Mechanic Audacity
So, I got my 4g eclipse during my c-section recovery. I knew going in that this car would probably have me questioning my life decisions but I was prepared for it. Being somewhat handy, I fixed a few things on this car but this time I was at WORK.
No one wants to be stranded at work. Heck, staring at spreadsheets all day, I just wanna go home so I go to Advanced to get a test done because my battery light is solid. The car is being a little funkle dorf after taking battery terminals and a thermostat sensor from my soul and now it's snatching an alternator from my wallet against my consent.
Alternator + core deposit $234 (rounded up). Cool. Shop next to me, the job takes less than an hour to do so let me see what they'll quote me for because labor + part = done in one go. Time saved, I'm back to work to nibble. Nah.
Granted all of my tools are always in my car but still, I didn't want to fix an alternator. I was tired. It was hot. And I'm hungry. I get this glorious quote from them. I looked at it twice, three times, and called my husband while holding back my laughter.
The job should've been around $350. I was fine with that. I just wanna go back to work because...I'm hungry and it's 98 freaking degrees outside. But $922.25?? For 30 -40 mins worth of work? And the alternator is right there, held on by hopes and dreams (3 bolts), and it has enough clearance because engineers still loved their jobs in those times, this company had the utmost audacity to try and rob me like this.
So, I went back to carquest because that's where the part is. All I did was walk there with the quote. The men there laugh. I laughed. I got my alternator for $230. My mobile mechanic had time and could get it done before I left from work. And bless his heart, I should've just called him instead of being the independent woman that I didn't want to be that day. He installs the part, checks the voltage, makes sure the car is good under heavy ass load, etc.
$100 for labor...
$40 back on my card after core deposit came back.
Total?
$290!!!
This company can catch these hands! $922.25!? It's THREE bolts and a dang belt!! Take your quote and shove it!
Now I feel better.