<Not unusual.  I've seen parts department people unable to keep a
straight face when they quote some of their outrageous prices.  They
can't even believe it themselves.>

Here is what I was told years ago by a guy who worked in the parts department of a new car dealer. The dealer pays $5.00 for a part, then marks it up to $10.00. If the parts guy then sells it to you for $15.00, he pockets the extra $5.00. Standard industry practice? Don't know, but not long after that I went to a Chevy dealer to buy a glow plug controller for my Chevy van that had the 6.2 GM diesel. The thing used to eat glow plug controllers about every 6 months, so I had purchased them before, and always for $95.00. The Chevy dealer was out of stock, but just up the street was a GMC dealer-same engine, same part. Went to the GMC dealer, they had the part, but for $128.00. I told the guy no way, I had been buying them from the Chevy dealer up the street for $95.00. He thought about it for a second, then said I could have it for $110.00. After that, I believed what the guy had told me about the counter guys adding in their own cut. Another common misconception about new car dealers
: the service advisor is your friend who has your best interest at heart. Bullsh*t!!! These guys are commissioned sales people just like the guy who sold you the car in the showroom. The more repairs they "sell" you, the more money in their pockets.     Jeff