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Date:         Sat, 3 Sep 2005 22:11:57 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Estimates for service - is it not the law in all states?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

The shops here all have the books/manuals that cover all models and give the recommended time for repair, which is what they base the estimate on. You should get the same labor hours at any shop for the same job, for instance. They then adjust that for known circumstances and give the whole estimate ahead of time, in writing for the customer to sign. They also call before making any changes.

Cya, Robert

----- Original Message ----- From: "John Bange" <jbange@GMAIL.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 9:48 PM Subject: Re: Estimates for service - is it not the law in all states?

> > How do those of you who live in places where it is not custom to give an > estimate when you take your car in for repairs, deal with the situation? > Blind trust? >

Tell them up front you need to know how much the repairs are going to cost before having them done. They may not be able to give you an estimate up front, but they ought to be able to after an hour's inspection. If you've found a mechanic who "can't rightly say" about how much a repair is going to cost and just wants you to give him carte blanche to fix it and just present you the bill after, say "thanks anyway" and get the heck out of there. Part of the problem may be that it's a Vanagon. Probably he's not a Vanagon expert and he has no idea what he's up against. He'll be shooting in the dark and will likely as not overlook (or even CAUSE) as many problems as he fixes. I had so much trouble finding a mechanic who even inspired a smidgen of confidence that he could handle it that, after almost 10 years of happily paying others to fix my cars, I dusted off my toolbox and swore to never let another torque-happy tire changer greasemonkey work on my Vanagon. If you can't find a guy who knows Vanagons, at least find one who knows VWs in general. Failing that, I guess just try to find someone who's not a crook. Variations in state law aside, it's just sleazy/sloppy business practice for a mechanic to not give you an honest estimate beforehand, and call you for instructions if he finds more work that needs doing. If he can't give an estimate up front because he doesn't know what's wrong, an honest mechanic will tell you how much he thinks it'll cost to troubleshoot it, and THEN call you with the results and and to get a yea or nay on the repair.


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