CHEATED? 2003 ION $500 to replace ignition switch, part $30, $470 for labor and code reading etc

hello,

here in Honolulu, @ the saturn dealer.......

I'm thinking i've been cheated, granted i agreed to pay the $130 to have saturn diagnose that i had an ignition switch code

and then they apply the $130 towards the $500 repair, however why should 1-2 hours of ignition switch labor and recoding the 'security system' cost $470

i was already in for the $130 and had no idea what it should cost. so, felt i had to agree.

i understand there may be some recall, though they told me there was not.

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CAN anyone shed some light on what the heck is going on or RIGHT?

Thx in advance.

J
Reply to
Joe Mexico
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You didn't have to agree. For that much you might have been better off to fix it yourself once it was diagnosed, or at least go get a second opinion.

Reply to
FBR

1) ALWAYS, ALWAYS get an estimate before allowing them to do the repair. 2) what is the labor rate of the shop? here in STL, it is often over $100/hr - I've heard it as high as $150/hr at some dealers. 3) is the 1-2 hours how long it took them, or how many hours you were charged? For good or ill, shops use "book rate" for labor times. If the tech can beat it, he & the dealer make more money. If it takes him longer, oh well. I paid 8 hours labor for a job the tech got done in 5. (one of the last times the car was at a dealer BTW)

--=20 =EF=BB=BFKevin M. Keller Director, News & Promotions Saturn Performance Club

Reply to
Kevin

my understanding is that they had to reprogram the computer and that had i taken it to another shop to change the ignition they may not THEN have been able to complete the reprogramming, not having the dealer's tools

i did try calling another shop by phone to get an idea what they would charge, however was told 'they would have to look at it' would give no ballpark over the phone. the repair shop, per my understanding will only apply the diagnosis charge to the repair, if the repair is done the same day.

he did give me a verbal estimate of say $450, though nothing written, i did pay for it by credit card and am sort of wondering if i can and/ or should put it in for dispute.

so, if the per hour rate is $150/hr, then $450 could have been about right ; this is definitely not a job i could do myself, e.g. reprogramming the computer etc

thx much

Reply to
Joe Mexico

So they told you what it was going to cost. You agreed to the work knowing what it was going to cost and now you are thinking of disputing it with the credit card company. Seems to me you are questioning the wrong persons integrity.

Steve B.

Reply to
Steve B.

there was no written estimate, as i've said

i'm to take it up with the service manager on saturday, i'm not asking for assistance on the process

my intention was to understand if this could possibly be the going rate for the service

but, yes, to complain, about being burned by the $130 cost to read the codes off the car ; which is ridiculous and a systemic problem IMHO

Reply to
Joe Mexico

Reply to
Joe Mexico

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