Pedders at Bathurst.
I must apologise, however, for calling the girl at the counter a lying b***h. I have no idea what pressure she was put under.
It was total b******t. I was not quoted that figure because I would have said no.
There's no question about that, as I would have then looked at buying the shocks and fitting the things myself, and if that was not possible, talking to a local mechanic about them doing it, and if that was going to cost a lot more, I would have gone back and got the work done at Bathurst.
It's the way I do things.
As I said, the work is fine and I'm glad I got it done. Had they been more reasonable I wouldn't have even asked for my money back - if the mistage was genuine.
But, really...lying? The low-down %&$*(@'s...

I am majory tired dealing with bandits at most of these sort of stores. I go straight online including ebay and pay with Paypal and if there's any issue I make a go at it with teh seller (to be truthful, pretty much one issue ever). I got my shocks, bushes, links, arms everything off eBay for half of what most stores want to charge.

I don't hold any pity for retail sellers complaining about online when they try to slap buyers for 100+% gross margin and keep a straight face doing it. The only advantage they have is the labour side of things, and I took the view long ago to invest in the tools for the first time and never need those guys again. hence I have all the pullers, presses, compressors etc etc to do most suspension work. the only recent concession was ball joints on the EA which needed a tool I didn't know about at the time.

For EA I can do front shocks once the car is off the ground in 20 minutes a side if I'm sober. I did the rear shocks in 10 a side and that only took sol ong because I was keeping the interior trim clips in good nick.

I understand your point, but I have no issue paying someone who does work for me.
I have the cash, and they get the work. It's a good deal all round.
Also, some stuff I like doing myself, or feel confident doing, other stuff not.
All I ask is for an honest quote, or an honest solution if a problem occurs.

seems to like you should be out doing this work full time, single handedly revolutionizing the industry.

Hi,

Pedders has branch's and franchises. That would explain why there are mixed reports. The quote does seem like a joke, some things may need to be done but I doubt all would. I like my EL, and I dont like the newer cars. I have no issue to spend money to keep it safe and reliable.

Going back some years there was a Website created by an ex Pedders franchisee. It was a very interesting read. Dont know if it was true, but there was enough detail to keep me away.

A lot of quotes are given without even looking, some years ago a Bloke bought some tyres, and had them replace his " dodgy " shocks. He had to go to another branch for the rest of his tyres, obviously didnt have a full set in stock. The next shop gave him a report about having bad shocks also. Went back for the old shocks and a refund.

Regards 96ELGli

Yes, imagine honesty, fairness, and doing the job right first time in the interests of the customer. That WOULD be revolutionary....

I know it exists out there, but there's just too many ruining it for everyone else.

Seems a common trait with franchise businesses.

I had my coilovers purchased & installed about 12 months ago at taren point. They did an alright job but thy too wanted to replace every bush, bearing, ball joint etc, stating they had to be replaced asap. Anyway, to their credit they called me before doing it and we agreed on price that they would work to.
I was fine with their work. They did what we agreed and no more. I'll say now that i have no idea about suspension so when a "specialist" calls you telling you how bad it is, i believe them

The problem i had was i went to my usual mechanic, who is excellent, isn't a rort and services all of my cars often. The old timer had a look at the suspension report and laughed. He checked my car out and everything was fine and serviceable. So my balljoints were fine and many rubbers "needing immediate replacement" are still in the car and still fine. I could have easily spent another $500 to Pedders for work not needed.

I know i can't get money back as we verbally agreed to a figure, BUT how many people get duped into having stuff done that doesn't need replacing? It's either a rort or their checking procedure has very small tolerances/unskilled workers

I was thinking more along the lines of you'll be given a big shock when you work out how much it costs to operate a small workshop and how much toll it takes on your body doing it day after day after day.

But hey, you can do some work every now and then and buy small quantities of parts online and pretend like you could run a business like that.................................

Actually, having been a joint owner of a company that ran 23 trucks, and did most of our own maintenance, I reckon I know a bit about that. Having also run divisions of major companies procuring all the materials and services exceeding $500m a year, I also reckon I know a bit about it. They key is what gross margin is acceptable for a particular sale?

What I see is business owners running around spending their money on big toys and expecting their everyday clients to fund that. I have no problems with a business covering COGS and making good GM, just not triple figures...