Am I being taken?

[lncoop]

I have a 2002 90hp Merc. I dropped it off Monday for a new water pump impeller. They confirmed that it would be around $150. They just called and said they replaced the impeller, but they also had to replace the starter solenoid and the bill was over $325. I used it all last weekend and have been using it all summer with no starting issues. My first question, even if it did need a solenoid, which I did not tell them to replace, is that really worth another $175? I know the part is around $25. Second, is it possible it could have been working fine all year and suddenly need a solenoid? Makes me wonder what they could have done to screw it up. I've used them a couple of times when I've been in a tight, but never for any major work. I don't mind paying a little more than it should have been, but really? What does everyone think? No mechanic bashing please. I have no problem paying someone to do what I can't (or don't want to) do. I just think this one's way out of line. If I'm wrong, someone set me straight.

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Am I being taken?

They should have called you before replacing the solenoid. This does not sound right to me.

Did you ask them why they replaced the solenoid? Tell them you never had any problems starting?

Be sure to ask for the old part back. You can test it by hooking an ohm meter to the starter and ground terminals. Put 12 volts to the input. Ohms should drop to zero and it should click. If they do then you were ripped off.

Maybe since you never had starting problems you should demand the old solenoid be put back on and the charge removed? Then if it goes out you'll know what it is and it's an easy fix. They cost about $25 and takes 5 minutes to change one.

 

[ChrisfromVT]

Re: Am I being taken?

How did they determine that the solenoid was bad? Replacing the impellar has nada to do with the starter, so it's definitly possible that it randomly crapped out when they tried to fire her up for a test run. Whether or not they had anything to do with the faulty solenoid (and most likely they didn;t) is beside the point that to replace a solenoid is a very easy job that should not take more than 30 min for a certified mechanic if even that. Sounds like a sour deal to me and I'd have a tough time paying that kinda money even if it did actually take them 3 hours to replace and the labor costs were accurate.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Am I being taken?

That's what I thought. I think they're trying to charge me for two hours they spent trying to diagnose a nonexistent problem. I think they either didn't have both sets of wires connected (mine requires the motor cables and house cables be connected or it won't start) or the battery they were using was dead. There is no way it went from 100% to bad in a matter of five days. I'll pay them an extra fifty bucks to keep the peace if that will get me on my way. If they try to hold me up for more than that it won't be a good situation. I think they're planning on doing the right thing. We'll see.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Am I being taken?

So I arrived at the shop yesterday afternoon. The kid up front, whom I've dealt with several times in the past, started trying to justify the bill. I just told him as pleasantly as possible that it was too much and they were going to have to work with me on it. Another guy heard the conversation and went to get the mechanic. The mechanic came in with a scowl on his face clearly spoiling for a fight and asked what the problem was. I told him I felt like the bill was way too high. He said when they got ready to test the new impeller they couldn't get the motor to start, so they replaced the solenoid. I said I'd be glad to pay for the part and his time to put it on, but not the extra hour and a half he charged me to diagnose the problem. He got huffy and said he'd put the old one back on and park the boat out in the parking lot and I could take it. I said that would be fine and he stormed out into the shop. I don't think he was prepared for my response. Once the door shut I told the kid all the drama was not necessary and asked him whether we couldn't work something out. I ended up paying them $265, which was still too much, but it was better than $370.
So, should it really take a certified mechanic an hour and a half to diagnose a bad solenoid? I think we all know the answer to that one. Given that answer, I'm forced to consider two possibilities. Is he just a terrible mechanic, or was this an extreme case of bill padding? Or, am I missing something and oversimplifying the situation? If so, someone please tell me. I honestly don't know, but I do know I won't be taking either of my Mercs there any more. Hope it was worth it to him.

 

[whit71]

Re: Am I being taken?

I dont understand why the shop manager allowed the mechanic to negotiate this situation he (manager) should have listened to your concerns then talked to the mechanic and made a decision. sounds like the inmates (mechanic) is running the asylum..

 

[lncoop]

Re: Am I being taken?

Not sure if there even is a shop manager. It's a strange place. I only used them because they said they could get me in this week. Guess now I know why.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Am I being taken?

Confused mechanic covering his sitter. It didn't start, he replaced the solenoid without diagnostics, which would have taken a reasonable mechanic all of 3 minutes. Then he went about trying to figure out how to start your boat. Had to cover for the coupla hours it took him to figure it out. Had to come up with some excuse.

I would have point blank said put the old solenoid back on, I'll pay for the water pump repair, and you pay for your own schooling.

Classic, I needed a drive shaft replaced on my front wheel drive van. Looked under it and the left one had a ripped boot and was obviously loose. I left the van at the shop with instructions to replace the left driveshaft. I figured they'd charge me about 100 for a shaft that cost them 50, maybe 75 for labor as it's about a 30 minute job, and I'd save a dirty shirt and a coupla hours I figured I couldn't spare.

Bill came to 357 bucks. It included a diagnostic drive for about 60 bucks, and about 175 for the shaft. I told them that I had left written instructions and they did not have to go on a paid joy ride, and that's way too much to pay for the only $50 shaft NAPA had in stock. They settled for $200, and lost a good customer.

my 02
John

 

[lncoop]

Re: Am I being taken?

I believe your analysis is spot on. In the end I guess I just paid a little more than I should have to extricate myself from the situation. We have an extended lake trip this weekend and the last thing I wanted was a heartbroken daughter.