Freelander failed MOT but now costing almost 100% more than quoted, where do I stand?

eschaton

CluelessJock wrote: »

and is likely to be for some time, I suspect!

As I expect will be the case for eschaton

What will be the case for Eschaton notgotaclue Jock ?

CluelessJock

goldspanners wrote: »

with older cars you can think one thing is broken, take it off and break 2 other parts in the process,take these off and another breaks. its unfortunatly what happens.

Indeed this can happen, however if additional work is required at a cost of some 42% higher than estimated then the garage needs to get permission for addditional work, simple!

For those on here to say £571 is a good price is nonsense, what if the second car does few miles between MOT's, and only needs a bulb? Is £571 still good value?

Don't think there is any chance of the law backing this garage for £571 bill without getting approval for additional spend.

eschaton wrote:

What will be the case for Eschaton notgotaclue Jock ?

There you go demonstrating your limits of understanding again!

eschaton

CluelessJock wrote: »

There you go demonstrating your limits of understanding again!

Answer original question.

goldspanners

CluelessJock wrote: »

Indeed this can happen, however if additional work is required at a cost of some 42% higher than estimated then the garage needs to get permission for addditional work, simple!

For those on here to say £571 is a good price is nonsense, what if the second car does few miles between MOT's, and only needs a bulb? Is £571 still good value?

Don't think there is any chance of the law backing this garage for £571 bill without getting approval for additional spend.

£571 for a bulb is extortionate,but if you thought it was just a bulb but then upon removing the bulb the whole headlight unit broke and needed replacing it would obviously need done,yes the garage should have been in touch with the owner to authorise work,but we dont know the whole story,maybe the garage tried to contact owner,but couldn't get them for some reason so decided rather than wait to be told to go ahead they just did it,as the car was probably in bits there would be no real alternative answer would there? it would cost more to get them to rebuild it unrepaired and to then take it somewhere else.

Hintza

All I know is that every time the car goes in for something it costs me more than I was anticipating.

So my question is are they being reasonable? I most cases I analyse the bill and agree. If I am not happy I go somewhere else. But I can't do that too often or otherwise I will soon run out of mechanics within a reasonably local distance.

The big car has been going to the dealership about 20 miles away and it really is a pain in the backside.

CluelessJock

eschaton wrote: »

Answer original question.

Sorry eschaton, I can't put it in any simpler English. If you can't understand a few sentences it is hardly surprising you struggle with the concept (idea) that you don't just 'pay up', as you suggest. Do you think Martin would 'just pay up', or recommend that the OP should 'pay up' under the circumstances described?

Can anyone out there read back and explain to this poor lad?

goldspanners wrote:

maybe the garage tried to contact owner,but couldn't get them for some reason so decided rather than wait to be told to go ahead they just did it,as the car was probably in bits there would be no real alternative answer would there? it would cost more to get them to rebuild it unrepaired and to then take it somewhere else.

It is easy to say maybe and come up with all sorts of excuses to justify paying.

However, I think you will find that with attitudes like yours and eschaton then the following will be closer to the truth: maybe the garage owner has found that not many people question his bill and they simply pay up, so having found that it is more lucrative than doing the work he increases everyone's bill and only has to adjust 10% back down due to complaints. Or maybe he has years of experience and is quite good and identifying those naive enough to pay between 42.5% and 90% more than he estimated, like you and aschaton?

jaydeeuk1

CluelessJock wrote: »

Sorry eschaton, I can't put it in any simpler English. If you can't understand a few sentences it is hardly surprising you struggle with the concept (idea) that you don't just 'pay up', as you suggest. Do you think Martin would 'just pay up', or recommend that the OP should 'pay up' under the circumstances described?

Can anyone out there read back and explain to this poor lad?



It is easy to say maybe and come up with all sorts of excuses to justify paying.

However, I think you will find that with attitudes like yours and eschaton then the following will be closer to the truth: maybe the garage owner has found that not many people question his bill and they simply pay up, so having found that it is more lucrative than doing the work he increases everyone's bill and only has to adjust 10% back down due to complaints. Or maybe he has years of experience and is quite good and identifying those naive enough to pay between 42.5% and 90% more than he estimated, like you and aschaton?

Whats the point of the garage even charging for the work with people like you around? Doubt you'd be happy if it was free. I bet your the type who buys a £1000 banger, and tries to claim a refund on the SOGA 3 months later when it breaks down.

CluelessJock

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Whats the point of the garage even charging for the work with people like you around? Doubt you'd be happy if it was free. I bet your the type who buys a £1000 banger, and tries to claim a refund on the SOGA 3 months later when it breaks down.

Oh dear, another poor forumite who is easily parted from his/her money.

I am quite happy to pay for work done that was needed and is close to estimate and that even includes being happy to make a contribution to profits. Under no circumstances would I ever pay 42.5% more than I was estimated, whether to a garage, or for any other service. If prices were to change by that magnitude I would expect to be consulted before hand and agree the revised price, but then if that happened I would know.

To go back to the OP's situation; there is no way under law this garage can force this charge through!

If you , and others, are happy to be soft touches that's just fine by me.

CluelessJock

anewman wrote: »

£571 doesn't seem too bad an increase on the original £400 to me. Now if it was £800 or more I'd be starting to question it.

At the bottom of anewman's post he has seen fit to insert the following:

Help! I'm an idiot!

You got that bit right, anewman!

Tell me; are you lot just out of school?

Tell me something else; what is the point of getting an estimate if you can then be charged whatever they want to charge you?

If my builder had asked for £18K for the work done, instead of the estimated £12K, do I just pay him?

anewman, would you only complain if he asked for more than £24K as in the example you give above

eschaton

CluelessJock wrote: »

Sorry eschaton, I can't put it in any simpler English. If you can't understand a few sentences it is hardly surprising you struggle with the concept (idea) that you don't just 'pay up', as you suggest. Do you think Martin would 'just pay up', or recommend that the OP should 'pay up' under the circumstances described?

Can anyone out there read back and explain to this poor lad?



It is easy to say maybe and come up with all sorts of excuses to justify paying.

However, I think you will find that with attitudes like yours and eschaton then the following will be closer to the truth: maybe the garage owner has found that not many people question his bill and they simply pay up, so having found that it is more lucrative than doing the work he increases everyone's bill and only has to adjust 10% back down due to complaints. Or maybe he has years of experience and is quite good and identifying those naive enough to pay between 42.5% and 90% more than he estimated, like you and aschaton?

I'm not the one that's clueless :rotfl:

I wouldn't get an approx price in first place so there is no chance of being stuffed. Saying that, I'm not used to taking old wrecks for an MOT.