Took my car into Walt Eger for an alternator/belt replacement. I supplied my own parts purchased from a specialty parts shop and had them shipped to the shop. When I picked up the car, I was told by the manager that the labor cost for a simple change out was $399.00. I told the manager I knew exactly what the Chilton guideline was (1.3), and that I was overcharged and never, ever taking my car back there. The manager then said his mechanic was following the same guidelines and that I was wrong. When I looked him in the eyes and said I'm not a fool, I know exactly how much the labor should be because my father has owned a shop in Florida for 30 years and told me what the standard was. Somehow, miraculously, the manager said that I was right and that the mechanic had made an "honest mistake", "a push of the wrong button", and my bill was reduced to reflect the correct labor cost. Even if it was an "honest mistake", it should have been caught and corrected by the manager before I even arrived. Times are hard and $200 goes a long way in my house. To think they would have let me walk out of there having paid $399.00 for a job that MAY have taken an hour and a half was completely demoralizing. Maybe someday, shop owners will wake up and realize that the couple of hundred dollars made on an "honest mistake", results in thousands in lost business. Had I been treated fairly, I would have spent at least a couple of thousand in upgrades and maintenance on my car. Now, I'll never go back. Not for anything.Oh also, when I took my car in the gas gauge was working fine. Now it isn't. Demoralizing.
Thank you for your feedback. We always appreciate hearing from our customers, especially if there is a problem so we can help resolve it as fast as possible. My manager has apologized for the mistake in quoting you an incorrect price. Let me also apologize for the mistake. We try very hard to review all quotes but somehow the mistake still happened If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I would love to speak to you.
- Walt Eger's Service Center