Did I pay a fair price for these auto repairs?

[fred89]

I took my 2000 Toyota Corolla to a mechanic while back for some repairs. I just had an accident and I need to take it back for some repairs (flasher, bumper, etc.). I just want to know that based on the last time, is he an expensive guy or not?
This is the list of repairs from last time (parts & labor):
Replace front brake pads/Machined both rotors/Service caliper sliders ($196 L + $96 P)
Replace rear brake shoes/Machined drums/Replaced brake hardware ($196 L + $120 P)
Installed transmission cleaner, flushed transmission & cooler, installed fluid conditioner ($98 L + $68 P)
[Oil leak from timing chain tensioner seal] Removed tensioner and installed new seal/Cleaned oil leak ($98 L + $14 P)
I'd appreciate it if you can comment on these prices :-)

[PhatRoyale]

You got ripped off.

[jph62]

I wouldn't go back to this guy.

Shops around here charge around $250 for ALL of the brake service you had done. (Doing it in your driveway with NEW rotors/drums would even be cheaper). More than $600 total seems almost criminal.

I haven't heard of anyone using a transmission cleaner or conditioner. Maybe some of the other guys know better, but as far as I know, changing fluid is all that should be done.

Shop around. Ask around.

[ej063090]

You totally got ripped off. That's more than the dealer I work at charges for brakes with all new shims and hardware as well for the front brakes. Everything else was a bit higher as well. And you're probably not even getting OEM parts. Shady.

[zythr]

Originally Posted by jph62

I wouldn't go back to this guy.

Shops around here charge around $250 for ALL of the brake service you had done. (Doing it in your driveway with NEW rotors/drums would even be cheaper). More than $600 total seems almost criminal.

I haven't heard of anyone using a transmission cleaner or conditioner. Maybe some of the other guys know better, but as far as I know, changing fluid is all that should be done.

Shop around. Ask around.

Maybe it's a machine that is installed to drain the fluid from the tranny

[zythr]

You were ripped off, unfortunately

[fred89]

thank you guys for your comments, next time i'm gonna get estimates form a couple of places...

[Bitter]

the timing chain tensioner repair is a fair price.
the trans...depends what he did for an hour of labor and the fluid price seems high, iirc it takes dexron and not any special fluid.
$120 parts seems a little high for the rear, labor is a touch high but not crazy.
for the front, again depends what exactly was done/replaced/ and what quality of parts.

most importantly, are you satisfied with his service and how the car performs? cheaping out can leave you richer but more unhappy if your brakes squeal all the time or don't stop well because of cheapy pads/shoes.

[fishexpo101]

For the DC Metro area - those prices are about ballpark for those types of repairs - as I've seen labor rates from a $85/hr to as high as $185/hr, depending on the shop and its location.

If I had to warrant a guess, I'd say they were on the high end of the range - price wise. Always a good idea to get estimates before you get any work done - as such, just chalk this up to experience for the next time around.

[jph62]

Bitter makes an excellent point: ANY price is too high if you aren't happy with the results. The converse is that you don't ALWAYS get what you pay for. I imagine you pay a local premium in Washington DC. Shopping around never hurts.

PS: I would do brake jobs in my driveway all day long if I could get $200 per axle labor ;-)

[fred89]

well i actually liked the place... it was a local shop and mechanics were so friendly. the guy who was the manager explained everything to me before doing any repairs and was very helpful. also they did a fast job i guess... i brought in my car in the morning and i picked it up in the afternoon...

[RoachRolla]

if you liked them that much, they did that good of a job and didnt make a significant dent in your wallet, then stick with them...