Repair Help

[F7LDA]

Looking for opinions on how to approach a problem I’ve just experienced with a local specialists.

Took my car in for an inspection to be told it needed some suspension work - mainly ball joints, track rod ends etc. I was told certain things had to be done and others not so much and could be done next year. I verbally gave them a £1000 budget and then when I dropped the car off reiterated this saying I would do the rest at its service in four months time (as I was about to fly off to the States for a month on holiday - where I currently still am).

Just had an email from them to say the car is ready to collect when i get back on Monday and the bill is......£3500. Parts alone are over £1300 with the rest being labour and VAT. I’ve obviously instantly replied saying I’m confused / concerned about the invoice but given the time difference of where I am I’m yet to hear back. I’ll be calling them tomorrow however wanted to see if this has happened to anyone before and where I stand? My budget and expectations could not have been any more clear.

Very reputable and really nice guys to date therefore hoping they can help resolve; albeit I’m struggling to see how given parts have been used already and they alone exceed my budget.

[R36vw]

Firstly although verbally, this has been a clear breakdown, misunderstanding in communication, or theyre not as genuine as you perceive them to be. The work you mentioned would have had me thinking 2-3k straight away, so your 1k wasnt going to go far. Talk it out, but id say your going to need to dig in to your pocket on your defered work unfortunately.

What I would say is you need to up your slush fund to cover the running and servicing. Its unfortunate, but generally over a longer period will average out. Youve just copped it towards the beginning.

[F7LDA]

Thanks for the reply. While I would normally agree with you, the car has had over £6k of work in the last three months therefore don’t think my slush fund needs topped up (further more I can afford to pay it by moving money - but I shouldn’t have to is more the point).

I agree with comms - albeit I was incredibly clear as to my budget. I only wanted a ball joint, drop link and a couple of bushes sorted therefore given a labour rate of £60 an hour I don’t think my £1k was unreasonable.

Will report back what they say.

[voicey]

If I had mistakenly fitted a load of parts that a customer hadn't asked for then I'd be expecting to wear the bulk of the cost.

[F7LDA]

Thanks Voicey. I think as above it’s just a breakdown in comms from their service manager who I was dealing with. They seem a good garage and the top guy there is very knowledgeable and will hopefully sort something out after speaking to the person in question.