VW Service/Repair Daylight robbery.

[RoosTa]

I took my polo in to get my door fixed (central locking is jamming) and I've just received a call from them. They want to charge me R4900 for a new lock (not sure what the prices are)

BUT, they also told me that my left rear wheel bearings are worn and quoted R5600 to get that fixed. I recently had my wife's car bearings done at about R700 per wheel, so I called the mechanic that we use regularly and asked him for a quote. His quote was about R850; R350 for the bearings and R500 for the labour.

So how the hell do VW get to R5600 if the parts only cost R350?

I'm speechless ... How are VW getting away with this daylight robbery?

PS I trust this mechanic since he's always done good work on both mine and my wife's car and he's always been very straight and honest (which is rare to find these days).

 

[Crowley]

They are called stealerships for a reason.

 

[APoc184]

They are called stealerships for a reason.

^ This.

Get the central locking fixed at VW if no one else can do it for you and then take the car to your regular mechanic to get the rest done.

 

[RoosTa]

I wonder if I can speak to the CPA about this?

I think I'll do some more digging and find out how much the parts will cost from the VW shop.

 

[Volkyrie]

Anyone know any good mac's in Durban?

 

[Turbo_Aspiration]

I wonder if I can speak to the CPA about this?

I think I'll do some more digging and find out how much the parts will cost from the VW shop.

What exactly are you going to complain to the National Consumer Commission (CPA is a piece of legislation) about?

 

[RoosTa]

Try Goldwagen, half the price, good quality parts.

I'm definitely not fixing my car through VW.

But I'm rather interested to see what the 'labour' costs are. Even if they charged R700 for oem parts, it means that they are charging R4900 just for 2 hours labour?

 

[I.am.Sam]

central locking pumps are like what r100 each ..get that and you fine

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

They are certainly ripping you off on the rear wheel bearings since you can get both rear wheel kits which includes two bearings and a seal for approximately R160 from places like Midas and Autozone.

At the price they quoted for replacing the rear wheel bearings you could buy a brand new stub axle, maybe they plan in replacing the whole thing since the price is so outrageous.

 

[ponder]

I wonder if I can speak to the CPA about this?

Got nothing to do with the CPA, they can charge what they want, you are free to go elsewhere if you don't like it.

 

[RoosTa]

I confronted the service manager and turns out they quoted for both rear wheels.

She told me it was "mandatory" to do both if one is worn. So its actually R2800 per wheel and I couldn't help laughing when she said "and that includes fitment plus a year's guarantee". I replied: "If I use my mechanic at the same price as VW, I can buy and refit both twice and be left with some spare change".

 

[genetic]

central locking pumps are like what r100 each ..get that and you fine

R100?

I central locking pump for a Golf 3 is around R1,500.

 

[Paul_S]

They are called stealerships for a reason.

+1
Had the same problem with a Mazda Etude.
The stealership wanted over R3000 to replace the solenoid and lock. I laughed at the sales person and walked out.
I then went to a scrap yard and picked one from a wreck for R200 and fitted it myself.

 

[jxharding]

That is freeking insane. Thinking twice about getting a polo now

 

[TheEntity]

That is freeking insane. Thinking twice about getting a polo now

+1

 

[Rickster]

Once warranty/service plan is over who takes their car to the dealerships? LoL

 

[ToxicBunny]

Go to Goldwagen for new parts, or you can try Team Volksie for decent 2nd hand parts, they're in the Sydney road area.

There is no way a Central locking unit costs anywhere near that much with fitment. R1500 tops for a brand new one with fitting in my books is about acceptable.

 

[ponder]

Once warranty/service plan is over who takes their car to the dealerships? LoL

A lot of people. You know only they can supply genuine spares and only their staff knows how their cars work...

 

[Rickster]

A lot of people. You know only they can supply genuine spares and only their staff knows how their cars work...

What im saying is...buy the parts from the dealer then give the parts to a mechanic therefor he can only charge you the labour fee...

Much cheaper than taking the car its self to the dealer.....their labour fees are mental.

 

[ponder]

What im saying is...buy the parts from the dealer then give the parts to a mechanic therefor he can only charge you the labour fee...

I'm being sarcastic, go buy the parts elsewhere as well. VW does not makes spares, plugs, filters, alternators, starters, radiators, air conditioners, wheel bearings, discs, pads etc etc are all made by OEMs, sold to the various car manufacturers and assembled as part of their cars.