Looking for opinions on the crappy service I just received.

[powderrecon]

Ran into an issue with my 96 VFR. I had fuel leaking onto the ground when the bike was running.

Took the bike to a local Vancouver shop in Vancouver (Canada) where I am hanging out for a while, where he said its probably the float getting stuck. So i left the bike with him.

Next day I get a call from him, and he has fixed the problem. I guess there was some gunk build up in the front right carb causing incorrect pressure flow, causing the overflow. While he had the carbs out, he spent more time and cleaned all four of them.

Next he decides to replace all of the spark plugs, and change the air filter on the bike.

Did I get a call before all this service was performed, asking for permission to do the work? No.

Cleaning all of the carbs, I can have some understanding for, however he still should have called, and said

"Hey, I pulled the carbs and found the problem, however I think it would be a good idea if we cleaned them all, taking this amount of time"

Am I dead wrong here?

Replacing the plugs and air filter? Whats up with that?

Of course I am going to bring this up with him, however just wanted to throw this out, to see what peoples opinions are here.

I recently purchased the bike, so I did ask him to do a quick once over on the bike, and make sure everything is where it should be. But to my understanding, any work always has to be authorized.

I am frustrated that I get a $600 bill, for a job that should have probably been half of that.

[saber]

First off, it shouldn't cost 600 bucks to do that work. If he had the carbs off, the air filter and plugs should take all of about 10 min. to change. So unless they have a labor rate of $100+ an hour, it shouldn't be that much. And yes, you should have been notified of the extra work needed and the cost thereof. I'm pretty sure you can settle this without having to pay for the extra work if you did not authorize it.

[derstuka]

Carb cleaning in SD about 4 years ago cost me $250 bucks, and I am sure it is $300 plus by now. Add on the high labor rates of 85-95 an hour and there you go.

I think that they should authorize ALL work that you did not specify. I am suprised that this guy did this. Never had that happen even with my car. They always called, and even told me beforehand that they will not to work if you do not authorize it. They had my FZR1000 engine/tranny completely broke down about 8 years ago, and even in the middle of the teardown, they called me each time it was gonna be more, and I even came in most times to look at what needed repair.

Maybe you should bring Jev's mom (the girl in the avatar pic) with you next time.

[possum2082]

you should not pay it.
give the bike a once over does not mean replace stuff. the bill should have been about 200 for fixing the stuck float.
no way, man

[SLOVFR]

I dont know the rules up north but here in California a customer signs an estimate when dropped off for set amount. Any additional amount need must be authorized by the customer BEFORE work is done. Hence if you signed a $300.00 estimate and you go to pick up your bike, even with extra parts and labor you didnt authorize, you pay $300.00 ...

[powderrecon]

Thanks for all the responses. Much appreciated.

Turns out his reasoning was more fair than I thought. They had to spend about an additional hour of labor, cleaning rat dropping out of the bike. I guess the air filter was absolutely covered in rat crap (they took photos...i will post), and the filter was destroyed, causing dropping to get past the air filter.

Also, the carbs were very gunky, which is why they decided to clean. They said they could not put a set of carbs back on such a nice bike, in the condition they were in.

They said the plugs were fairly dirty also, so they changed them out.

Regardless of what happened, they still should have called for authorization.

When I told him, to check the bike over, that did not mean, to replace whatever you think is necessary.

Still going to work with him when I pick it up. See if he wants to do do the air filter and plugs at a discount, as its something I still could have done myself.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Powder:

Told you to check your air filter in the PM I sent you LOL!

Too bad on the cost!

Keep us posted.

BZ

[saber]

Originally Posted by derstuka

Carb cleaning in SD about 4 years ago cost me $250 bucks, and I am sure it is $300 plus by now. Add on the high labor rates of 85-95 an hour and there you go.

I think that they should authorize ALL work that you did not specify. I am suprised that this guy did this. Never had that happen even with my car. They always called, and even told me beforehand that they will not to work if you do not authorize it. They had my FZR1000 engine/tranny completely broke down about 8 years ago, and even in the middle of the teardown, they called me each time it was gonna be more, and I even came in most times to look at what needed repair.

Maybe you should bring Jev's mom (the girl in the avatar pic) with you next time.

That's NOT my mom!