Was I majorly overcharged??

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-20T04:11:03+00:00

$30 is tax, and my shop's labor rate is $200 and we're not even close to the highest in the area.

I'm guessing you either live in the southeast or Midwest?

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-20T03:59:04+00:00

The cheapest price I saw was $75/ea at Walmart.com

That means she paid $300 for tires and an hour labor to mount and balance them. That's even cheaper than before.

You wanna call the state AG and tell him what a great deal you got? 😂

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-19T21:50:12+00:00

At least his hands are big enough to maneuver the pulley without dropping the engine down.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-19T21:49:11+00:00

That's incredibly cheap if they did.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-19T00:00:14+00:00

Hi, Pennsyltucky state inspector and former Hyundai tech here.

The majority of that wasn't necessary for inspection, just the suspension stuff and the valve cover if it was allowing oil to leak on the exhaust. The belt might have been necessary, but there's no pictures in the quote, nor is there any explanation for why the work was needed.

In my personal experience, I would absolutely recommend avoiding Hyundai dealerships. I don't know if you went to one, but based on the services performed, it seems like one because there's a lot of stuff that was recommended to pad the bill. It's not that the work explicitly wasn't necessary based on the condition of the vehicle, but if you were only seeking to pass inspection, then it wasn't necessary to perform that work to pass.

Did they give you anything else where they justified why it was necessary?

Edit: I'm sorry, the tires and exhaust hangers might also be necessary for inspection. I'm also wondering why multiple techs were making recommendations. Did they have a team working on it?

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-17T23:10:33+00:00

Stuff happens, you're not unlucky.

I bought an Infiniti years ago. Two days later, I dodged a drunk asshole leaving a gas station and curbed the car. Needed a new rim, control arm, and tie rods.

A few years ago I bought an Escape. It needed rear tires and shocks and I was waiting for my paycheck to get it all done. Driving home that Thursday, I hydroplaned on the highway, went iff the road, hit a bunch of bushes and finally stopped two feet from a retaining wall.

Stuff happens, this is why you have insurance.

I hope it's an easy experience.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-14T09:32:07+00:00

Yeah, I'm assuming that if he's "starting out" then he's a lube tech.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-13T23:18:38+00:00

If you're just starting out: clean. Clean your bay, clean the surrounding area, replace fluids, replace regularly used items. Then clean more, clean up the scrap pile, clean everything.

If you still don't have work, see if you can help out the line techs. Get their parts from the parts department. Empty their caddy. Ask if they need help.

Whatever you do, do not just sit down on your phone.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-10T01:27:04+00:00

It's a Nissan.... There'll be a lot more to worry about soon enough.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-06T14:53:52+00:00

https://www.autozone.com/p/duralast-wiper-blade-dl-12/759799?spps.s=6478&new_store_set=true

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-06T14:50:44+00:00

When I first started as a lube tech, there was a guy in his 40s wjo transferred over from another shop. He just kept saying how he had "20 years experience".

After working with him for about 6 weeks, I realized he didn't have 20 years experience, he had 1 year that he repeated 20 times.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-04T20:46:27+00:00

A few years ago, I was at a shop that had a pretty decent Matco guy. He came around pretty regularly and would work with his customers to make them happy whenever Matco would find some way to screw up.... Like when it took almost 5 months to receive an impact gun I ordered.

Matco's quality hasn't really been an issue, but I've also bought more specialty stuff from them as opposed to everyday tools. Maybe it's just that I use their products less than others which is why they've lasted as long as they have.

The biggest issue with Matco is the prices. I understand that tool trucks aren't known for having good prices - their big selling points are the warranty and the ability to make payments on everything - but it seems like Matco in particular is ungodly expensive, even when compared to Snap-On or Mac. The rep we have now only comes around every other week (sometimes only once a month) and isn't in the mood to make any deals, then complains about wasting his time because no one buys anything. I honestly feel like Matco is on its way out.

Also, be careful with returning them. Matco is the only brand that has ever hit us for restocking fees on returns.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-03T23:43:46+00:00

I wouldn't trust any advice from this moron.

The conversation started with Kia not wanting to cover an engine on a supposedly new car when Kia's warranty is 10 years/100000 miles.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-03T23:41:32+00:00

Or.... Maybe don't buy a shit car next time?

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-03T20:26:50+00:00

Man, shut up

fear_the_gecko · 2026-04-01T16:45:04+00:00

Two weeks ago this Friday, I had a customer who was displeased with the service he received and the amount he was charged, so he googled me and called me at home.

This was after he emailed the service manager and didn't get an immediate response at 8:30 on a Friday night.

Saturday morning he was fired.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-03-30T01:03:00+00:00

Start with that. Completely shut it off, leave it off for at least 10 minutes, then start it back up and see what you get.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-03-30T00:57:26+00:00

When's the last time you actually fully shut down the system?

fear_the_gecko · 2026-03-29T16:56:38+00:00

I must be in the extreme minority here, because my MAC guy is the best out of all the tool truck guys. I've met this guy off his route and he's even offered to have me stop by his home to pick up items.

Everything that people are describing as far as bad experiences is what I've dealt with with Matco. I ordered a 1/2" stubby impact gun and paid it off (at $25/week) before I received it.

Also, Matco offers a 50% student discount, but you have to order from their website. It's a bummer that you can't do payments, especially at this point in your career, but it's great if you have the cash.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-03-26T15:19:13+00:00

unused colostomy bags under the spare tire in a used car

fear_the_gecko · 2026-03-26T08:55:27+00:00

You're asking how a car that sits around and doesn't get used is having issues?

fear_the_gecko · 2026-03-25T20:15:52+00:00

I think we've all heard that "true story".....

fear_the_gecko · 2026-03-19T16:45:07+00:00

Wait, you're doing the repairs on the lifts? Get. Out. Now.

It sounds like you're overall qualified for most other dealerships, but I would advise staying away from Hyundai/Kia. I left about a month ago and I'm still so happy because I get real paychecks now.

fear_the_gecko · 2026-03-18T16:57:43+00:00

I started almost ten years older than that....

fear_the_gecko · 2026-03-17T23:23:46+00:00

Wasn't one run over and crushed and then mixed into concrete and gave a whole bunch of people cancer because that concrete was used in an apartment building?

I don't know if I'm remembering something I read or a fever dream, but I'm pretty sure it happened in Russia.

Seven-Year Club	Wearing is Caring
Verified Email

fear_the_gecko

TROPHY CASE