greenex
New Member
So, in a somewhat chronological order, here is what happened:
Before going to the service shop I called a sort-of local Honda dealership and asked them how long it would take to do the 8k service. He said that based on a document Honda provides to its service dealers and a formula (multiply the Honda number by 1.X where X can change depending on how old the bike is), the total time he would charge for the 8k service would be 2.1 hours. I greatly thanked him for this information and let him know he might be hearing from me in the future.
I go to the service shop and ask them about the 5.5 hour charge. I tell them that based on the timing of my phone calls from yesterday and their responses, I estimate they worked on the bike for 2.5 hours or less. I also tell them that others have completed the service themselves or at a mechanic for around the 2-2.5 hour range and that a Honda dealership charges 2.1 hours for the service. After being given the run around for a while and hearing “checking the valves on ANY bike is at least a 4 to 5 hour job” multiple times, not being given a clear answer on when and how long the mechanic worked on my bike (although I wouldn’t normally expect a “when was it worked on” window), checking the Honda service manual, etc etc, I asked to speak to the service manager.
I went over the same things with the service manager who asked to speak to the Honda dealership I contacted. The manager’s intent was to figure out where this 2.1 hour number was coming from because based on the documents they received from Honda, the recommended service time (before applying the 1.X multiple) was way over 2.1. I was not going to blindside the Honda mechanic I talked to so she said to call him and figure out where the number comes from while she checks her sources. After a brief phone call I go back inside and a few changes happened before I could say anything.
First, there was a “mistake” that the 5.5 number should actually be 4.5 hours. Then the manager gave me a $75 credit. This effectively makes the total labor 3.75 hours. Still more than what I would estimate it to be, but based on some information learned here, from the Honda mechanic, and needing to cut my loses at some point, this number was much more acceptable.
In the end, the total went from $625.40 to $450.40. I appreciate the service manager’s help in working with me on what was a fair charge for labor. I do no appreciate the initial dishonesty, although, I realize this is par for the course (at least for this place).
Based on the wealth of information I’ve learned over the past 24 hours I will probably consider a different service shop.
Before going to the service shop I called a sort-of local Honda dealership and asked them how long it would take to do the 8k service. He said that based on a document Honda provides to its service dealers and a formula (multiply the Honda number by 1.X where X can change depending on how old the bike is), the total time he would charge for the 8k service would be 2.1 hours. I greatly thanked him for this information and let him know he might be hearing from me in the future.
I go to the service shop and ask them about the 5.5 hour charge. I tell them that based on the timing of my phone calls from yesterday and their responses, I estimate they worked on the bike for 2.5 hours or less. I also tell them that others have completed the service themselves or at a mechanic for around the 2-2.5 hour range and that a Honda dealership charges 2.1 hours for the service. After being given the run around for a while and hearing “checking the valves on ANY bike is at least a 4 to 5 hour job” multiple times, not being given a clear answer on when and how long the mechanic worked on my bike (although I wouldn’t normally expect a “when was it worked on” window), checking the Honda service manual, etc etc, I asked to speak to the service manager.
I went over the same things with the service manager who asked to speak to the Honda dealership I contacted. The manager’s intent was to figure out where this 2.1 hour number was coming from because based on the documents they received from Honda, the recommended service time (before applying the 1.X multiple) was way over 2.1. I was not going to blindside the Honda mechanic I talked to so she said to call him and figure out where the number comes from while she checks her sources. After a brief phone call I go back inside and a few changes happened before I could say anything.
First, there was a “mistake” that the 5.5 number should actually be 4.5 hours. Then the manager gave me a $75 credit. This effectively makes the total labor 3.75 hours. Still more than what I would estimate it to be, but based on some information learned here, from the Honda mechanic, and needing to cut my loses at some point, this number was much more acceptable.
In the end, the total went from $625.40 to $450.40. I appreciate the service manager’s help in working with me on what was a fair charge for labor. I do no appreciate the initial dishonesty, although, I realize this is par for the course (at least for this place).
Based on the wealth of information I’ve learned over the past 24 hours I will probably consider a different service shop.
