the time or resources to do such a job yourself". Which is fair enough. So, a normal response to me would be to say exactly that. Which is what you said. Then for no reason, you also inferred that I was retarded, and attacked my choice of vehicle. And now you are also implying that I have difficulty understanding 7 year old English. I must be really stupid because I don't understand why you keep on trying to insult me when I offered a suggesting of trying to work on your own car.

[danja]

600 bucks doesn't sound outrages for a reco ABS modulator + exhaust + whatever else + labour, if anything you probably got off lightly.

Now play nice will ya fellas? Seriously, storm in a teacup right here

[Dinwoodie]

how to use a forum, point number 24. when you've been proven wrong, the best comeback is to attack other members. what better way is there to prove your intelligence than to give out petty, meaningless insults? by the way, refer to the forum rules before abusing other members.

lol Proven wrong? I am reading the same posts as you aren't i?

You wanna refer back to the forum rules do you? How about keeping your pathetic opinions to yourself? As the OP said he wasn't complaining he was asking a question, having said that (again) i fully agree with him on some people being special.

It's pretty hard to distinguish between a question and a declerative statement. . . (Sarcasm)

[levymetal]

You wanna refer back to the forum rules do you? How about keeping your pathetic opinions to yourself?

I referred to the rules but found no rule stating that "I must keep my pathetic opinion to myself". But you're right, how dare I suggest that someone tries to work on their own car! Blasphemy! After all, this forum isn't designed for commodore owners to gain more knowledge and ask questions about their vehicles is it?

And did I just miss something, or did you just tell me to keep my opinion to myself while expressing your opinion about my post? Now why would I listen to your advice when you have difficulty following it yourself? If you respond to this post, I hope you don't contradict yourself again.

[despo]

oo snap...did someone just turn the heater up full or wat... im sure he ment no harm like he said guys