Just did a hundred bucks, or did I?

**F4Phantom** · 24th October 2010, 08:35 PM

So I am trying to sell my 3rd car. A while ago every electrical system died, I assumed it was the main fuse since all was dead. I ended up accidentally snapping the 120a main fuse. Nuts. So now I dont know why the car has died and I have caused an extra problem.

So I get an auto elec around, he says min charge is $100 if he fixes it. I say ok, sounds cheap for a fix.

He comes over, I spot the broken fuse the put an alligator clip over it, and..... the car jumps back to life. So now the problem is solved and I did it.

Then it would not start, he says there is no spark, I realise I had changed the ignition switch to solve the problem earlier, and this changed over one is worse than the original, so I put my original back, the car starts.

Then he asks for wire, as I told him I was going to put 120 amp over the main fuse, I get out a box of wire, he picks one and says its about 120amp. He leaves and I put the car back together and solder the fuse up. I inquire about the $100 as I didnt see loads of value in that power packed 20 mins.

He wants the full hunj.

I feel ripped, BUT I dont know if I have the right to, because in simple terms, 1. I had a problem, 2. he came over, 3. he left with a fixed car.

whatdoyathink?

**bee utey** · 24th October 2010, 08:42 PM

Job quoted in advance, pay up now and learn to check properly next time, before you ring. I have saved myself a huge number of call-out fees over the years by sleeping on the issue and looking next morning with a fresh outlook.

**F4Phantom** · 24th October 2010, 08:53 PM

This was no off the cuff phone call, this car broke over a month ago!!

Electrics always cause dramas in the most un-predictable ways.

**Blknight.aus** · 24th October 2010, 09:19 PM

sounds like the minimum call out fee is a 1 hr charge.

shoulda got me to come have a look

coming for a look is a carton, If I fix something then its cash, if its a big fix its cash and a carton.

**V8Ian** · 24th October 2010, 09:25 PM

20 minutes there, 20 minutes back and 20 minutes on the job, he earned his bucks.

**rovercare** · 24th October 2010, 09:40 PM

Pay the bill, he quoted, he turned up, the car is fixed

**d2dave** · 24th October 2010, 10:38 PM

You should be glad it only ended up costing a "Spot". I do all my own repairs but after seeing some of the prices my friends get charged for car repairs you don't get much for $100 these days.

I saw my mums service bill recently and it cost $45 to have three wiper rubbers changed. $15 ea. Wiper rubbers cost about $3 ea.

Years ago when I was in the repair trade, when a car needed wiper rubbers during a service we would just charge for the rubbers.

Dave.

**F4Phantom** · 25th October 2010, 08:28 AM

Well I am certainly not trying to say I got ripped. I suppose I got the same feeling at the end one would get if say, lube mobile came to change the oil and filters, he comes without his tools except say a an oil filter removal tool, you supply the oil and filter, you do all the changes, he critiques your style then leaves half way through after telling you what else to get done.

Anyway its only 100, my car is on ebay (not a land rover) and I will have more space and some spare money.

awesome. free beers all round.

**d2dave** · 25th October 2010, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by F4Phantom

awesome. free beers all round.

Where do you live?

Dave

**Ace** · 25th October 2010, 01:33 PM

Seems fair to me, he spent time with you when he could have been helping another customer, the fee includes the time to get there etc. Most will charge for a minimum time.

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