Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 20:07:30 +0100 From: "John Hudson" <mypcnospam.com> Subject: Re: Saab 9-5 main beam relay fails. Dealer charges 90 UKP to 'locate fault'.
"David Tong" <gz30nospamternet.invalid> wrote in message news:dk025g$4aj$1nospammz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com... > After a brief stop last monday evening both main beams on my Saab 9-5 (new > mid-1999) failed to work even though they'd worked fine previously. Each > beam has own fuse, and very unlikely both would fail together, so sounded > like the main beam relay. By phone the service guy at Saab main dealer > agreed this seemed likely, so I booked it in for collection, repair, and for > two new tyres at the same time. > > When car delivered back the invoice shows over 400 UK pounds. Worse, one > item is 90 UKP for 'tracing fault in electrical system and localising to > main beam relay'. (Relay itself another 39 UKP). The garage service > department justified it by saying the 'engineer' spent '2.49' hours on the > whole job (including tyre fitting and balancing) at 79 pounds per hour. > Said they had to go through a 'structured fault-finding scheme' to locate > the relay problem. To me it's an exorbitant charge for proving the obvious. > > Two years ago I got suspicious when I collected a replacement remote control > key unit I'd ordered. The guy at the desk went in the back and I overheard > a muttered exchange: 'What should I charge for it?'. Answer: 'Hmm, what > about 150 quid?' > > I'd intended to buy a new 9-5 from this same dealer when the new version > comes out (making it my fourth new Saab from them over the years) but the > way I feel right now, they're the last ones I want to buy from. Snag is > they're the nearest dealer and I'm not sure if others would collect and > deliver for servicing. Maybe it's time to forget Saab... > > I'd appreciate second opinions on this. I expect to pay a reasonable > premium for good service if they're honest with it, but this 'fault-finding' > charge makes me feel I've been taken for a mug once too often. > > --- > David Tong I don't like the idea of using a main dealer if one is running a 6 year old car unless you have your own business ( unlikely with a 6 year old car) or have an expense account. Write the bill off to experience and either do the work yourself or find a small outfit that specialises in Saabs. I am sorry you have been caught but someone has to pay for the nice showroom and the smartly dressed staff. I hope you used the coffee machine.
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