Outrageous mechanic bill!

Keith

I have no idea how long it'd take to change the filter and spark plug.

I never thought it could take them an hour to do it as it is really a very simple procedure!

:rotfl: Do you even know where the spark plug is and what panels need removing?

marcouk76

Keith wrote: »

:rotfl: Do you even know where the spark plug is and what panels need removing?

No, I do not know where the spark plug is in my scooter. Not sure why you felt the need of adding a rolling smiley, should I be ashamed for not knowing it?

I do know how to replace a wind screen though and that would not take me 1 hour. More like 10 minutes.

harveybobbles

So, you took your vehicle to a garage, asked them to do serviceing work, but supplied your own oil? I think they probably added about 30% to the bill to try to teach you a lesson.

You also asked the mto find a bigger screen, so they did. Time is money. So if Boris spent 30 minutes on the phone trying to find a screen, he has lost 30 minutes of propper work, his company have also lost 30 minutes workshop time too, so it all has be gathered back - ie bill the customer.

GEEGEE8

Seems pricey to me, but then again it all depends on what scooter it is.

Also, you could sell your old smaller screen on eBay and recoup some of your costs?

I used to work in servicing in a bike shop, reception though, not in the workshop.. and £313 does seem very high. A big Ducati service would cost £700, so a general service for a scooter seems high. The screen really should have been done as part of the service, I think they are being stingy by charging more, we never did for a 10 min job.

Did you ask for a basic service? Or have they gone by the manufacturer's service guide? If so then it could be more than just oil/filter/plugs..

Keith

marcouk76 wrote: »

No, I do not know where the spark plug is in my scooter. Not sure why you felt the need of adding a rolling smiley, should I be ashamed for not knowing it?

You are questioning a bill of £142 including parts, when one of the parts quite possibly requires a great deal of time spent removing bits to get to it.

The rest of the bill is for a screen, the cost of which would probably be better spent on a better jacket.

GEEGEE8

Garages don't generally deem it appropriate to charge customers for finding a part.. They make their money in the cost/sale of the part, not in the finding of it.

Next time ask for a quote before the work is done, and specify that if it is anything more than that amount they need need to get authorisation first.

harveybobbles

marcouk76 wrote: »

I do know how to replace a wind screen though and that would not take me 1 hour. More like 10 minutes..

Well do it yer bleedin self next time...

marcouk76

harveybobbles wrote: »

So, you took your vehicle to a garage, asked them to do serviceing work, but supplied your own oil? I think they probably added about 30% to the bill to try to teach you a lesson.

Well I did have the oil at home so I thought of taking it to them. I did ask if it was possible and he said "yes, no problem", so I guess I was not the first to have done that.

You also asked the mto find a bigger screen, so they did. Time is money. So if Boris spent 30 minutes on the phone trying to find a screen, he has lost 30 minutes of propper work, his company have also lost 30 minutes workshop time too, so it all has be gathered back - ie bill the customer.

They said they only had one other screen, so it's not like they had to try and fit 10 different ones! They took the only other one they had, luckily it was a good fit and they screwed it on!

newbie007_2

Reasonable bill limit?......sorry they dont need to call you about the bill as they did not fix anything extra without your permission.
For future reference you should ask them for a ballpark figure what it's likely to cost. Your only option now is to ask them to reduce the bill a little as goodwill.

Find out to do things diy or go to recommended places by others.

GEEGEE8

Also, why don't you ring some other garages and ask for quotes for the work that you have had done, tell them you will provide the oil. See what they quote you, if it's significantly less than the current garage you know you are right and can try to negotiate. Otherwise you will have to learn for the next service.