colleran
08-10-2006, 10:37 PM
Here is some feedback on work I had done at J and J:
Battery light came on my dash. I took it to Jack at J and J to have an assessment done. Jack hooked up the voltage meter to the battery and said yes its the alternator. That took all of 3 minutes. He then called around to get an alternator and was not able to get one until the following day. We then looked at my front brakes. He suggested new rotors and pads. I asked how much everything would be. He said $400 for alternator and $600 for brakes.
Later that day (three hours later) I called and cancelled the work to be done on the brakes. The work had not been started.
The next day I arrived to pick up the car. Jack presented me with a bill for 529.37 for replacing the alternator. I told Jack I thought he had charged too much to replace an alternator. I also expected him to charge what he had quoted me...afterall...he had looked up the part and he has been a mechanic for some 30 years right...so his estimate should be atleast close.
Jack was not happy that I shared my opinion on the bill however he never gave explanation. Basically $314 for alternator (bosch AL0749X), 2 hours to install ($150), 37.50 to check the electrical system (it took 3 minutes max).
Then I went to start the car and the noise was ridiculous. The whining belt noise was very loud. I went back in and Jack said the battery was only half charged and that the noise would go away once the battery charged. I asked him why he didn't charge the battery...from what I know you don't want to charge your battery with the alternator, its a strain. I want to be clear, I was direct in my communication and I based everything on the facts. I thought he over charged and I thought he unfairly exceeded his estimate (by around 30%).
But the car sounds bad, he comes out of the office, locks his door and when I ask him of he is going to finish the job and get it right and he says to me I was rude and to bring it back the next morning. He then reprimanded me for keeping him there until 6:30. That was odd since I told him three times I would be there at 6:30 and he said nothing but "no problem."
Now the car is at home and it's not sounding good. The idle is low and clearly effected by use of electrics like the lights, A/C, sunroof, etc. Basically the car struggles when the lights are turned on (no A/C). The idle drops, it goes rough, and the belt gets louder...maybe the tensioner needs adjusting....Jack certaintly had no interest in getting the job done right so I am left needing help.
Two questions...what is going on with the alternator? Second, should I have paid him? I feel ripped off.
Sorry, I have nothing positive to say about J and J.
Battery light came on my dash. I took it to Jack at J and J to have an assessment done. Jack hooked up the voltage meter to the battery and said yes its the alternator. That took all of 3 minutes. He then called around to get an alternator and was not able to get one until the following day. We then looked at my front brakes. He suggested new rotors and pads. I asked how much everything would be. He said $400 for alternator and $600 for brakes.
Later that day (three hours later) I called and cancelled the work to be done on the brakes. The work had not been started.
The next day I arrived to pick up the car. Jack presented me with a bill for 529.37 for replacing the alternator. I told Jack I thought he had charged too much to replace an alternator. I also expected him to charge what he had quoted me...afterall...he had looked up the part and he has been a mechanic for some 30 years right...so his estimate should be atleast close.
Jack was not happy that I shared my opinion on the bill however he never gave explanation. Basically $314 for alternator (bosch AL0749X), 2 hours to install ($150), 37.50 to check the electrical system (it took 3 minutes max).
Then I went to start the car and the noise was ridiculous. The whining belt noise was very loud. I went back in and Jack said the battery was only half charged and that the noise would go away once the battery charged. I asked him why he didn't charge the battery...from what I know you don't want to charge your battery with the alternator, its a strain. I want to be clear, I was direct in my communication and I based everything on the facts. I thought he over charged and I thought he unfairly exceeded his estimate (by around 30%).
But the car sounds bad, he comes out of the office, locks his door and when I ask him of he is going to finish the job and get it right and he says to me I was rude and to bring it back the next morning. He then reprimanded me for keeping him there until 6:30. That was odd since I told him three times I would be there at 6:30 and he said nothing but "no problem."
Now the car is at home and it's not sounding good. The idle is low and clearly effected by use of electrics like the lights, A/C, sunroof, etc. Basically the car struggles when the lights are turned on (no A/C). The idle drops, it goes rough, and the belt gets louder...maybe the tensioner needs adjusting....Jack certaintly had no interest in getting the job done right so I am left needing help.
Two questions...what is going on with the alternator? Second, should I have paid him? I feel ripped off.
Sorry, I have nothing positive to say about J and J.