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

Had a couple air leaks the other day. Stopped at a TA and asked if the had the parts and guy tells me he doesn’t know. Would have to pull them and check I said no thanks will go somewhere else if you can’t tell by looking at them you don’t touch my stuff. Was 3/8” air fittings 1/4” and 1/2” thread. Went to Volvo and got replacement parts next day.

 

I went to get my plow truck today from the mechanic.
I brought this thread up to him, and asked him straight out how he felt about this issue.
He didn't even hesitate when saying that if the customer paid their bill, and then the next day decided he should have charged more, he wouldn't say a word, just eat the $700.
His fault, not the customers fault.
Adding another comment, that $700 to a shop is like a drop of water in an ocean.
$700 is an insignificant amount to a shop.
They still made a tidy profit on the guy charging $4000.
The actual cost was probably less than $2500 all in, parts and wages.
It is petty of them to even contact the customer over it, especially when it is 100% their own fault.
The customer didn't write up the bill, the shop did.

I once under billed for a load that I hauled.
Never said a word to the customer about it, that was on me, my oops.

 

In that instance it would not be unreasonable to notify the customer ahead of time that you will need to add a little bit to what the book says.

 

What he says is his opinion, not any rule. Let's not confuse forgiving with forgetting.
If I don't want to forget, I have the right to ask for money that I deserve.
Let's change the story a bit, let's say that instead of the labor hours - which by their own nature might raise suspicion of a foul play, the shop forgot to add a different item on the bill, for instance Turbo Charger which itself is $4000 and up, you could not deny that the Turbo was replaced even if it were not listed on the invoice...you think that the shop should not demand the additional payment? This is unlikely scenario but quite possible with smaller stuff. I wanted to add some contrast to make a point.

 

This works opposite many times a repair shop lets a truck go on good faith and then the customer disputes the bill or reverses a credit card charge for one reason or another.

If they provided proof in error of the bill, then you will know inside that you owe them. If you don’t feel you owe based on a quote, don’t pay them. Shop dropped the ball. They likely won’t push the issues since it was their error. They have no pull if you signed the bill and paid in full upon departure.

 

That's a good point.
I think that in this case more sympathy towards the op's option of not paying is given because the bill is already pretty high and painful enough. But this is not about feeling sorry.

 

You're right. It's about a company that either screwed up and refuses to take ownership or is outright committing fraud.
And make no mistake, this is no different than a shop damaging your vehicle while working on it, like falling off a lift.

 

I'm not so sure what all the hub-bub is, it's no different in any other industry. Look at building materials, where the prices change hourly, or the automobile repair industry, what a rip off THAT is, what recourse do you have? Of course it's underhanded, and I'm not sure $700 bucks is a "drop in a bucket" to these places, their overhead is clearly making them charge these rates to stay alive. I highly doubt a shop manager is a millionaire. Again, you need something repaired in the middle of nowhere, these places will help you get there, but they want a premium for that. It's no different than a credit card, can't afford it? Well, we'll help you, but we want a hefty commission, or go without. Is it justified? IDK, is it justified for a dentist to make $1200/hour and not really do anything? Without controls, aka Socialism, not that I advocate that, but Capitalism by nature, is an unbridled horse that will eventually run amok. In the meantime, you want to drive your own truck today, THIS is why I'm so opposed to truck ownership today. I wouldn't pad these crooks pockets, and you shouldn't either. It's the only way to make them "go away".

 

I would want a COMPLETE breakdown of exactly what was done, how many hours it took, and then check the flat rate that applies to the job(s) . If you owe them, that's between you and your conscience, you may not tho.
By the sounds of it, you really dont know what you ALREADY paid for?
If I got a repair bill from the shop and it was 5 or 6 hrs light, I'd know right then and there at the counter. If your not paying that close attention to what your paying when your getting service, might be advisable to carry a large jar of KY. You will need it.

 

Let’s put it this way.
If they overcharged you $700 do you think they would be calling to give it back to you?