Have I Been Getting Ripped Off?

[deb0704us]

I've been reading a lot of the posts. I've had the light out on the steering wheel problem ($238.46 for one) and now the other side is out. I saw the site that tells me how to replace the bulb myself. I've had the water problem on passenger floor ($791.22). Circuit City stuck me with speakers that sound bad - not telling me first that they weren't the right kind for my stock stereo! I've had the whine coming through the radio - they said it's the rear defroster, replaced rear windshield ($378.50). I told them about the crunching noise - they could not duplicate the noise at that time, which was back in April. It is now November and the noise is worse than ever...we all think its struts and associated parts going bad.

Am I getting ripped off or do I just feel like I'm getting ripped off?

[93cobra]

It sounds like you are getting taken advantage of in some things. !st if you had Circuit City install your speakers, take the car back and tell them the sound is unacceptable. Give them a choice of setting you up with the correct speakers for the system in your car or refund your money. The Tech should have set you up with the correct speakers in the first place.

[theblurr87]

[quote=deb0704us]I've been reading a lot of the posts. I've had the light out on the steering wheel problem ($238.46 for one) and now the other side is out. I saw the site that tells me how to replace the bulb myself. QUOTE]

did you actually pay that?!?! god i hope not. the bulb at radio shack was like $1.70 or so for two of em (i'll get the receipt if i can find it later) and right next to it was a soldering kit for like 9 bucks but didn't need to buy one. Also, if you dont have needle nose pliars and other small tools you dont really need em. I got it done with all regular oversized tools for the job. just takes a bit of finagling thats all. good luck replacing the other side, and dont let the stealers rip you off anymore!

[GTP Dad]

To answer your question. YES! you are getting ripped off. What could possibly cost $791 for water on the passenger floor. You probably had a clogged drain in the HVAC duct. As far as the radio noise goes the defroster may have contributed to it but if you have the wrong speakers then that was probably the majority of the problem. If you need new struts, find a different mechanic. The struts are less than $80 each at autozone although you may need some associated hardware. Still should only take a couple of hours and a 4 wheel alignment to get you back on the road. Shop around for the best price.

[kustomkid54]

Boy I sure hope they are kissing you.

[deb0704us]

Thanks guys for confirming my suspicions. I HAVE been getting ripped off, and do I feel stupid. How do I become "car smart"? I just thought of another rip off this year. My tires. My hubby had four fancy tires put on my car, special order. Six months later I find a nail in one, in of all places - the Pep Boys parking lot. Do you think they planted the nail there? So I go back into Pep Boys again (I was there buying wiper blades) and they look at the tire. Nail is right on the corner to the sidewall. Can't fix, have to replace. They don't carry my kind of tires. I say put on the cheapest tire my size and get me outta here. Later, I call the special tire place and they order me another tire to match my fancy tires. When they finally got the tire in, after ordering it twice, I make appt to get it put on. They pull my car in and put it the new tire on while I wait. They pull the car out, and tell me I'm all ready to go. I walk out AND THE NEW TIRE IS DIFFERENT!!! And they have lost some of my lug nut caps!!!! My blood pressure rises as I go wait in line again to express my displeasure. The guy is like, what? Let me see what you are talking about. I show him new tire is different than the other three. And caps are missing. He tells me go sit down. He finds my caps in the garage area, puts them on, but doesn't tell me. He goes back in and makes calls. They say that my tires were discontinued and that this is the replacement for it. So now I have three matching tires and one not matching. Months later, hubby spoke to a BF Goodrich rep on the Hot Rod Power Tour who said they should have given me two new matching tires at that time. How was I supposed to know to request that? But something told me one odd tire isn't a good thing.

[kustomkid54]

tell your husband, I pay about $150.00 per tire. The guy at the tire store says because my car is a "race car" They should only last 9 months, or 9,000 miles. But when you stand on it, try grab everytime.
I would call Goodrich and have them call the dealer. Tell them to replace the 2. They are making Goodrich look bad.

[GTP Dad]

Sometimes experience is the best teacher although keep reading this forum and everyone here will be glad to help you with your questions and assist you before you get ripped of again. One of the best ways to not get ripped of is to ask questions about what is being done to your car and why. If they are a reputable place they will give you an explanation of what they are doing. Also, don't accept what they say without an estimate of cost. If the cost seems high question ask them about it and if they don't give you good answers go someplace else. The last thing is if you have a question, post a new thread and the thousands of years of experience on this board will be glad to help out!

[deb0704us]

Over on the Pontiac-Nonspecific board there is a great article I just read: The Truth About The Auto Repair Industry.