Went to my dealership today to ask about getting some work done on my 2000 Camaro SS. They quoted me $450 for new plugs and another $450 for the wiring. Are they kidding? I laughed at the quotes and they said that it's really hard to get at the plugs and wires. 2.2 hours of labor just for the plugs. Does this sound right?

Anyone know about a really good independent mechanic in the Mansfield MA area that could do it cheaper?

 

Actually doesn't surprise me. They are pretty hard to get too, but nothing that can't be done in a driveway with ramps or a jack and stands.

 

You're gonna love this. The main reason I took the car to the dealership service center was because I was getting a strong antifreeze smell in the car. Had this on my 1992 Z28 and it was the heater core, so I figured the same problem here. Yesterday when I brought it in was when they quoted me the price for the plugs and wires.

This morning they diagnosed the smell problem and as I suspected it is the heater core. I talked to the service chick this morning and they quoted me about $750 for a new one. I figured about that amount so I said they could do the work. She said "What about the plugs". I said "Nope, too much money". She then gave me the hard sell about how I should get them done. I still said no.

Later today I got a voicemail from the service chick. Said my car was done, but unfortunately the technician did the plugs before she could tell him I didn't want it done. The service manager told her to charge me 1/2 price for the plugs. For $225, it doesn't sound so bad, so I think I'll pay it without a fuss. No wonder she gave me the hard sell!! LOL!

 

HELL NO tell them you said you didnt want it done and your NOT paying for it.

 

You are under no obligation to pay for unauthorized work. They are just trying to make money off you.

 

What the priors have said. They did work that was not requested and you are not obligated to pay for it. That was THEIR mistake, not yours.

 

Plugs are a pain in the *** but there really not that bad. Did mine 3 times in the last few months, 2nd and 3rd time took maybe a whole 1/2 hr each

 

Tell them to put the old ones back in.... or offer to pay for just the plugs, which would be probably be around $60. In your situation, I would GLADLY pay for the plugs so I didn't bloody any knuckles, if in fact they did change them.

 

I picked up the car today. I thought about taking a hard line, but since I go to these guys on occasion I didn't really want to **** them off.

I told them if I bought the parts on my own it would have cost me $60, and I'd give them another $40 for their labor. So total of $100 for the plug job. I thought that was fair.

 

I'd pay that. $225 no, $100 yes.