Shop trying to charge me more labor after I've paid the invoice?

Oh man, I missed all the good stuff! Lol.

 

That's what you get for working. You miss the good stuff.

 

I disagree somewhat. I've been in situations where customers have made modifications to the unit (like add extra accessories) which require additional labour. Not to mention dealing with seized parts or broken bolts and studs. I actually record this stuff on camera now to cover my ###. I think the worst was trying to do cab air bags on a hydrovac. Just no easy way to get in there without standing on your head lol.

 

The Law in Michigan ( as I’ve read it ) Says the Shop can’t go over 10% of a written estimate without customers approval. Also can’t collect any money without a written work order signed by the customer. I had a body shop try to force a repaired car that had been totaled by the insurance company. The Guy forced the job, must have thought he would either get paid for the repairs or get the car for salvage price from me. He knew better, tried to pull a fast one, really put me in a bad spot too. I didn’t appreciate that at all. It was the last thing I needed to be dealing with at the time. His attitude changed quick, once he realized We hadn’t signed a work order. I predicted he would offer $500 or $1000, since it backfired on him. He did. He played dumb, I played dumber. I told him sorry my Attorney says I can’t be transferring titles while in Bankruptcy. That’s what he gets for trying to scam Me. He eventually worked out a deal with the insurance agency. He had the gall to call me and ask for the extra keys and remote. I told him SURE!! My wife’s going to be nearby in about an hour. No problem!! Never took the keys/ remote to him. He never called back. I’m sure he got the message. Don’t BS a BS’er. Lol. He deserved it.

 

That’s understandable, I’ve been told many times upfront, it just depends on how long it takes. Fair enough. I just like to have an idea. I usually tell them I’m not holding you to it, just trying to get an idea. Usually get an honest answer. I decide based on what I hear. Also helps to figure out if they can handle the job. Can’t just leave a blank check. A lot of Truckstop techs are used to replacing a mudflap and a marker light, and charging the Large Trucking company $200.00 I see it all the time. I can’t afford stuff like that.

 

It really depends on the Shop. Someone I know, and who’s good, always been fair. I don’t worry about it. Whatever it takes. I wouldn’t want anyone to work for free. I sometimes talk a lot of silly crap too. While asking questions, respectfully adding my 2 cents. And I always give a tip, if I can. They definitely earn it. My wife asked me why I do that? Lol. I told her, I don’t care what they think of me, I just want them to remember me. In case I’m ever in a jam. They usually do. Having a good repor helps. But some Shops are incompetent. Period. I look at it as an interview, before they touch my Truck. A bad attitude is a red flag. I won’t deal with them. I get bad treatment for free. Not going to pay for it. Lol.

 

A hot topic, by gar, it's been a while. Let me just say this about that, the shop at a T/A is supposed to be for emergencies only, stuff you have no choice but to pay them whatever they want to keep going. They know that and base their business on someones misfortune in the middle of nowhere. Like buying a fancy pair of shoes at those Sports Outfits places, paying triple what Walmart wants. Same freakin' shoe. We certainly drifted considerable, Tall Joe seemingly getting some heat, makes good points, but,,,if you are inexperienced enough to go into a place like a T/A shop, and say "fix whatever is wrong", you're just asking for trouble. It's an open account for these places. It's what keeps them in business, not their crummy food. And therein lies the problem. Years ago, you'd limp into a truckstop, you knew what was wrong, told them specifically what to fix, and on your way. Today, with the general lack of knowledge, these places are having a field day. I don't think the T/A did anything wrong, a bit underhanded, but pure Capitalism. That should only happen once.
On a much smaller scale, but still applies, a dentist I went to, promised a "sliding scale" with proper hoops to fly through. The paperwork was big enough to keep you warm, and lo and behold, a $300 visit,( for 15 minutes,,that's $1200/hr) they charged me $20 bucks. Even though, the dentist did nothing except prescribe an antibiotic,,,couple weeks pass, here comes a bill for $72 dollars. There's your real crooks.

 

It’s a cost of doing business.
I know a driver that pulled a empty trailer 1450 miles thinking it was loaded with furniture.
Should the customer have been billed for the extra miles to return and get the right trailer?
Should the driver not been paid for the extra miles?
At what point do you not own your mistakes?

 

A better analogy would be the driver pulls the trailer he is supposed to and makes a clerical error on his billing and the furniture company tells him to pound sand when he brings his error to their attention. Then that driver would come on here and complain about how corporations take advantage of the little guy and he can’t get his $700 to fix his mistake.

 

Well just for fun. What would you have done in the situation that I presented?