Another example of Dealer rip off

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

I think people are missing the point here. The OP got quoted over 2 hours for labour for a job that took him less than an hour as an amateur. Now I don't know about the others here but when I get a quote do I rarely ever get a bill that's less than half the original quote. I would put money on the dealer charging their entire quote or at best charging the OP maybe just under 2 hours so there was a 'pleasant' surprise as long as he didn't know better.

[XLR8 V8]

So when the friendly service lady at the counter goes out the back to ask the mechanics, then comes back to tell me it's $250, my decision was made.

That was the mechanics way of telling you to take your fiddly little annoying job elsewhere 'cause they really didn't want to do it.
Tradies do it all the time. If someone asks for a quote on a job they really couldn't be bothered doing, they quote really high so the job either goes elsewhere or they get some bonus $$ for the annoyance of doing it. Happens a lot if you want something done on a Friday when they want to knock off early.
If you went to another dealer (or the same one on a different day with different staff on), the price will likely be totally different.

[VYBerlinaV8]

That was the mechanics way of telling you to take your fiddly little annoying job elsewhere 'cause they really didn't want to do it.

Exactly. And this is why I'll also take my 50 grand somewhere else when I want to buy a new car.

My local dealer (Commonwealth Motors in Canberra) was pretty reasonable when I bought my V8, but based on my last couple of visits I'll never go back, and will encourage others to avoid them also. Worst service I have ever received.

[Drizt]

Get with it mate!

How much does it cost you when an electrician, plumber or any other tradesman does anything for you?
You ought to go and see a doctor or take a pet to the vet mate.

And, I guess you work for nothing?

Everything costs money these days

$250 bucks for 45 mins? Holden are hardly highly qualified or skilled workman.

People have such extreme reactions to simple things.

[Drizt]

Exactly. And this is why I'll also take my 50 grand somewhere else when I want to buy a new car.

My local dealer (Commonwealth Motors in Canberra) was pretty reasonable when I bought my V8, but based on my last couple of visits I'll never go back, and will encourage others to avoid them also. Worst service I have ever received.

Exactly. Everything has a consequence.

How are Holden sales going these days ?

[Micks]

Too right there are very few tradies in their premises period!

[peter b]

My point is this if you got them to supply and fit said parts the breakdown of costs might well be very different. You chose to quote on labour only which once you remove wages, operating expenditure how much profit do you believe is left to just fit a part the company loses the cream. The cream is what keeps tradespeople in a job. I for one wont fit supplied parts for the simple reason not making money.
I say pointless as you didnt get said job done and paid what you think is a high price and therefore I dont see the point you say rip off I say you ripped them off by wasting their time.2

[Drizt]

I can this is a thread going nowhere fast.

[macca_779]

Does seem extreme to just fit steering wheel controls. Changed mine out a couple of months ago. Took 20 min and I'd never done it before

[350VZ]

Thankyou. HSV,_I_GOT_ONE. You got it.

[swingtan]

snip....
I paid $250 for the part, from Holden Spare Parts (yes exe but i'm not griping about that), then they wanted another $250 to fit.
snip...

I'd nearly put money on there being a miscommunication here. It looks very, very much like you were quoted a "supply and fit" instead of just the fitting. Of course there is no way of telling now, but there's always two sides to the story. Given the 45 min job time though, I'd probably have just fitted it myself anyway.

[Red Beard]

Never done this job myself, I avoid anything with explosives in it. My question, Did you in some way isolate the airbag while doing the job? and if you didn't, were you meant to, and was doing that part of a safety procedure that Holden technicians may have to do when working on the steering wheel, for OHS reasons. Could explain the extra time they might require.

Not excusing them, just asking.

[macca_779]

I disconnected the battery but not the airbag even though it's recommended in the tech manual (didn't want to risk an srs light). Plenty of loom length there anyway. 4x torqx bolts to get the bag off and the controls are right there. 4 screws an one plug later is all it takes. Hell it takes longer to take the cluster out

[Micks]

Never done this job myself, I avoid anything with explosives in it. My question, Did you in some way isolate the airbag while doing the job? and if you didn't, were you meant to, and was doing that part of a safety procedure that Holden technicians may have to do when working on the steering wheel, for OHS reasons. Could explain the extra time they might require.

Not excusing them, just asking.

Is a myth airbags will not deploy by simply removing or disconnecting them battery connected or not!

[macca_779]

Is a myth airbags will not deploy by simply removing or disconnecting them battery connected or not!

Correct more or less. While yes an airbag won't deploy unless triggered there is a unlikely possibility it could trigger off a static discharge

The manufacturer puts these steps in to mitigate liability if this miraculously occurs.