My wife recently went to the dealership for her inspection and to replace front brake pads/resurface front rotors on a 2018 Honda CR-V. After waiting for 2 hours to be completed for everything, she received the bill. On there, they charged $639 for parts and labor for replacing the front brakes/resurfacing the front rotors! $79 was for the parts and they charged for 4 hours of labor totaling $560. My wife mentioned to them that she was not even there for that long so how could they charge her for that long. Their response was that's the standard rate they charge for replacing brakes (4 hours) no matter how long it takes. Is this justifiable? Is it possible to report/complain to the BBB and/or attorney general or would we be wasting our time? The Honda dealership that I use charges $299 for parts and labor for the same service (still too expensive I know).
Some dealerships will charge what's called "book rate" no matter how long the job actually takes them.
This is why you shouldn't go to dealerships. Or, get an estimate, or clarify a business' rate BEFORE you tell them to go ahead with the work.
I don't think your complaint will go far. Everything they did is legal.
Went there for the "free" first inspection. Would it hurt to file a complaint at all? Obviously, they lost our business .
"I don't like your rate" is not grounds for a complaint.
"free" first inspection.
Wait, first inspection? Im guessing you bought it within the last year used from the dealership.
Also yeah, the inspection was free, but because of the inspection they determined you needed brake work.
MMJ is 100% correct, if the job says it takes 4 hours, they can charge 4 hours. That's the business. Usually this screws over the tech, because they might only get paid 4 hours worth even if a job takes 6 hours to do.
I mean it could be worse, they could have made your wife wait an extra 2 hours (the full 4 hours) once they were done so she wouldn't have known it only took 2 hours.
This is why a GOOD independent mechanic is the way to go
but if the tech is good, and it takes him half the time, then he's making double rate.
Life's all about mindset!
What time did she arrive for the service and what time was the service done at? I would get a lawyer involved. Report this dealer.
As stated on the invoice, she arrived at 9:53 AM and the bill/invoice was paid at 12:07 PM.
Small claims court.
Yes, too much. But that’s why they are called stealerships. Stealerships will charge as much as they can. And it seems like they did!
