Quoted $531.00 to replace a thermostat. I told the guy he must be effing stupid. A 15-20 minute repair.
In addition I had to pay $97.74 for a diagnostic check. Folks, that's a hundred bucks to plug a computer up.
They offered a discount of $30.00. I said no way. You're not even in the ball park.
When I get there to pick my truck up the guy, Chris, says $380.00. I just laughed at him. I said I'm 52 years old and have changed many thermostats. Nothing to it.
He said "the thermostat is over a hundred dollars". I said it's $36.00 across the street at Auto Zone. $39.00 at O'Reilly's. (I googled it before I went) $59.00 at Pep Boys btw.
Everything about them was a total scam.
The sad thing is that I'm trying to find a trustworthy mechanic. I have a couple of vehicles and I need the thermostat. I also need a brake overhaul, and a front-end alignment with tie-rod ends, tune-up and transmission service. I had plenty of work to offer but if I can't trust them with a simple job then there's no way in hell I'll darken their door again.
I had been a customer at that store 3-4 times in the last couple of months. Last purchase was a jump-starter/inflator combo for around $80 - $90.
People of Las Vegas, does anyone know of an honest mechanic? I have not found one yet in this town.
P.S. If you guys need any help I'll be happy to plug that "Diagnostic" computer in all day long at $48 a pop. Your paper says the shop only gets $7.17 and the mechanic/plugger-inner guy gets $89.00. Hire me as a plugger-inner guy and we can split the whole $98.00 we scam people out of. That's a raise of $41 and change for you Pep Boys!