Well, I just had my AC converted. My compressor was bad, so I took it out, evacuated the system, and removed the hoses, which needed to be replaced. I found a compressor at the junk yard, and was planning on attempting this conversion myself, when I thought about my other projects, my ability to make things more complicated, and my lack of any time whatsoever. I got my local mechanic to take over-guy I know, pretty upfront about the job, figured around $500CND, which I didn't like, but figured would be average, considering he had to flush everything, get a new hose, etc, etc. Yeah, so the point here...I went to pick my baby up today, and first, I notice the chip in the driver's side door ground effect where it had hit the hoist. I took a breath, mentioned it and realizing not much could be achieved now, left it alone. AC was cold(nice change), so I go to pay the bill...$1000!!! What the hell? I know he felt bad about it, not realizing how out of hand it got, he totalled and retotalled it 10 times, but that's it. I told him I had to transfer cash to that account and walked out. Just not much I can do. Anyone that read this far, thanks-I just need to vent. Not much to reply to...

 

I dont understand, why don't you get some money back for the chip in your ground effect? he charged the hell out of you and still screwed up your car?

 

If he quoted you 500 bucks and charged you 1000, take him to court. He is supposed to notify you of any additional charges before they are added on. Did you get a written quote? What exactly did he do for 1000 bucks anyway?

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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, current red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

[This message has been edited by 82camaro (edited June 22, 2001).]

 

This is a small town, and the court thing isn't an option. He moved parts from the old to the new compressor, flushed the system, new hoses, new condensor, I don't know, I've got the bill somewhere...I know what you'll all say about the court option and having him pay for things, and those are my thoughts, too, but everyone knows each other here and I'm just kind of between a rock and a hard place.

 

Here it is-accumulator, orifice tube, roller bearing, hose assembly, changeover kit, dye, R-134A, compressor shaft seal kit, belt, ?cleaner?, flush solvent, shop mat...plus labor...

 

I hope he had your car for a very long time, I don't want to tell you what those parts cost.

 

Ouch. Were the charges itemized on your bill?

I feel sorry for you. If nothing else, turn it into a "learning experience" - next time be sure to get an estimate (in writing) and check with several locations to get an idea of what it'll cost.

EDIT:
Okay, just saw it's a small town environment. Well, if "everyone knows everyone else", then perhaps you can do your community a service and let everyone you know about how "helpful" this mechanic was to you (first find out what a fair price would have been).

I've heard it said that one satisifed customer will tell only a couple other people of a pleasant experience, but a dissatisfied customer will tell 9-15 other people... That's why business often go way out of their way to prevent unhappy customers.

[This message has been edited by Stuart Moss (edited June 22, 2001).]

 

Hum,

The ¿cleaner? is a product that is used to soften and remove any particles that may have been left by a burned out compressor and the solvent does essentially the same thing to the varnish that might have been left by the old mineral (PAG) oil in the system, If you have a failed compressor, it looks as if the tech did everything that should have been done to performa the repair and proper conversion. The only mistake may have been in underestimating the cost of the parts.

If I'm correct, that would be about $650.00 US (for all the Yanks). That doesn't sound excessive, but again should have been estimated more closely. Depending on the size and depth of the paint chip, I would certainly make a point of getting it repaired. Complimentary factory touch up paint and a Langka scratch repair kit would be a nice gesture on his part...

http://www.langka.com/

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Later,
Vader
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"Let the bodies hit the floor!"
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