yeah, but it's not too much different at other dealerships.  Just think if
you had a Jag!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl Mullendore" <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2000 8:14 PM
Subject: Dealer ripoffs

> I started looking over a customer's '85 Westy today, to see what repairs
> were in order to bring it up to good working condition. In the van was a
> 'Vehicle Repair Estimate' from a local MD (I'll tell you where only if you
> insist) VW dealer. I almost fell over when I read what they wanted to
charge
> for some very routine Vanagon work, thought you all might find it amusing:
>
> Replace PS belt, labor $35  (a 5 minute job)
>
> Power steering rack, parts and labor, $1029 (! WHAT?)
>
> One inner CV boot, p&l, $145 (huh?)
>
> Lower ball joints, p&l, $565
>
> coolant temp sensor, p&l $78
>
> Two hatch struts, installed, $105 (let's see, $40 for the struts, $65 for
> the 10 minutes?)
>
> Rear shocks, installed, $295 ($145 of which is labor, what, a 15 minute
> job?)
>
> Radiator, installed, $689 ($400 radiator, $289 labor?)
>
> Insane, aren't they? Now bow to your parts suppliers on the list, and be
> thankful! If I was not a mechanic, and needed work done to my van by this
> dealer, I would be broke in short order! How do these folks sleep at
night,
> I wonder?
>
> Karl M
>