Aaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!!!!

[Wheeledweenie]

Took bike in for brake service was told £18 labour plus new cables with a total of around £30.

You can imagine my horror when they gave me an estimate of £70ish because the rear springs had gone on the brakes, the front pads needed changing plus the cables.

'Sorry love it just said service on the ticket'

AND they think I may need to change the cassette and chain on my next visit. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

I was assured they would ring if the cost came to substantially more than the £30ish quoted but I rang them to find it out.

Having spoken to a more experienced friend apparently this shop is known for ripping new people off. Am SOOOOOOOO angry.

 

[thomas]

Did you pay? I'd phone trading standards, avoid the shop and get another shop to confirm/deny their advice.

 

[Trevrev]

Oh My God !!!
I'm lucky i'm able to do all that myself. I'm shocked by that cost !!!
My bikes only been to the bike shop once. Thats the day I picked it up.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

I feel I have to pay. It's my only form of transport and without my bike I'm lost.

I'll just never use them again. I only took it in because I had a minor accident last week and thought a professional should check it over.

The work probably did need doing but I could have changed the pads myself and stuff so if they'd let me know BEFORE doing the work I could've sorted out what they needed to do and what to leave.

 

[Origamist]

What shop charges 70 quid for work you didn't want - we need to be told!

PS I would not pay.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

I shall name and shame if the itemised bill I demand is suspect.

I have berated the mechanic on the phone and am desperately hoping the bill goes down when I get there. I plan on getting VERY shirty.

 

[upsidedown]

I know it's bad, but if the bike's your only mode of transport then £70 isn't that much in the scheme of things.

Imagine if it was a car!!

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I know it's bad, but if the bike's your only mode of transport then £70 isn't that much in the scheme of things.

Imagine if it was a car!!

= Add another 0 in most cases!!

 

[Wheeledweenie]

£70ish they said, it might be more.

 

[Dayvo]

Just tell them straight that you are NOT happy with their attitude or ethics and won't be using their services again!

Make sure you speak to the boss/owner! You have rights, too!

And try and get on a bike mech. course near you.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

Just tell them straight that you are NOT happy with their attitude or ethics and won't be using their services again!

Make sure you speak to the boss/owner! You have rights, too!

And try and get on a bike mech. course near you.

+1 to that!

If the work needed doing I'll be less angry but I object to them ramming the price up because the mechanic's been given the wrong instructions.

Come the revolution, they will not be spared.

 

[ttcycle]

WW- that is ridiculous!
They legally should have checked with you before making the modifications - they are taking the piss really.

Get a chain link measure - that will tell you if your chain needs replacing - if it's past the two measurments from memory it's a fifth or 1.75 or something of stretch on the chain then you need to replace the cassette as well.

How much mileage have you done?

 

[abchandler]

I had something similar a couple of weeks ago. Spoke to Trading Standards, they suggested that the original quote was exactly that even if given verbally. In the end I retrieved my bike before the shop had started any work. I would speak to manager/boss, and phone trading standards from the shop if they refuse to stick to their original quote, which was the only one you authorised. You can get a case number from Consumer Direct on 08454 040506

 

[fossyant]

That's steep...springs in the callipers (assume V's) - ball cocks..... never had 'springs' go.... a clean and lube is all that's needed.

£18 an hour is OK, and maybe £12 for pads (full set) - £30 OK - £70 - bet you got a new set of basic v brakes....

Argue on the fact that they've done more than you asked/were quoted.

TBH a bit of shopping on t'interweb would get you a full set of pads pretty cheap. A doddle to do yourself.

 

[ianrauk]

N+1 dear.... N+1!
You know it makes sense