Did I get hosed?

[Stoliguy]

Took the A6 to a shop that had done reasonable work in the past.

Was supposed to do the TqC and valve cover gaskets.. was quoted about 1600 for labor, 900-1000 for the TqC itsself.

Total bill came to over 3500. Oil spilled all over the motor, rubber seals in the engine bay were hanging all over, check engine light was on (TqC code as well as Exhaust Gas Temp)... Half tank of fuel gone... and my door blade now catches on the door.

I had to clear out both on the VCDS... clean motor... fix blade... I'm less than pleased..

has anyone else had this repair done for you at a shop and what did it cost?

[redneck truck]

I read your post to the point where you said "shop" and determined that you did get hosed. Seriously though, I've probably got less money in my 6-speed swap.

It definitely sounds like they've got some 'splaining to do. Reinstall the weatherstripping, adjust the door blade positioning, clear the trouble codes, and give the whole thing a good cleaning and you should be good to go.

[Calimus]

Documentation is key. Any time you take your car to any shop, be it a dealer or indy, take pics of the car and all the area's you can of where the work will be done. Make sure the service writer knows you have done this and go over the car with them. Then when the job is done and things are as you described, take pics of all the things wrong, document the hell out of it and then nail their asses to the wall on it.

I won't say you got hosed, not yet. A serious complaint needs to be made and a chance given to the shop to make it right. If they fail to do so, then yes, I'd say it's fair to say you got hosed. Learn from the ordeal and do your best to not let it happen to you again. I say do your best, because lets face it, sometimes things are beyond your control no matter what. However, you can minimize that chance greatly if you put in the work.

[Stoliguy]

Yeah.. I'm thinking you largely speak the truth.

Disappoints me because its my home town, a small town and I thought I could trust them. Really irritates me. Mostly because of the betrayal of trust.

[Klum00]

ouch!

i know the general consensus about dealerships here on the forums. i'm an Audi service advisor and i can assure you this would never happen at my dealership. not once has a bill been more than my estimate unless otherwise approved.

i hope you get it all figured out!

[Agustav]

I just did my Valve cover gasket and the total comes out to be $500 labor (I provided the parts).

I did my TqC about 2 years ago and if I remember correctly, total for part and labor is around $1600 (including replacing the flange seal which is leaking like the Valdez).

I think these prices are reasonable... Maybe you should look for another shop?!

[Stoliguy]

Follow up... the shop basically told me to get bent... Legally, there isn't much I can do... discovered several things they broke since then as well... Including the wires to my EGT sensors, and the tabs to my engine covers. and for some retarded reason, my "hazard triangle" in the TRUNK??!?! WTF WERE THEY IN THE TRUNK FOR?!?

Dammit.

[redneck truck]

All you can do now is let everyone know the specifics of your run-in with the shop, the name of the shop, and how it affected you financially. Be sure to stick to facts, lest the shop have a reason to pursue legal remedy for disparagement. Are you sure the shop broke those things, or is it possible they were already broken?