Mechanic Wants to Charge Me $1000 More than Quoted Price for Replacing Peugeot Timing Chain

Meercat on 15/12/2020 - 20:38
Last edited 16/12/2020 - 02:18 by 1 other user

Hi all, I took my car (Peugeot) to a mechanic to having timing chain replaced.

He said he has never done the job on a Peugeot before so he wasn't sure how much it will cost exactly so he gave me a quote to do the job between $1500 and $2000 which I agreed and I budgeted $2000. He has had my car in his workshop for over 3 weeks now he says it took him longer than he thought it would and wants me to pay $3000. He denied giving me the quoted price. I am angry to say the least and refused to pay.

Just wanted to know where I stand and how I would go about getting my car.

Automotive

Comments

    • slipperypete on 18/12/2020 - 05:11
      +1

      why the downvotes?!?!

  • TheOtherLeft on 16/12/2020 - 08:04

    He probably had to buy the "special tools" which he'll most likely never use again.

    • juzza87 on 16/12/2020 - 10:11
      +4

      He would have bought them, used them and then returned them.

    • Jalif on 16/12/2020 - 10:12
      +1

      I think you're on the money.

      French cars often have special tools for specific models.

      French cars aren't really engineered, they're just assembled.

      The same thing happens with BMW and Audi, but in those cases it's deliberate.

      • Sammy2000 on 16/12/2020 - 11:10

        Perhaps he could not return the tools so is charging for them too.

  • holdenmg on 16/12/2020 - 08:23
    +1

    Is this in Tasmania?

    Have a look at:
    https://vacc.com.au/TACC/Motorist-tips-advice/Consumer-advic…
    If your Mechanic is a TACC Member, Conciliation between the parties

    and
    https://vacc.com.au/TACC/Motorist-tips-advice/Repairers-lien

  • Soundwave on 16/12/2020 - 08:35
    -6

    It's a quote therefore an estimated price. Sure the mechanic should have called you and said it was going to cost more than what he quoted. But you cannot hold them to a price they quoted when it's not a confirmed price.

    • Summoner on 16/12/2020 - 08:57
      +3

      Source

      A quote is a statement of the price at which a business will supply goods or services. When you accept a quote, you have formed a contract. Always get at least three written quotes before you buy expensive goods or services

      Quote is not an estimate, unless the quote clearly state that it is an estimate.

      • knk on 17/12/2020 - 10:24
        +1

        Even if it were an estimate, you can't just rack up a huge tab and expect the customer to pay it without agreeing prior.

  • AustriaBargain on 16/12/2020 - 08:39
    -3

    If you didn't get anything in writing and he's already denied it, then the official story will be you're the liar. Your choice is to pay the extra $1000 and get your car back, or he keeps your car over a protracted exercise of calling you a liar. Lesson learned, you're lucky he only asked for $1,000. Next time someone takes you for 10k you'll have the original agreement in writing.

  • Summoner on 16/12/2020 - 08:43
    +2

    It would have been great to have the original quote in writing. In any case, if the mechanic originally gave you a quote ranging $1500~$2000, he should have called you as soon as he realised the cost goes over $2000. Giving a verbal quote first and asking for a excessive charge is a bad practice. I would try negotiating closer to $2000 which is agreed price. And if your State allows recording phone conversation you are involved in, I would definitely call and discuss about the different quote compare to original for future reference if you have any intention to raise a dispute.

    • Summoner on 16/12/2020 - 09:13
      +2

      Also, if the mechanic have never worked on the Model of your car, additional time is a direct result of his lack of knowledge on the Model. I would definitely argue as I would have no intention to pay for his education.

      • Meercat on 16/12/2020 - 09:19

        Thanks mate you have been very helpful

      • knk on 17/12/2020 - 10:24

        Probably paying for the specialty tools aswell and not just the education lol

  • Legoncy on 16/12/2020 - 09:42

    I'm Just surprised you went ahead ahead with a mechanic who openly said he's never done it before and doesn't know what to charge, more so that you got only a verbal quote not a written in this matter.
    This will be a good life lesson for you - try to look at it positively even though that's hard.
    I reckon try and meet him halfway at 2.5

  • OzHunterNSW on 16/12/2020 - 10:13
    +1

    NOway….
    This is in fact a major job requiring specialist tools and knowledge.
    Why didn't you take it to a proper mechanic who deals with these vehicles?
    All mechanics have access to computer information which outlines expected times, parts, etc… he would have known precisely how long the job would take.

    Contact another mechanic who is failure with your particular make, and ask them how much it should cost.

