Work done by garage. What are my rights?

mikeopvc

The following are from another thread but just thought to post on here to find out what my rights are.
Could I have refused to pay?

Can anyone give a rough idea as to how much it would cost to replace 2 power steering hoses on my vauxhall Movano van?

Thanks

Basically I already had the work done but I need to know if I've been overcharged.
The garage were told by the driver of the van to call me if the work was going to cost any more than a few quid.
They just did the work and invoiced me for £262.61
I am more annoyed that they didn't call me with the price so I could have at least got a quote from another garage, they just assumed I would give them the job because I normally use them for both my vans and my car.
So now I'm just trying to get an idea of what the job is worth as it seems a bit high.
I did say to the woman on reception when she rang to say the van was ready that they should have called me before going ahead and she just said "well the hoses were £70 each and there was 2 hours labour so that's just the price"
It's not like I can refuse to pay now as they have already done the work so I just feel like I've been bullied into paying their price.

Any advice on this would be great,

Thanks

Googlewhacker

well you could refuse, phone another garage up get a quote and if it is enough to warrant you refusing because you had not given permission for the job to be done then tell them you wish for it to be in the state it was taken into them or meet the quote provided by the other company.

Either that or pay up and not use that place for a bit and when the rep calls you to ask why tell them straight

mikeopvc

I did phone another garage for a quote and they said we can't price blind so just bring the van in and we'll take a look then quote.
Obviously I can't do this as the work is done hence I'm on here trying to find out what the job is worth, maybe a pointless exercise but I suppose it's just a kneejerk reaction to the way the garage went about the situation.

bryanb

A main dealer for the make should be able to quote without seeing the van.

cybergibbons

I can't speak for that van in particular, but I do know on similar style vans, access to all the power steering components can be a big job - 2hrs would be about right for someone who knows what they are doing.

peachyprice

Have you looked for the price online for the hoses?

mikeopvc

peachyprice wrote: »

Have you looked for the price online for the hoses?

Yes but all you get is a form to fill in details then a text or email to say "we can quote for your parts please text back etc. etc."
I think it will cost me to get the price.

cybergibbons

peachyprice wrote: »

Have you looked for the price online for the hoses?

£70 for a power steering hose sounds about right. You won't be getting the cheapest online prices when you go to a garage.

mikeopvc

Well it seems that they havn't overcharged for the work judging by the feedback from this and another thread, I suppose they just did bad by not calling me to give the go-ahead.
This I can live with as long as I make it clear next time that they must call me before carrying out any work on my vehicles, I will continue using them because knowing your not getting ripped off is a big bonus.
Thanks for the advice guys (oops! and girls just in case)

peachyprice

Hoses don't sound expensive do they!

But hey, at least you didn't get ripped off like I did. I took my Freelander in for a new expansion tank, I knew the bottle was only £26, I got a bill for £216, they had the cheek to charge we £80 for 'diagnostics', I'd told them what was wrong and it was bloomin obvious from the anti-freeze spraying all over the engine!

Needless to say I've not been back to that garage and never will.

mikeopvc

peachyprice wrote: »

Hoses don't sound expensive do they!

But hey, at least you didn't get ripped off like I did. I took my Freelander in for a new expansion tank, I knew the bottle was only £26, I got a bill for £216, they had the cheek to charge we £80 for 'diagnostics', I'd told them what was wrong and it was bloomin obvious from the anti-freeze spraying all over the engine!

Needless to say I've not been back to that garage and never will.

CHEEKY B*GGERS:cool:
Just typical trying to make a quick buck not thinking of the long term business you could give them.