Repair/Service: Water pump, idler, tensioner

Hourly Rate: $99.00

Total Cost: $567.83

Very disappointing experience with Savitt. I called to get an estimate for a water pump replacement, and belt. They couldn't give a quote without seeing the car. I brought it in and told them that I needed a water pump and belt. A few hours later I got a call with the estimate. OVER $1100.00. I had checked around for estimates, as well as checking parts stores for prices. So I had an idea of what it could run, ballpark. This wasn't anywhere close. The mechanic started telling me that when the belt broke, it snapped the idler pulley. also the tensioner was loose. THEN, also part of the estimate, the left side tie rod needed to be replaced. This wasn't why I brought the car in, and it wasn't something that was suggested to me. They just added it on. I flipped out. I asked for a breakdown of the costs. $250.00 labor for the WP, idler, tensioner, belt job. That was in the ballpark. If he took off the tie rod job that would bring it down to $850.00. What? Gold plated parts? He said that they had better luck with these more expensive parts. I told him that I had priced them at 4 different parts stores, and that for the very best quality they carried the total would be about $200.00. Then he said that he could find less expensive parts. He asked what I wanted to pay. At this point I was starting to lose it. He said he would check prices and call me back. The next call we were down to $650.00. I still couldn't understand how the parts were still $400.00. Well, part of that was an extra labor charge for cleaning residue from the shredded belt. If he took that off, we're looking at $567.00 out the door. I needed the car, and other places that I would usually use were booked 3 days out, so I didn't have much choice. I guess it should have told me something when THEY could get me in the same day. The final straw came when I picked up my car. There were greasy hand prints on the hood of the car, as well as greasy residue on the steering wheel. After this experience, I felt like I needed a bath. This was how you felt after going to a used car salesman. I would definitely tell you to avoid this repair shop, and if you have no choice- do your homework on prices, both for parts and labor. DO NOT just accept what they tell you.

by AutoMD Member on August 13, 2011