Rant

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
J

jack barnes

Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2005
Messages
371
Location
Springfield, Ma.
My wife owns a Dodge Grand caravan. The check engine lite came on, I took it to dealer to have it checked out, and tuned up. I was told it needed a diagnostic to tell what the problem was. This would cost $96.00 alone. I told them to go ahead. They plugged their computer in and it came back a internal computer failure. There charge for replacing would have been about $1500. I told them no. I would do it myself, and got a reman. from Napa for $300.
Now the Rant. When I paid for the $96.00 service, that was fine, but when I was charged a EPA disposal fee, (nothing to dispose, unless they disposed of their computer) and a shop supplies charge (no supplies used unless it's the paper floor mat) To top it off I was charged sales tax. ( since when did they start taxing a service as a sale) Welcome to Government Motors.

Jack
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
A possible option is

depending on the age of the auto - pre 1996 or was that 86 may not have a standard diag port on the auto - but you could

1) by your own diag box - code reader - the cheap ones will let you know the code and you can google it on the internet - the better ones may included a dvd to provide more insight into what the problem is.

2) a few parts supply places will let you use their reader for free

3) There are a few laptop based code readers and diag tools that will show you real time how the system is running. A friend of mine has a nice Lotus and he loves to tweak the car to get it to run just right.
 
The EPA disposal fee is added to all invoices. If they used rubber gloves which a lot of places do they are disposing of items. Same with shop rags. If you ever bought 4 tires there is a tire disposal fee as well. It all evens out in the long run. This fee is also used to clean up illegal dump sites from your backyard mechanics. Remember for years people dumped oil/tries without regard for environment. (some idiots still dump illegally)

Someone already covered it but you can get codes read for free at local auto parts stores and most now offer loaner tool programs. Saves you a ton of money from having to buy a 1 use tool like a bearing puller.

If you think that price is bad, own a motorcycle and check out your local stealership :mad: They tried to charge me $600 to remove 10 bolts on an engine that was sitting in the bed of a truck because "the book" said thats what the job would cost with engine still in bike. :eek: Shop rate at local Suzuki stealership here just hit $100 an hr. Cheaper to get a porsche or vette worked on at local dealer then a bike.

The tax issue I agree with you. It's getting ridiculous the things that are taxed now.
 
Is it any wonder that they are now part of Government Motors? I have a new policy- I buy NO automobiles that have recieved public assistance or Federal funding. Looks like the next purchase is Ford or foreign.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom