Over $6000 to install TTI headers on 66 Barracuda

-
6 grand? This has got to be a joke... No way on earth... I wouldn't consider 1 grand, this is absolutely ridiculous. Oh, by the way, I have some slightly used toilet paper for only 400 bucks a roll.... interested?
 
RustyRatRod said:
I would contract with a towing company. Ride up there in the rollback with my JC Higgins double barrel and get my car and headers. Period.

Have done something similar before that was not car related. I stood in the middle of a computer showroom with that very shotgun. I got my stuff back with no charge.
Click to expand...


I like this approach. Let's them know you are pissed. Don't let this hoser take all the fun out of having your car.
 
Coated headers?

If they are, I'd be inspecting them for damage/scratches and reduce any damage off his SIGNED estimate.

Did you sign a work estimate?
 
OK everybody chill. Yes 6k is an outrageous number. The tech knows that too. Why is he asking that much? What all went into that 60 he's of work? There is more to this story than you (the op) is telling us I know some shops will sometimes try to squeak a few hours here and there by a costumer but at this level? There is something else to the puzzle. We need more details. A shop that can get 60$ an hour labor rate is probably a higher end shop
 
Still you said "legit" I don't see any legit shop doing something so outrageous. I just want to hear more of the story. What is the name of the shop and where is it located?
 
Please keep us posted on the results/progress. No way 6K. I've had shops refuse work I've inquired about because they KNOW it's difficult and they could go "upside down".
 
It's been said before call B.A.R. they are on your side. They will get your money back, or you can take him to small claims for an incomplete job.

Who's the mechanic Brendan M?
 
I thought "$6,000" in the title was a typo. I would be pissed about spending $600. Although that would probably be fair on this car and that setup. 6k would have to be custom made from scratch with the best material, fit, finish and performance possible. I'm talking work of freaking art status. There is just no way. Go take your property back and don't take no for an answer. Thats your ride.
 
I think the "rest of the story" is the mechanic is getting divorced because of his crack habit and is taking the OP for a sucker. Even up here $6000 would more than include the purchase price of headers, full exhaust, with installation and final tuning on the supercharger. (Supercharger cost not included of course!)
 
cudajames said:
The mechanic who has done most of the work on my car and friends is charging me over $6000 for the install of TTI headers on my 66 barracuda The sad part, the work is not completed. He called and asked for a payment. This is turning into a nightmare of a experience
Click to expand...

Don't give him a cent. You are being extorted. I recently went thru a similar situation with my wife's car. After a well worded letter to the service manager and the general manager of the dealership, today the general manager agreed to send me a check for $1,000.00, the amount I needed to keep it from going to court. Do your homework. You need not feel like you are at the mercy of an incompetent mechanic that has racked up a ridiculous bill.
 
This is why I learned to work on my own car; good advice all around! I've got to say, you should have asked us first before you pulled the trigger. Shops do this type of thing when they don't want the work.... Just an FYI..
 
Hope you're at least getting kissed during this rendezvous & dinner afterwards, as 6k will get you a high-end hooker almost anywhere! Pull the car, find a local race car shop & get one of the guys to work off-hours on it for 1/10 the money & you'll still be ahead! It's THAT simple. Hell, you could tow it down here to Phoenix & you'd still be ahead if I charged you $500, the average rate around here for the job.
Sorry you're in such a bad spot, but you need to step back & realistically look at the spot you're in & make some moves. Your "mechanic" sounds more like a con artist.....
 
MileHighDart said:
Stories like this are why I do everything myself.
Click to expand...

X2 The original estimate of $1000 was enough. That's $83/hr. for 12 hours. I just can't believe the $100/hour prices now days. If I can, I will do it myself. I don't begrudge anyone of a profit but it sounds like you are getting a hosing. tmm
 
toolmanmike said:
X2 The original estimate of $1000 was enough. That's $83/hr. for 12 hours. I just can't believe the $100/hour prices now days. If I can, I will do it myself. I don't begrudge anyone of a profit but it sounds like you are getting a hosing. tmm
Click to expand...

What's worse is, at dealerships, the labor rate is beyond 100 an hour, yet the mechanics rarely see much over 20 an hour.
 
James, sorry to hear about this. Too bad the Spitfires wouldn't work. Anyway, call the BAR if he went over the written estimate. I suggest talking to the guys at Campbell Auto Restoration. They aren't cheap, but they are very competent. A friend of mine works there.

Let me know if you need any advice. I used to work in the auto repair biz, plus I had my 66 for 27 years.

To the guys suggesting he take tow truck and a shotgun over to get his car - this is not the south. You would go to jail and be on the evening news if you did that here.
 
You verbally discussed paying him $1000.00
I would not pay a cent more...even though that's 2X what it's worth.
If he will not finish the job for that amount, hire a tow truck to go get your vehicle and flatbed it somewhere else for completion.
6k is ludicrous and not even anywhere near sane.
Sounds like he's trying to make up for a bad week. His problem, not yours.
Contact the BBB once you have your car.
 
Cudajames, I'm sorry to hear about this. For sure go get your car and headers. I can see him going slightly over by say 10% but not more than that.




RustyRatRod said:
What's worse is, at dealerships, the labor rate is beyond 100 an hour, yet the mechanics rarely see much over 20 an hour.
Click to expand...

RRR, I had a former dealership mechanic tell me yesterday he left his job after his boss told him he finished a repair too soon and leave the car on the rack for a couple more hours. I'm all about paying a fair price for a job, but I can't stand jack offs that rip people off.
 
Get your car and belongings, if it goes to court. Make the argument that you felt he was not competent and not capable of performing the duties. Then pay a fair amount for the 'work' completed.
 
1qwikScamp said:
OK everybody chill. Yes 6k is an outrageous number. The tech knows that too. Why is he asking that much? What all went into that 60 he's of work? There is more to this story than you (the op) is telling us I know some shops will sometimes try to squeak a few hours here and there by a costumer but at this level? There is something else to the puzzle. We need more details. A shop that can get 60$ an hour labor rate is probably a higher end shop
Click to expand...

Maybe there is more to the story. But at $60-100 an hour. It shouldn't take 60-100 hours to install a set of headers. I installed my TTI headers on my 64 Dart in less than a day in my driveway without a lift.
Crooks will be crooks!
 
Holy Bat S*it Batman I think you could get your car back for a big bag of crack. That guy couldn't get your headers on and still wants 6000.00 there is a big drug problem there. I got stuff from a customer for charging 200.00 to put headers on a big block 70 Nova. Don't loose it on the car and not all mechanic's are that fricking stupid. You just need one that gives a darn about doing a good job for a fair price. Keep going on the car and it will all be good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top