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| - I really should have checked Yelp before I went. 13 reviews, 1-star place. Add another 1 star for me.
I called because I had an issue that had to be resolved asap. I have an OBD-2 reader, so I was able to check the code before I went in. It was one of two things that could have failed. I also checked the price of the parts online ($24 & $36 at a local zone place), and read up on what it takes to replace each. Both are literally 15 minute repairs, even if you have to do it in your driveway without a full set of mechanic's tools.
Knowing all that before I went in, I called and they said they could diagnose the problem immediately if I brought my truck in. I did. It took about an hour before someone came back and confirmed that it was a stuck thermostat. It was the part that cost $24 at the store. I was assuming a 1/2 hour, tops, and a reasonable markup on the part.
Nope.
I was quoted $277 for the repair. They wanted $75 for the part itself, which was a 300% markup over retail. The mechanic also quoted me an hour of labor (an hour???) and another $80 for coolant, saying that the repair forced them to drain most of the coolant. (Not true.)
I paid the $58 "diagnostic" fee and left, at least happy that I knew which part it was. Although honestly, I could have replaced BOTH in my driveway for the price of the diagnostic.
So I went to the store, bought the thermostat and a gallon of coolant, and spent all of 20 minutes to fix it myself. You remove one hose, remove two bolts, swap out the thermostat, and you're done. I lost maybe a quart of coolant total, which translated to around $5. I used exactly one socket wrench and one pair of pliers. It literally took me longer to clean up afterwards than it did to change the thermostat.
If this place had been anywhere near reasonable, (like $100 or so for the repair), I would have gladly done it. But $277? 300% markup on parts? An hour of labor? And $80 in coolant?
I will never step foot in there again. Nor would I recommend them to anyone.
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