My greatest Fear came true last night!!!

[TexasHusker]

Just a bulletin for everyone...don't let any shop tell you that you need a NEW alternator or starter for that matter. They are just wanting to make easy money on you. Either of these can be rebuilt and made like brand new in a couple of hours. The cost is a third or less.

[97guns]

You got hosed on the price.

95% of the shops out there will "hose" you. it was probably $120 part max and a couple hours labor, maybe another $120

[disneysteve]

You got hosed on the price but glad your back on the road. That's a $200 fix, max.

95% of the shops out there will "hose" you. it was probably $120 part max and a couple hours labor, maybe another $120

I see so many people post stuff like this, that repair shops charge too much. Okay, I get it. They overcharge. But unless you have the interest, knowledge, ability, and equipment to do the repair yourself, what alternative do you have? I'd love to find a dependable and trustworthy shop that charges half the price or less but I think they fall into the same category as unicorns and leprechauns.

[TexasHusker]

I see so many people post stuff like this, that repair shops charge too much. Okay, I get it. They overcharge. But unless you have the interest, knowledge, ability, and equipment to do the repair yourself, what alternative do you have? I'd love to find a dependable and trustworthy shop that charges half the price or less but I think they fall into the same category as unicorns and leprechauns.

What you are referring to is "stupid tax", and we all pay it in one way or another.

There are many businesses that prey on the ignorant - I've seen it in healthcare, car repairs, heating and AC, roofing, windows, the list goes on forever.

The most egregious industry right now, in my opinion, is healthcare. More specifically, hospitals. What they are getting away with right now is unconscionable. Secondary education is in second place.

[tripods68]

Just a bulletin for everyone...don't let any shop tell you that you need a NEW alternator or starter for that matter. They are just wanting to make easy money on you. Either of these can be rebuilt and made like brand new in a couple of hours. The cost is a third or less.

That's easy for you to say.

While I totally agree on DIYs, thats not the reality for most of us. Most of us don't have the tools and the expertise to work on cars.

I have some knowledge on basic maintenance, oil/change,tire rotations/changing battery. Beyond electrical diagnostic, computer reading, I just won't do it. It's not worth of my time. I can do my part to make sure I don't get "hose". You still have to shop around get quotes from different shops. This particular shop has been around for 20 years with very good review. I've taken my other vehicle there before and charges reasonable IMO.

Depending on your vehicle, some parts are expensive. You also have to shop around to get the best deal. Beyond that, I'm pretty happy i've done I needed to do.

[97guns]

so many out of work mechanics on craigslist right now desparate for work, they will throw it in for 1/2 the labor a shop gets.

[scfr]

You got hosed on the price but glad your back on the road. That's a $200 fix, max.

How do you know what it costs where OP lives?
When we moved to Texas, we were pleasantly surprised at how much less we had to pay for car repair than we did on the West Coast.

If I hear that someone just paid $2.75 for a gallon of gas, it is not helpful for me to comment that they overpaid and should not have paid more than $1.93 per gallon just because that's what it costs where I live.

[TexasHusker]

That's easy for you to say.

While I totally agree on DIYs, thats not the reality for most of us. Most of us don't have the tools and the expertise to work on cars.

I have some knowledge on basic maintenance, oil/change,tire rotations/changing battery. Beyond electrical diagnostic, computer reading, I just won't do it. It's not worth of my time. I can do my part to make sure I don't get "hose". You still have to shop around get quotes from different shops. This particular shop has been around for 20 years with very good review. I've taken my other vehicle there before and charges reasonable IMO.

Depending on your vehicle, some parts are expensive. You also have to shop around to get the best deal. Beyond that, I'm pretty happy i've done I needed to do.

I didn't mean to imply that rebuilding an alternator is a DYI project. I don't know squat about fixing cars. But I do know that a reputable shop would tell you that they can get your alternator rebuilt just like new for cheap.

My gosh, I had a Ferrari dealership tell me they could get my 348 delco alternator rebuilt for $150, versus an $800 new one. I went for the rebuild.

[TexasHusker]

How do you know what it costs where OP lives?
When we moved to Texas, we were pleasantly surprised at how much less we had to pay for car repair than we did on the West Coast.

If I hear that someone just paid $2.75 for a gallon of gas, it is not helpful for me to comment that they overpaid and should not have paid more than $1.93 per gallon just because that's what it costs where I live.

They padded that bill big time. The labor and "diagnosing" costs alone are laughable. Grand total, all of that is 1 hour. And they could have easily sent the thing out for rebuild.

And there is no such thing as a Toyota, Lexus, Chevy, or Lamborgini alternator: All alternators are generally be made by Delco or Nippondenso. It's not a complicated or brand-specific item.

Switching out an alternator is a tad more complicated than an oil change for a mechanic, but not by much.

Here is a typical rebuilt alternator:

http://www.carid.com/1970-gmc-g-series-charging-starting/remy-alternator-63458774.html

[Thrif-t]

So I learned something new today, if my alternator ever goes ask them to rebuild it. Check.

Wait how long should it take them to rebuild it? Did someone say?

[Nutria]

And there is no such thing as a Toyota, Lexus, Chevy, or Lamborgini alternator: All alternators are generally be made by Delco or Nippondenso. It's not a complicated or brand-specific item.

If that were true, then the alternator on a 2010 Toyota Camry would be exactly the same as on a 1975 Ford Bronco, or a 2008 Toyota Highlander.

Guess what? They're not. Ergo, they're brand specific.

And a rebuilt alternator for a 2010 Toyota Camry is $332.99 (including core charge) at Pep Boys.

[corn18]

You can just buy a rebuilt one instead of a new one and then give them your old one (core charge).

[TexasHusker]

So I learned something new today, if my alternator ever goes ask them to rebuild it. Check.

Wait how long should it take them to rebuild it? Did someone say?

Autozone will probably trade you out one for less than $100 - likely far less.

[TexasHusker]

If that were true, then the alternator on a 2010 Toyota Camry would be exactly the same as on a 1975 Ford Bronco, or a 2008 Toyota Highlander.

Guess what? They're not. Ergo, they're brand specific.

And a rebuilt alternator for a 2010 Toyota Camry is $332.99 (including core charge) at Pep Boys.

My point is, the entirely of cars on the road are using one of maybe 2 dozen alternator variants manufactured. For example, Delco alternator Model 12345 fits dozens and dozens of different car types. That Camry alternator wasn't made just for the Camry.

I know that you like to argue, but for goodness sakes, I was in the car business, I pretty well know what I'm talking about on this one.

And if Pep Boys is charging too much, take the thing down to the local rebuild shop - this isn't that complicated.

But if you insist on letting your shop butt rape you, be my guest. I was just commenting because this is a "SAVINGS advice" forum.

[Nutria]

My point is, the entirely of cars on the road are using one of maybe 2 dozen alternator variants manufactured. For example, Delco alternator Model 12345 fits dozens and dozens of different car types.

But "they're all the same" is what there is no such thing as a Toyota, Lexus, Chevy, or Lamborgini alternator: All alternators are generally be made by Delco or Nippondenso. It's not a complicated or brand-specific item means.

That Camry alternator wasn't made just for the Camry.

I know that you like to argue

Only with people who deserve to be argued with...

but for goodness sakes, I was in the car business, I pretty well know what I'm talking about on this one.

Then be more clear in your writing.