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Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 27331
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
I have to vent. I hate my Vette!
I left it at the shop while in Hot Springs to have the A/C hose replaced, State Inspection, and an idle problem fixed.
It is already over $800!!!
$126 for the AC hose part
$60 for refrigerant
$198 for labor to replace the AC hose (seems REALLY high)
$50 for inspection
$21 for spark plugs
$150 for spark plugs labor
and the rest is in labor to fix a threading issue with the carb, and trying to get the idle cam to work correctly.... and they're not even done yet.
I thought I liked this shop, now I'm starting not to.
My car better run like it is fresh from the factory after all this!!!
Adam Wartell 2008-04-22 12:08:51
I left it at the shop while in Hot Springs to have the A/C hose replaced, State Inspection, and an idle problem fixed.
It is already over $800!!!
$126 for the AC hose part
$60 for refrigerant
$198 for labor to replace the AC hose (seems REALLY high)
$50 for inspection
$21 for spark plugs
$150 for spark plugs labor
and the rest is in labor to fix a threading issue with the carb, and trying to get the idle cam to work correctly.... and they're not even done yet.
I thought I liked this shop, now I'm starting not to.
My car better run like it is fresh from the factory after all this!!!
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A
I understand what you are going through. I recently had all of the leaks fixed on my engine and tranny (all seals & gaskets) cause she was marking her spot and smelling of gas. At a little over $800 and having to take it back a couple of times to reseal the oil pan. The only thing that went well was the new mufflers and pipe installation at $500 at my muffler shop. Hang in there and remember it's a Vette.
Aaron 
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Lifetime Member
Send PMSummerville, SC - USA
Joined: 8/31/2005
Posts: 660
Vette(s): My 1974 Vette sold last August 2014. I am still willing to show up to events and local gatherings if anything happening No new vette yet.
Adam,
Expensive? Let me tell you about expensive. I went to drop off my vette in March to get my motor rebuilt and detailed. Also I needed my engine area detailed back to original condition. I was given an approx. price of $5000 to $7000 to get it done and back together.
Two weeks into it, they took the motor and trans out and power washed my area and cleaned it up. They sent me a bill for $2000. I thought ok, a partial bill for labor no problem. They didn't charge me for any parts just for taking the car apart.
Two weeks more they find that the wiring harness is shredded and copper is visible. The steering box is dry with no liquid, the starter and fly wheel gears are nearly stripped and my mufflers need to be replaced in due time. They sent me another bill for $6000. This also includes rebuilding the transmission completely since nothing in it was salvagable. the previous owner tore it up (I noticed my gears were slipping before I brought it to the shop). They noticed my converter needed to be replaced as well so they did. This also included sending my motor out to be boiled and broken down completely.
Currently at this point $1000 past my maximum price given to me.
Two weeks later, they called and told me that my motor was back and fully built and that everything except the cylinders, head and block needed to be replaced. Apparently one of the previous owners blown the original radiator because they noticed my raditor is a generic replacement and was leaking (i asked them to repair the leak versus repalcing it at this time). They told me that the engine was driven at an excess of 300 degrees for a while and were amazed the head and block and cylinders survived. No bill yet for this.
This past sunday I passed by the shop with some parts I had previously paid for and wanted installed on the car. I had them additionally fix my windows that weren't alligned and my sprocket gears needed to be replaced on my drivers side door. I got there and the chassis, frame work had all been painted brand new original colors so were the drive shafts, master cylinder and steering box which was rebuilt and reinstalled. The new wiring harness was installed and new brake lines were installed as well since the old ones were nearly rusted through. Still no bill for this work either. I am supposed to be able to pick up the car done this coming weekend and I am afraid to find out how much else is needed. They also repaired my A/C on my car which I never had working since I owned the car.
I wish my car was $800. Granted they are two very different things done to our cars. I agree and don't like what your shop did to you. However sometimes it is good that they catch things now rather than later while you are driving. I just wish I had known the maximum it could cost me rather than getting news and bills every so many weeks.
Needless to say my car better win at the shows this year. Those of you in the Northeast will see it all done at the BBQ at Paul's.
I am replacing my pipes, radiator, trailing arms w/bearings and rebuilding my rear this fall or next jan-feb. Gotta save some money plus I have other obligations to tend to as well.
Jeremy H.
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R
A Corvette is just a bottom less Fiberglass whole in the driveway,into which you through unlimited amounts of money 
C3VR Lifetime Member #93
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Send PMMomence, IL - USA
Joined: 3/11/2008
Posts: 28
Vette(s): 1977 Corvette Coupe
Light Corvette Blue
Well adam, over here at my shop the labor for the a/c and the plugs would cost about $150.00 for both. I don't know what they are charging an hour but is does sound high to me. Mike
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That does suk Adam. Michigan State law says, we have to give written estimate to customer and their signature must be on it before any work is performed. Now in my business I would never charge someone for doing more than the original estimate without at least calling them. They are the ones who decide how much to spend, not me.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22720
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Parts wise, all looks reasonable. Labor wise...they're NUTZ!!!
Replacing the A/C hose is an hour at the most.
Replacing the plugs is maybe 45 minutes...if ya gap them first.
Sounds like these guys don't werk on Corvettes very much, so it prolly takes them three times a s long to do the werk.
Did they give any kind of estimate before you left it there?
I'd be tee-ed off too, but it ain't the car's fault...somebody is gouging you...
Replacing the A/C hose is an hour at the most.
Replacing the plugs is maybe 45 minutes...if ya gap them first.
Sounds like these guys don't werk on Corvettes very much, so it prolly takes them three times a s long to do the werk.
Did they give any kind of estimate before you left it there?
I'd be tee-ed off too, but it ain't the car's fault...somebody is gouging you...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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Send PMGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5387
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe, 1989 Coupe, 2001 Roadster Present: 1967 Stingray Roadster, 1976 Stingray Coupe, 1989 Roadster..
I have a business friend who owns a Nissan... It had the drivers headlight out. He thought "hey I can fix that". He looked at wally world... no bulb. He looked at Auto Zone.. no bulb.
He had a business appointment next to a dealer so he thought he would just drop the car off. He did and they told him it would be a coulple of hours. So before he is done with his meeting he calls them to check on it and they quote him the price....... READY??? $248.95
They told him in order to replace the light the housing has to be changed. To do this the bumper has to be repmoved or dropped. After the initial shock he though "well replace em both then. They then told him the price doubles because the have to charge the labor rate by the book installation time.
It only got the 1 headlight replaced and I bet the car is sold before it goes out..... OUCH!!!
He had a business appointment next to a dealer so he thought he would just drop the car off. He did and they told him it would be a coulple of hours. So before he is done with his meeting he calls them to check on it and they quote him the price....... READY??? $248.95
They told him in order to replace the light the housing has to be changed. To do this the bumper has to be repmoved or dropped. After the initial shock he though "well replace em both then. They then told him the price doubles because the have to charge the labor rate by the book installation time.
It only got the 1 headlight replaced and I bet the car is sold before it goes out..... OUCH!!!
Tuxblacray: She's Back In Black! Check out my pics @ My Link 
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2011111017209r.jpg)
It would have been cheaper to take it to Michigan (my7T1) and had Terry do it. Don't you just love Corvettes. Joel is going to have to set up a school for the people (who don't do the work themselves) to learn Do It Yourself of Corvettes 101.corvette440hp 2008-04-22 15:23:03
corvette440hp
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