Never Have family work on your car - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

That Guy · #1 07-22-2002, 02:58 PM

I'm not really sure that I got screwed but damn do I feel like it.

Background:
My stepfather owns a shop that specializes in German vehicles. Both he and my mother insist that I bring my car to him for oil changes maintenance and such.

Last time I got the 120K maintenance and ended spending 1800 dollars on it ('91 190E 2.6). I felt like it was a lot but knew there was a lot of work to do.

This time I wanted an oil change and my sunroof fixed. I found out I needed new front brakes as well (I really did). I also asked him to diagnose the air conditioning at the behest of my mother.

Ultimately he ended up changing the front brakes and rotors no caliper work, Oil change, dumped in some recycled RJ44? (old kind) he had around the shop and added some K44 (fuel additive) to the tank. Nothing was done to the sunroof as this would have been an additional $500.

Total charge - 573 dollars from my stepfather!

I went in expecting an oil change. The problem is he never gives me an estimate says he's going to charge me "cost" and that he is not going to screw me as I'm family. But when I get his bill I always feel pretty frickin screwed.

I'm pretty convinced I'm paying my stepfather dealer prices and that he's spending money on my car that I don't have and it all goes back to HIS shop in the end.

I can do a lot of this work myself (and will in the future) but they (mother & stepfather) encourage me to have him do all the work on my car! I figured, why not?, I'm only paying cost right? Yeah right.

He charged me $22 for a stinking bottle of K44.... Is this cost???

Please tell me I'm not getting jacked by my stepfather, because I'm pretty darn sure I am.

David C Klasse · #2 07-22-2002, 04:51 PM

Sounds to me like you're getting jacked... that's pretty bunk coming from "family." Talk to your mom about it! And then, don't take your car to him anymore!! EVER! Unless you work something out...

Good luck and what an unfortunate sitch!

DALE DORIA · #3 07-22-2002, 08:36 PM

Sounds like you been had....Take the car to another shop! At least if you have a question or problem with the service, you may have more clout than with the stepdad. I would imagine if you had a problem.........it would BECOME your problem........and the the family thing would also be a problem! As you can see, too many problems!!! Use an independent and keep the family out of it! Souds like you were suffering from the " bohicome" syndrome... ( Bend over, here it comes!)

blakeF · #4 07-22-2002, 10:29 PM

Sorry about the bad experience. The above advice sounds good to me.

Are you refering to BG44K? I bought an 11 oz. can of it several weeks back from a detailing store for $20. So $22 can't be too far out of line.

Blake
'86 300E
255,855

william rogers · #5 07-22-2002, 10:39 PM

just think what he must charge non family customers..........
william Rogers.....

Lebenz · #6 07-22-2002, 11:05 PM

First it is never a good idea to mix family and business.

Second “cost” would naturally include labor charges based on at least the actual labor cost plus about 30% just to cover taxes plus there is shop overhead (lights, telephone, advertising, HVAC, business taxes), plus probably labor, and definitely business insurance, and other odds and ends. Once you add this up you have a semblance of what his “cost” might be.

Third, is he a MB expert, or is a percentage of the time going for him to study the problems?

Fourth, does he have all the necessary parts on hand to use for troubleshooting, or does he have to order them in and hope it works....?

Fifth, if you want a real comparison, call any local MB shop and say, I have a blah blah blah, and it needs new blah blah blah. What would you charge me and how long would it take?

Sixth, look up sunroof repairs on this excellent facility. I assure you that you will be flabbergasted by the cost and the work involved in repairing a broken sunroof!

After you’ve done this, no matter what the outcome of calling the MB dealer, go to the nearest liquor store, buy your father-in-law a very nice bottle of what ever he likes, take it to him and either sincerely or lying through your smiling teeth, thank him for the great value he’s given you. --snip--

--snip--

#7 07-22-2002, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Word will get back to your wife. She will make it worth your while in many ways, and so will your father-in-law for ever after.

I thought it was his stepfather who was working on the MB?

Man, reflecting on it, a father-in-law would be a less sticky situation to deal with in these respects.

-Sam

Lebenz · #8 07-22-2002, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mbz380se

I thought it was his stepfather who was working on the MB?

Man, reflecting on it, a father-in-law would be a less sticky situation to deal with in these respects.

-Sam

Thanks Sam!

Oh, I am soooooo embarrassed. Okay, in that case, scratch my last 2 points....I'll do it....

That Guy · #9 07-23-2002, 08:40 AM

Blakef - Yes I think that's the same thing BGK44. So I'm paying as much as I would at Trak, not much of a deal.

Lebenz - well put. "Cost" includes everything under the sun. In this case I do not feel it is appropriate to compare the charges to those of a dealer as he is not a dealer, I would never take the car to a dealer, he is supposed to be family, and I could get an estimate from a dealer but never can seem to get one from him. I'm sure the sunroof would cost a lot.... that's not in dispute because he actually did provide an estimate on that. Additionally, I do not feel that his expertise should be any cost I should have to bear since he is "family."

