Car Repair Bill after "No Charge" Invoice signed

[msc84]

I took my car to a Ford dealership because of an electrical problem. They then diagnosed a bad alternator and installed a new one. When I picked up my car 3 days later, all the paper work I was asked to sign indicated "no charge" beside each of the items repaired or replaced. Two weeks later the dealer called and said I owed $534 for replacement of the alternator. They claim that they forgot to have me sign the paperwork detailing all of the charges when I picked up the car. Can they collect?

 

[army judge]

I took my car to a Ford dealership because of an electrical problem. They then diagnosed a bad alternator and installed a new one. When I picked up my car 3 days later, all the paper work I was asked to sign indicated "no charge" beside each of the items repaired or replaced. Two weeks later the dealer called and said I owed $534 for replacement of the alternator. They claim that they forgot to have me sign the paperwork detailing all of the charges when I picked up the car. Can they collect?

No, they have no legal way to collect.

You have a signed receipt and are in possession of your car.

They can't even lawfully put a mechanic's lien against your car.

If they do, (idiots and fools act in desperate ways to steal from you), you should aggressively defend.

However, I'd never, ever, ever, ever, under any circumstances take my car back to that dealership.

Fear not, oh blessed one, they ain't got nothin', nothin', I'm tellin' ya'; on you!!!!!

 

[mightymoose]

Oh that is sickening... $534 for an alternator replacement.
It's a 20 minute job and the alternator itself is probably less than $200.

 

[army judge]

Oh that is sickening... $534 for an alternator replacement.
It's a 20 minute job and the alternator itself is probably less than $200.

I've been told you can buy alternators for less than $100, rebuilt.

It's been a very long time since I've done any car repairs.

I'll take your word for it.

So with dealer markup, it costs 250% more than what it should.

 

[mightymoose]

Some alternators are cheaper... it really depends on the type of vehicle.... but yes, here it seems the guy is being billed at least twice what it should be. He is being billed an inflated price for the alternator, probably close to $100 more than what the shop paid for it. He is also probably paying 2-3 hours labor minimum... including an hour to troubleshoot the problem that likely only took about 10 minutes (it's pretty obvious when the alternator isn't putting out). Then he is being billed probably at least 1.5 hours to do the replacement, which likely only took the mechanic 20-40 minutes tops.
Such a ripoff.... but that is how they stay in business.
I've been fortunate that I can do my repairs myself over the years and have surely saved myself a small fortune.