battery problem

While driving to work all of my dash warning lights started flashing off and on. My headlights were also blinking and I could here a sound as if the computer relay was running. Took it to the dealer and he couldn't tell anything with the 89.00 diagnostic and told me just to find the problem would be 307.00. I was told the problem was my negative battery cable shorted. With the diagnostic, new cable and reset the computer it is costing 497.00. Has anyone else had this problem? I feel as if I am getting ripped off at the dealer as usual.

Hmm yep. Probably could have fixed it yourself. Next time get a chiltons or haynes manual and fix it yerself.