Interesting note. When he called to give me the total, while he was listing off the scope of work he had done, he specifically stated that he steamcleaned the engine. This was in order to find an oil leak. I looked at the engine last night and it in no way appears to be steamcleaned (significant layer of crud and dust still remains uniformly all over the engine). This IMO makes him a liar. I am going to try and get a breakdown of the bill and if he is charging me for it, that makes him a thief.

Why would this man jeopardize his family relationships to turn out some extra cash on his stepson's repairs?

Thanks for the input all. I'm feeling a little calmer today.

David C Klasse · #10 07-23-2002, 09:46 AM

What a liar! This can't be a fun situation. I would definitely confront him about the steamed engine. Maybe even drive the car in there, pop and good, and ask hiim if this is a steamed engine? No offense, and this may just not be a fair judgment, but your step-dad seems a bit low rent! Obviously he's screwed you, so atleast make him feel a bit uncomfortable and confront him. Whatever you do, good luck! What about mom, have you talked to your mom?

G-Benz · #11 07-23-2002, 11:16 AM

Even if it's in-laws...

Many of you probably have experienced all sorts of shady family dealings that would have otherwise put strangers in some legal wrangling. Those situations were merely swept under the table in the name of "family".

Any attempt to confront the situation, no matter how diplomatic will result in the rest of the family turning on you (regardless of whether or not you are right)! And believe me, it does happen!

The only option (and to save face) is to eat the cost, chalk it up to experience (read your own thread title) and move on.

You don't have to explain why you chose not to visit your father-in-law's shop anymore either!

jsmith · #12 07-23-2002, 12:13 PM

if i would ever do any sort of work for family - i would do it gratis. if i were to charge them (which i don't think i ever would) it would probably be only if i were forced into doing it and if i didn't like this particular person, otherwise i would just beg off...

DuckMuck · #13 07-23-2002, 12:22 PM

To tell you the truth, if I were in your shoes...I would pay for it as it is, and never go back to him for any other service...I'm not sure how close you are with your step-father and your mother, and what kinda relationship you guys have goin'...but it is just gonna be awkward and strange at family functions if this incident gets blown outta proportion...if they ask you to go back for service in the future, just say you can do the work yourself...or make up another excuse...

That Guy · #14 07-23-2002, 04:17 PM

Duckmuck,

Well now that it has all been said and done... you may be correct. Unfortunately this dirty laundry has already been aired and after speaking to him I am only more convinced that he was taking me for a ride.

But don't you think that a stepfather taking advantage of a family trust for monetary gain should be called out? Shouldn't such an egregious infraction be brought the attention it deserves? Maybe not, but I hope so since this is what I've already done and I can't very well take it back.

Update:
I confronted him with the steam cleaning which he had already twice stated that he had done. He said, "Oh did I say steam cleaning? No I didn't steam clean it... I would never steam clean an MB engine. I sprayed (mumbles) brake fluid underneath and have a (mumbles) special thing that does something." Obviously I was a little agitated and do not remember the exact details, but his complete reversal of what he told me before doesn't instill any confidence.

Recycled R12 - I would like to get a better idea of what this is. It is my understanding that if there is an AC repair the R12 is captured/drained and then requires disposal. Isn't it impure and shouldn't be added back into an AC. He added it to my AC and charged me for it, which I believe he got at no cost and actually avoided incurring cost for its disposal. If this is not the case please let me know.
He indicated that he had added 3 pounds of it and was nice enough to only charge me for 1.5 lbs. I called MB customer care and inquired how much R12 my AC could accomodate and was informed that it could only handle 0.95 kilos or a little over 2 pounds. Hmmmmm.

Thank you for your help. Now if I can only figure out a way for holidays to be normal, but IMO it is his fault because he was the individual who was trying to take advantage of family.

DuckMuck · #15 07-23-2002, 05:56 PM

That Guy,

So after speaking to him, did he re-evaluate the cost and give you a fair price? Yeah, I think it is really really really wrong to try to ripoff family...how much of "what is goin' on" does your mom know??? you see, this is the part I really really hate...'cause your mom is basically stuck RIGHT in the middle if this thing gets blown bigger you know? and I am guessin' your step-dad will probably be goin' home to her complaining about you...and then you gotta tell your side of the story to her...and then she is stuck in the middle trying to make amends between both sides...and if she takes somebody's side...then the other person is gonna get piZZed...and the whole thing just gets WAY WAY WAY complicated...and then you think to yourself, "damn it...why didn't I just fork over the money in the first place???"

yeah...family gatherings will never be the same again...'cause now, you have this thing stuck in your mind everytime you see him...

since you already confronted him...if he makes an "effort" to try to sorta "clean up" the bill...I would just say, "okay...wutever"...pay the amount...and see if you can close the matter once and for all...