Landers McLarty CJD Price gouging on labor; Huntsville, Alabama
On 12 Nov 09, i took our 03 Chrysler Sebring to service. The engine light was on and it would idle high. After Landers diagnosed it; they said it needed a vaccuum hose, spark plugs and wires, serpentine belt and a transmission hose clamp. The car is kept in a garage and there was no evidence of leaking transmission fluid. However it cost $54.21 to tighten a non-leaking clamp!
Our vaccuum hose cost us $105.32 labor to be installed, but the hose was only $2.45.
To have plugs and wires installed it cost us $146.25 in labor, while parts cost $59.75.
I inquired about the excessive charges and was given to different stories. Ist story was Variable labor pricing due to book pricing is not accurate. This was given by service asst. The service manager stated that they do use a flat book rate but also incorporate a variable rate to cover their techs cost as well. Service mngr attempted to smooth price gouges by offering (3) free oil Changes. I felt it was better to inform public of their practices which can sting further than $80.00's worth of oil changes.
I personally feel that companies that price gouge should be put out of business!!!