    Then have this mechanic explain himself.

  • jd4free on 16/12/2020 - 12:48
    +5

    Option 1 . Negotiate out of court. - Get a few written quotes and go back and tell him it's only fair that you pay what is a fair and reasonable cost for the work. if he gets stroppy then tell him you're not into paying extra for his educaton as stated befofre,

    option 2. if he's still unreasonable make sure you have all of this documented ,pay the $3K to get your car back and then take it through small claims, but be prepared to wait a year or more to get resolved. - Best case you do finally get $1000 back,
    but is it worth all your time and effort,…. on the other hand are you sure he's done a good job here ?
    I had my 14B Rx3 engine reconditioned by a "rotary specialist" and was blowing smoke after the reco, I got booked for it, so had to get itt reconditioned again.
    Finally after 20 months in court I had my day, got my money back, but in hindsight wasn't worht all the effort for $1200, considering all the time i had to put into it, anyway that's my 2 cents.

  • FreeUyghur on 16/12/2020 - 13:03

    do not pay extra, if you have received written quotation with company logo and ABN no on it

  • jd4free on 16/12/2020 - 16:37
    +1

    Good luck trying to get your car out. though I would ( verbally) agree to pay later, see if you can get your car out by saying you will pay in installments, and then make him chase it up… but he sounds pretty savvy.
    As this case has no written quote, so it all may become he said , she said.
    Pretty sad when you get into this litigation but if there are txt messages or emails that may be of use then document it all and head to court, usually for $1000 they take the hit and don't even bother to turn up, as this loss is more than what they make in a day.
    As long as you have enough evidence then the Judge will rule in your favour usually, problem is getting the money out of him takes some effort.

    • Meercat on 16/12/2020 - 20:11

      Thanks mate. I have paid the amount he asked and I plan to do exactly what you suggested.

  • Ctn on 16/12/2020 - 21:27
    +1

    Very strange. I would have thought only the tensioner needs to be replaced.

    • brendanm on 17/12/2020 - 21:25

      It's too late for that after they've been noisy for a while.

  • Wiser on 17/12/2020 - 01:38

    2018 model
    This shhould be covered under warranty.

  • MagicOZ on 17/12/2020 - 05:01

    2000 means 2000! If the mechanics does the job quicker do you get charged less? No of course.

  • Will Mcdonald on 17/12/2020 - 08:22
    +2

    Half a days worth of work and $300 part at most, you got a copy of the quote to see?

  • cashless on 17/12/2020 - 08:25
    -2

    I took my car (Peugeot)

    At the risk of upsetting certain regular commenters, buying Peugeot was the first mistake you made

    • johnno07 on 17/12/2020 - 09:12
      +5

      You're only the 400th person to say that on the post.

  • nubzy on 17/12/2020 - 08:35
    -3

    Contact Peugeot Australia and you might even get them to do it (or at least contribute) under goodwill as it is a known issue..

    • CocaKoala on 17/12/2020 - 11:57
      +4

      Sure thing, Peugeot should pay to replace a part in a 20 year old with 280,000 KMs car based on "goodwill" because the OP was too stupid to get their car to a mechanic who was clueless about how to work on the thing to begin with, and then took 3 weeks to do what's essentially half a day's worth of work.

      • nubzy on 17/12/2020 - 12:44

        Was not aware of the age of car, but they have done it for people with Peugeots under 10 years old if you approach them.

      • brendanm on 17/12/2020 - 21:26
        +1

        It's more than half a day's work mate.

        • CocaKoala on 17/12/2020 - 22:01

          Agreed I was exaggerating but only because we're comparing it to three weeks.

  • johnno07 on 17/12/2020 - 09:12
    +1

    He shouldn't have taken the job, and you shouldn't have given it to him. I think the best you can hope for is to try and have that conversation calmly and shoot for an in the middle amount ($2500). Take it as a $500 lesson learned.

  • Brianqpr on 17/12/2020 - 09:54

    Big mistake. If he's never done it on that car before then he doesn't know how long it will take him and the labour cost is open ended. As you have discovered. Although he should have given you a heads up once he realised it was going to be more.

  • CocaKoala on 17/12/2020 - 11:59
    +2

    Posts like this remind me why I've stuck with my trustworthy mechanic for such a long time. Cars have come and gone, but this bloke is the one who has looked after each one of them for me. I have not even been asking for a quote for years now - he's bloody good, honest, and knows his way around cars.

    May be I'll buy him a coffee and a snack next time he's servicing my car.

