Guest-0260
Posted by an unregistered user
About a week ago, I went to my local CT store to get an estimate on some front end work. I had no idea what was wrong but there obviously was a problem with my Montana van.
So, about 2 hours later I received an estimate for almost 3000 dollars. I about fell down literally. I said, OK, now, lets cut to what actually NEEDS to be done.
Here is the list.
BALL JOINT REPLACE - LOWER $105.00
LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM $268.52
TIE ROD REPLACE $241.40
TWO TIRES $137.96
INSTALLATION $25.00
GET RID OF OLD TIRES $11.68
TIRE PROTECTION PLAN $13.98
TOTAL $803.54 PLUS TAX
That is CT's estimate of what I NEED to have done.
Still wanting to save money I paid the 30 some dollars in 'labour' for the estimate and contacted my local Tirecraft Store. The Gentleman there immediately told me in his 18 years he has never had to replace a control arm ever. That was good news so I set up an appointment for the next day. I took it in and the same guy took me to the vehicle and showed me what CT was charging me for. He said the Ball Joint was fine that the rubber boot had a tiny tear in it. No worry. To make a long story short, My total bill at Tirecraft was 600 dollars out the door and that was with 100 dollar tires vs. CT's 60 some dollar economy tire.
Never again. I guess what bothers me more than anything is the blatant dishonesty in over-inflating an estimate, hoping I'd just say OK to all of it and then shaving it down. But putting things on the estimate that didn't even need done. I think that's criminal.
So, about 2 hours later I received an estimate for almost 3000 dollars. I about fell down literally. I said, OK, now, lets cut to what actually NEEDS to be done.
Here is the list.
BALL JOINT REPLACE - LOWER $105.00
LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM $268.52
TIE ROD REPLACE $241.40
TWO TIRES $137.96
INSTALLATION $25.00
GET RID OF OLD TIRES $11.68
TIRE PROTECTION PLAN $13.98
TOTAL $803.54 PLUS TAX
That is CT's estimate of what I NEED to have done.
Still wanting to save money I paid the 30 some dollars in 'labour' for the estimate and contacted my local Tirecraft Store. The Gentleman there immediately told me in his 18 years he has never had to replace a control arm ever. That was good news so I set up an appointment for the next day. I took it in and the same guy took me to the vehicle and showed me what CT was charging me for. He said the Ball Joint was fine that the rubber boot had a tiny tear in it. No worry. To make a long story short, My total bill at Tirecraft was 600 dollars out the door and that was with 100 dollar tires vs. CT's 60 some dollar economy tire.
Never again. I guess what bothers me more than anything is the blatant dishonesty in over-inflating an estimate, hoping I'd just say OK to all of it and then shaving it down. But putting things on the estimate that didn't even need done. I think that's criminal.