How does one address a mechanic who grossly overcharged for work? Kind of a rant...?

I bought an 88 Camaro for little money. I then had my mechanic of 3 years begin to fix the car.





Right way the car needed a new fuel pump. Was replaced and took about 5 hours.





Another problem was a fan that wasn't working on the motor.





I waited for six weeks before any work was done to the car.





Two days ago, I told him I wanted a bill or I wanted him to finish the car asap. He agreed to work on the car.





Today I received a $842 bill! I don't have the bill in front of me but I do remember some details.





I remember I was charged for 6 hours of labor, totalling $240. I'm guessing the fuel pump was about $150.





I know a fan had to have some adjustments made. Could this cost $400?





I know basic maintenance was done to the car, but he didn't even change the oil.





I know it's hard to comment because I don't have all the specifics in front of me. I didn't have a chance to really look at the bill today because I had to take the car to another mechanic.





See, the brakes on the car were absolutely horrible. I can lie with suspension and other issues but I definitely need brakes.





Like I said, my bill was $842. I gave him $400 cash and told him he would get the rest Monday.





Now that I am thinking about it, I'm pretty sure he will be more likely receiving a $200 check.





6 weeks is a long time to have your car worked on. Wouldn't you agree?How does one address a mechanic who grossly overcharged for work? Kind of a rant...?
what i will agree with is, you are getting ripped off !!!!


replacing a fuel pump in a mid 80's Camaro, (if you know what you are doing) only takes about an hour, two hours billed, max. (barring any major problems).


replacing a fan on this vehicle, whether it is electric or mechanical is about an hour or less to replace. (if the mechanic is honest).


6 hours of labor at $240 is a fair charge per hour, ( $40 an hour is not bad at all ) i would just be questioning the amount of hours actually worked.


but keep in mind some places have set charges for things or minimum hours charged for a specific job, if this is the case, you may need to just pay the bill and consider it lesson learned. if this is not the case look closely at the actual time worked on the vehicle and if it did take that long for the repairs, was it because he milked the clock or he just does not know what he is doing? you should not pay for their lack of knowledge, that is their problem..How does one address a mechanic who grossly overcharged for work? Kind of a rant...?
because ive worked in this feild an im not a professional but i do have some expierence if ur dealing with a ma-pa type of joint then yea the bill can reach higher
i say if you want a car like that then you should probably have learned how to fix or rebuild cars.
6 weeks does sound like a long time. you never said why it took so long. No the price of the bill does not sound to big a deal with the lil info you provided. i question 240 for 6 hours. What kind of shop charges 40 dollars an hour. i have paid more than double that to insure the job is done right. I think you took a car with lots of problems to a mech with lots of problems. Of course you aren't gonna get what you want.
Six weeks is too long, but $842 is not too much for that kind of work. They don't just automatically change your oil. That is a separate issue and is an additional charge for that service. If go to an excellent mechanic in my city, and they charge average price for labor-$71 per hour. So getting six hours for $240 is a bargain, only $40 per hour. Next time it might be best to get a written estimate of your auto repair, so you can prepare yourself and your wallet when it's time to pay.
Tell him you feel ripped if you have to give him any more than $400 now that you drive the car and see he knows nothing, and did very little. Then get another mechanic. I am curious what fan adjustments he needed to do, the fan on the 88 Camaro was not adjustable, he is seriously messing with you, ask the new mechanic to check the list, then threaten him with fraud if he failed to perform any duty he charged for. He may give some money back.
yeah but the price could be right,maintenance is a very big part of the bill it sounds like,fans are expensive too.and you don't want to cheat him any money he says you owe, if you signed a repair order,then he has power to charge you what ever he thinks is necessary,if you cheat him on money then he can get a mechanics lean on your car,in some state a mechanics lean is stronger than a bank lean.I dont want to point fingers,but its your fault he didn't work on the car for 6 weeks.If its not done in two days go get it,pay him for diagnosis and be on your way.
Well, theres a mechanics book, that gives the time for every job. You local library might have a copy for your car, or you'll have to investigate online. That can be used as a base for how long a job should take. It can also be used in small claims court to recover from a dishonest mechanic. I would not pay anymore, and find the hours for the two jobs, so you can point that out. If there were any extenuating work that had to be done, ask him to point it out. Also, i would find a new mechanic asap.