Is the alternator the problem/85 Delta 88

[Msfar]

My son has a Oldsmobile 1985, Delta 88. Firestone told me they could get it in good running order. After spending between $3600-4000 the car is still not running. They would say its ok to pick the car up and a day later it is back at the shop. This has happened 4 times. Now the alternator maybe bad. The battery and the alternator have been replaced. What could be causing it to go out again?

[MagicRat]

Welcome to AF.

Ouch! $4000? That should have been enough money to buy the best 1985 '88' in the country.
We could use some more information. A list of the work that the shop HAS done would help .
When you pick up the car, does it run then not start the next day, or what? A bad alternator will make the car do this.

It is EASY for a shop to test a battery and alternator. If they have been recently replaced already, I do not see why they should be replaced again. If the battery and alternator ARE bad, then whoever replaced them should do so again, for free.

Finally, it is possible the shop is milking you for cash. Frankly, it is misleading and unprofessional for a shop to charge you $4000 to fix a car that is worth at most, half that price.
Imo they should either fix it for free or you should take it to another mechanic for a second opinion before spending a another dime.