Pink Slip Cost in NSW

• 

  brad1-8tsi on 03/05/2024 - 12:04

  +3

  My dude charges me $46 per car. That's all I get done there is the Safety Check. I'd guess it's an illegal fee and should be reported to the RMS. AFAIK, RMS does not provide a subsidy to cover costs. It would be a nightmare and goes against the government policy of slamming motorists to the maximum extent possible.

  Here are the published fees:
  https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/vehicle…

• 

  battler on 03/05/2024 - 12:04

  +1

  Mechanic is having a lend of you.
  Little you can do but don't go back.
  As with all things mechanics, ask for price before the work is done.

• 

  Jaduqimon on 03/05/2024 - 12:10

  +1

  pink slip is such easy money for mechanics. even at $46 seems over priced and this dude is charging an additional $22…

• 

  thrillhouse on 03/05/2024 - 12:30

  +2

  Thanks all. Figured this was the case.
  Tempted to report to RMS, but I'd rather try and understand their perspective a bit more / give them an opportunity to make it right.

  • 

    OMGJL on 03/05/2024 - 12:51

    +2

    before making any complaints to them, act friendly and get them to issue a receipt.

    without the proof of receipt, report not going to go very far.

    • 

      thrillhouse on 03/05/2024 - 12:58

      I've only got the transaction receipt. I'll call them and request an invoice with a breakdown of costs.

  • 

    Gunnar on 03/05/2024 - 14:37

    As above in my experiences on charges (ie only paid the RMS fee)

    The question you need to ask RMS is “is a mechanic allowed to charge me ‘labour and admin’ fees for a pink slip inspection. I ask this question because (and then insert your story)”

    This way you’re asking can they do it, and then context to your question.

• 

  GordonD on 03/05/2024 - 14:35

  Have they cracked down in NSW? Back when I lived there most of the cost of a pink slip was the amount the mechanic extorted from you for what they told you had to be "fixed" before they'd sign off on the pink slip. That's why in this state the garage owners say pink slips should be required in the name of "safety", because they know how much they can make out of them if they are required, and why the state government hasn't dared make them required, even though they would improve safety.

• 

  bobbified on 03/05/2024 - 14:48

  Mechanics don't have the best reputation for honesty… so anything to do with fixing anything on the car, best to send a guy. (don't shoot the messenger - i didn't make up this up myself! lol)

• 

  pegaxs on 03/05/2024 - 15:41

  +5

  He's having a lend. Not to be rude, but for a lot of mechanics, women are soft targets. One of the reason I stopped working for stealerships was this abuse.

  Anyway, just go back and tell them that your wife was in and got a pink slip done and she didn't get an invoice/receipt for the check. Ask them to issue you with an invoice for the work. If it is only made out to be $46, then ask why she was charged $68. If they say that it covers *blah blah*, then say, "oh, no problem, can I just get that on the invoice with the total cost, as I need to reconcile this at the end of the month."

  If the invoice is for $68, then no problem. Take the invoice down to the RMS and get a "please explain" from them. They take a pretty dim view of checking stations taking people for a ride. If these checking stations could charge what they wanted, the arseholes could basically hold cars hostage until you paid whatever they demand, hence the reason it is a fixed price.

  100% chase it up through RMS and NEVER go back to this shonkster again. Also, let all your friends know about this prick pulling this shit.

  • 

    thrillhouse on 03/05/2024 - 16:34

    +1

    Thanks mate, I did fear they'd try and pull a fast one on her, and was explicit with her that she shouldn't allow them to carry out any work whatsoever. It's a brand new car, so it's roadworthy (long boring story as to why I need a pink slip). I don't blame her at all, and even I would've probably paid for it on the spot and assumed it was normal (I haven't had to get a pink slip in years).

    Great advice, too. They're open tomorrow so I'm going to swing past and approach it exactly as you've suggested.

    Will keep this thread updated.

    • 

      MS Paint on 04/05/2024 - 09:22

      +1

      Well, how did you go this morning?

      • 

        Devastator0 on 04/05/2024 - 12:29

        Yeah I'd love to hear the update on this one.

      • 

        thrillhouse on 05/05/2024 - 16:06

        +2

        They were closed despite their website hours saying otherwise. Typical. Will head there during the week.

      • 

        thrillhouse on 10/05/2024 - 16:37

        +5

        Managed to get there this afternoon. Asked for an invoice, sure enough it was for $68 with $3 admin fee and $19 for "consumables".

        I quizzed them on that, and the spiel I got was that RMS used to reimburse them for the labor, but they're not anymore, so this is their way to recoup some of that loss. I knew based on the responses here that was likely not true, but I played dumb, and thanked them for the invoice.

        I just kept thinking in my head, "if you're not happy about "losing money" on the e-safety checks, then don't offer them?"

        So now I just need to get that to RMS and understand more. Thanks for the advice.

• 

  Bignudge on 03/05/2024 - 18:41

  My regular dude charges me $46 as well every time. I just give him a $50 and bob's your uncle.