Anyone else think this is a little crazy?

Blackmist27 · 09-23-2009, 04:40 PM

Ok,

so there is a shop in Marin County which will remain nameless for now that i have had lots of work done in the past and referred lots of work to as well. although over the last few months with the economic down turn and what not i have noticed them getting very greedy with how their pricing. now, i fully understand its not easy for a small business to make it but at the end of the day treating customers that bring you LOTs of business like shit is STUPID! the owner from the shop has a problem with me because i asked about getting suspension from them but their pricess was pretty high, about $700 more than i found it for. so they couldnt match, which i understand and so i just bought them online and will install myself. however, i wanted this shop to do the sway bars. so sent them an email and he sends me back a verbal quote at about $1000!?!?!?!?

? are you serious? has anyone else paid that much for basic swaybars and end links? i think they are either Cusco sways and whitelinke endlinks or Whiteline everything for my 09 sedan... am i wrong to think this shop owner just doesnt like me and is trying to take advantage? or he doesnt want my business even if he is hurting for$? anyone identify with this?

pzr2874 · 09-24-2009, 05:59 AM

Is this the pricing for the bars and endlinks OR install ?

I would just go in there and talk to him.... That OR he thinks you can install the bars and links yourself (which you can) 2-3 hours for both.

MAybe he's tired of messing w/you ?

VisiX · 09-24-2009, 10:16 AM

I would expect to be charged about 500-600 for parts and 300ish for install. Depending on the parts you get this could be more.

04paulieWRX · 09-24-2009, 11:18 AM

something like that you should buy yourself on the internet and install yourself...i am by no means a mechanic, but you will save alot of money......money that could be used to buy more parts

Blackmist27 · 09-24-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04paulieWRX

something like that you should buy yourself on the internet and install yourself...i am by no means a mechanic, but you will save alot of money......money that could be used to buy more parts

ya,
i thought about doing the install myself but its hard because i live in a apartment complex and they dont allow people working on their cars. so really i dont have any where to do this. plus i would need to go buy some tools. sucks... but sounds like 800-1000 is what i can expect.

pzr2874 · 09-24-2009, 12:31 PM

No buddies in the area ? You might consider seeing if your local dealer can rent a bay out to you for a few hours.... Are you in the military ?

Blackmist27 · 09-24-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pzr2874

No buddies in the area ? You might consider seeing if your local dealer can rent a bay out to you for a few hours.... Are you in the military ?

interesting idea... although not really sure anyone would let me rent out a bay. i mean, insurance wouldnt let me work on their property im sure for liability reasons. in any case i may try to do this at a friends place. we shall see.

VisiX · 09-24-2009, 12:44 PM

Do it in the parking lot at Walmart. All you need is a few sockets, a ratchet, and a breaker bar (I needed a hacksaw to cut my old bolts on the endlinks). If anyone asks just tell them your car broke down and you are fixing it. It should be fun explaining why your subframe is sitting on the ground.

pzr2874 · 09-24-2009, 02:44 PM

There is 1 dealer here that has a "bay-day" every 2 months.... Not like I'd personally do it... but you get the idea. A buddy of mine here was in the military and let me go on base with him and use the lift and such.... just sayin

Blackmist27 · 09-24-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pzr2874

There is 1 dealer here that has a "bay-day" every 2 months.... Not like I'd personally do it... but you get the idea. A buddy of mine here was in the military and let me go on base with him and use the lift and such.... just sayin

i hear ya... the problem with this dealer is that he is always like this now. not sure what his problem is. he just acts very defensive. just not good for customer service or for customers that consistently bring you business and refer business to you. ya know?

VisiX · 09-24-2009, 03:16 PM

Maybe he's just a jerk, some people are. If you don't like the guy go somewhere else, it's not like the pricing is so great. What is keeping you going back to these people?

Blackmist27 · 09-24-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VisiX

Maybe he's just a jerk, some people are. If you don't like the guy go somewhere else, it's not like the pricing is so great. What is keeping you going back to these people?

pricing used to be great. service used to be great. i used to be friends with the owner (not the brother co-owner). also the sheer convenience of the shops location. in any case, i wont go back there any time soon unless homeboy changes his tune. these days its not wise for small businesses to be not caring about customers and earning money. just doesnt make sense. anyways, i will get the sways done somewhere else. just hope these guys smarten up for the future.