Did my LBS try to scam me?

[uncinqsix]

My 6 month old hybrid developed a bit of play and a clicking noise in the rear hub, so I dropped it off at the shop I bought it from to sort out, on the basis that it could be done under warranty if any parts etc were needed. I picked it up at the end of the day and was told that there was mud and water in the hub, and a few bearings had to be replaced. As it was "wear," it wasn't a warranty repair and I was presented with a bill for $59.50 (divide by 2 to get approx value in pounds). I was a bit miffed that it wasn't covered, but wanted to get home so paid and left.

Later on, I looked at my receipt and saw that I had been charged for 3 x 1/4" bearings @ $6.50 each, for a total of $19.50.

Yes, Almost $20 for 3 ball bearings, which cost between 10-15c each.

So, I trotted back there today with my receipt and gently suggested that they may have made some mistake. The goon on the counter looked the price up on the computer and confimed that it was correct but rather sheepishly agreed with me that it was a tad excessive. He didn't seem surprised, and didn't appear to have any idea what the price should have been. He then practically threw $20 at me and unconvincingly muttered something about needing to fix price in the computer.

The overall impression I got was that I had caught them out. They couldn't not have noticed the exorbitant price for the bearings when they processed the sale (the bloke that did the work did this, so he really didn't have an excuse there). I strongly suspect that they charge everyone that price on the basis that most of their customers have no idea what bearings are supposed to cost, and just refund anyone who queries it.

I have no proof of that obviously, but I don't think I'll be darkening their door again.

[IN51GHT]

Did they replace three individual 1/4" balls or three 1/4" ball cages & the receipt is just badly worded? It's quite possible, one cage each side & one in the freewheel.

[uncinqsix]

Definitely 3 individual balls. The guy who did the work confirmed it and even showed me the little tray of balls with the correct code and $6.50 price on...

[rhinochopig]

Odd that you'd replace individual balls as well. Typical one shot, all shot as a damaged bearing tends to scour the race.

[IN51GHT]

In that case

1. You were ripped off.

2. The mechanic was a numpty as very soon the rest of the balls will go South & need replacing.

3. Learn some basic cycle maintenece & save yourself $$$$

[uncinqsix]

The only reason I went there was in the hope it would be covered under warranty, otherwise I'd do all my own spannering. I don't think it should have been able to get into that state in that time, and the fact the bearings could fill with water under normal use doesn't seem right.

I am annoyed that they've left the hub with mismatched balls, but at $6.50 a pop maybe they were trying to save me money I'll strip it down and redo it with fresh balls sometime soon.