  • lonewolf on 17/12/2020 - 15:44
    +2

    Where is your mechanic? I hope it isnt payless on cosgrove road enfield. Those guys are a bunch of rip offs who actually swapped out brakes etc for used ones and caused 2 accidents.

  • djprima on 17/12/2020 - 21:10

    Has been said above, contact a Peugeot specialist to get a comparable quote. You can DM me if you need one, or check aussiefrogs

    • Meercat on 18/12/2020 - 00:06

      Thankyou. I have contacted a local dealer and waiting for a quote.

  • utsc on 17/12/2020 - 21:41
    +2

    OP has already paid the whatever the mechanic asked. I doubt OP even asked another quote from European Specialist. Highly unlikely to get any money back ever !

    I wonder why people ask for advice in this forum when they don't bother to follow up with the consensus advice here; it's it a waste of everyone time unless people enjoying whining?

    • gimme on 17/12/2020 - 23:02

      Can't go wrong with doing the ecact oposite of the consensus here

  • paloverde88 on 18/12/2020 - 03:04

    European cars are not cheap to service I only had 45 k on my Peugeot and for no reason coolant reservoir was empty and could not see any leaking on the floor. Anyway long story short took it to the same authorized service centre (once upon a time authorised by Peugeot themselves, but since the service centre decided based on a commercial reason not to pay Peugeot the fees for the privilege of saying 'authorised') They are no longer considered authorised, however I am still paying them as if they were authorised because they do have qualified people working on Peugeot I have never had an issue with them though they do charge marginally less than dealers I prefer not to go to dealers.
    Anyways back to the coolant issue - $1400 including replacement of a odd looking pipe thingo and normal service oil and filter.

  • slipperypete on 18/12/2020 - 05:19

    Despite some dodgy stories it may be worth seeing what he actually did and whether it is above board. There may have been other issues so is definitely worth having someone with experience looking over the costs. I used to work in a garage 35 years ago. We had people come in shocked at the bill. My boss didn't con them but also he could have phoned them to say we found extra things and gave them the option!!

    With social media con men don't last long these days and it may be that the extra work was valid….maybe not, he may just be a very bad mechanic or simply taking you for a ride.

    Hope you get to the bottom of it

  • Jackkkkkk on 18/12/2020 - 11:21
    +1

    This reminds me of the cheap oil change video, but ends up paying $300 more for brake fluid, power steering fluid and all the other fluids changed without being changed. Hahaha

  • Maxxjet on 18/12/2020 - 17:16
    +1

    God, hope the French made submarines last longer than this….lolz

  • OzzyOzbourne on 18/12/2020 - 17:42

    In my experience of French cars, it wouldn't suprise me if it was an engine out job, then one of the bolts would only be accessible from inside the gearbox and another from inside the engine case, requiring the gearbox and engine to be dismantled!

    Renault scenic needed the front end removing to change the headlight globes, despite it being a legal requirement to carry globes in Europe!

  • Mikinoz on 18/12/2020 - 17:56
    +1

    This is really easy to solve. Don't pay, leave the car with him. You are better off in the long run

    Buy a different non Peugeot, possibly Japanese car. Winning

    • matt-ozb on 18/12/2020 - 18:40
      +1

      This is the best solution to the problem

  • Yorkshire-Man on 18/12/2020 - 21:01

    My first ever car was french, it was truely the worst car I've ever owned. I feel for you.

    • slick7 on 20/12/2020 - 09:01

      my first car (other than a hand me down) was also French and it's the car I miss the most…

  • brad1-8tsi on 18/12/2020 - 23:55
    +1

    If you live in Sydney, the only place I'd take a Pug is the guy in Carlton

  • sd4f on 23/12/2020 - 22:52

    Unfortunately, I think you can either negotiate or you'll have to take the bath.

    I learnt with a mercedes, you're much better off finding specialists, and taking it to them, if they know what they're doing, you won't be paying them to learn how to fix your car, and even worse, make all their mistakes on your car.

    What this ultimately means is, if you want low cost of ownership, then consider only toyota and hyundai. Sure the euro's are nicer and you get a whole lot of car for the money, but there's a reason they depreciate heavily once they hit a few years old, and start to require expensive maintenance and have reliability issues.

    This is a big minus of Tesla's, even though they won't have drivetrain problems like ICE vehicles, they're too different and new that no mechanics will have experience with them, so you'll be beholden to going to the dealer all the time (dealer == $$$) and tesla also has a habit of locking down their systems and switching off functions if third parties tinker with them, a big one in the US is, if someone repairs a vehicle, they try to track down the VIN and switch off fast charging.

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