My best friend took his Unimog to an automotive shop (who said they could do it) to change the clutch.

 

Unimog sites and DIY folks say it's an 8-15 hour job.

 

He supplied all the parts, that's $8,000 in labor alone, like 100 hours. With parts and stuff it's pribably pushing $10,000 total.

 

It's just a basic gas Mercedes engine, not a diesel.

 

They never called with an estimate or got in so far and gave any indications it would be that high. They also scrambled for weeks to give an invoice of time spent, they didn't have one.

 

He is by no means averse to paying for work or even close to cheap. He is the opposite of that.

 

What recourse does he have? He is probably flying me out to help meet with the mechanics.

At what point does a shop call the customer to ask to move forward? Or inquire about excessive costs?

 

If someone took a car in making a noise and showed up to a new engine and $4,000 bill....that's not normal, no one does that without some agreement.

 

I'll go and hear them out first with no objective or goal. I want to see their face, clarity, and story.

 

Then let it sit a bit and maybe make an offer to settle it and be done with it

 

BBB? I can't see that helping.

What state ? The legal recourse available will depend upon the consumer laws of the state where the work was performed.

 

I think most states require an estimate before work begins. I believe Washington requires the shop to get permission to continue if the work will exceed a certain percentage of the estimate. Check the Attorney General's website of the state where the work was performed.

Edited April 6, 201610 yr by MR_Loyale

Georgia. Thanks.

Gary if this wasnt from you, I would seriously question a Unimog post

 

What year is it. What state is it in.

 

Aside from size (BIGBIGIBG) it should be a straight forward job. 

Edited April 7, 201610 yr by nipper

For fun 

The Georgia Consumer Affairs office can be reached at 1800 869 1123. Ask about the law and filing a complaint.

Thanks. Got a plan at least, see what happens.

 

Haha thanks for believing even a crazy question nip!

 

I think its a 1968. It's in good shape but not a magazine cover photo.

They havent changed much over the years, so  that video should give you a clue  

i've seen that video before, it's actually the same vehicle i think, it's a gas swedish 404. 

First conversation while nearly humorous has good signs. He and his worker were notably surprised. Id guess he doesn't have disagreements with many calm, well versed, resolute and prepared customers.

 

He asked what we would pay, but we didn't respind with a number. That was the plan from the beginning, just ask and let it sit. Let him worry about it some more, maybe a week.

 

And we would rather make an offer without his staff around, that way he can tell them whatever he wants to pad and smooth it over with them. If they're around, his pride will work against us.

 

I bet he would settle for $3k-$4k, but my friend is fine with $5k. So should end well.

He said. "The hours on that invoice might not be right but we worked all those hours".

 

"Maybe it wasn't 30 hous on the clutch but it was 30 hours on something"

 

Hmmmm

Give these guys a call and see how many hours a Unimog clutch should take.. They do Unimogs, tanks and a lot of other Military vehicles.. usually have 3-4 Unimogs around since they buy and sell them.

 

Millitary Collection

Grand Gorge Ny, 12434

(607)588-7002

dude you all are way to calm i wish i could let isht go like that they would have hell fire on there hands if it was me

Done deal - $4,300.  Settled for almost half. 

 

Legal route wasn't appealing. There are laws in place for consumers and businesses.  They have the right to file for ownership of the vehicle for unsettled accounts. Escalating on our end may have prompted that. While they likely wouldn't have won - it would require time, resources, vehicle sitting for who knows how long (at which point - what are they going to do to it?), and uncertainty.  This seemed overtly questionable enough I suspected he'd settle. 

 

Guy obviously encounters this a good bit, talking in circles and could take a beating with any retorts because he just doesn't listen or care. Been in business for 20 or 30 years and he's heard it all before.  

 

 

dude you all are way to calm i wish i could let isht go like that they would have hell fire on there hands if it was me

 

 

this involved high profile people/organizations/situation, overtly abrasive techniques weren't a good fit. 

 

that is one tool in a big tool box. more approaches = higher success rates.  if i can win and avoid people hating/disliking each other in the end, that's a double win. 

So that video showed them removing everything to pull the engine out.Why could they just drop the transmission from underneath?

So that video showed them removing everything to pull the engine out.Why could they just drop the transmission from underneath?

 

all the unimog folks pull the cab/engine, i'm not sure why. maybe dropping the trans is simpler but the same reasons subaru peopel usually pull the engine instead of drop the trans for a clutch too?

 

i drove it last weekend - should have video taped it - it really can drive over some bonkers sized stuff. 

first gear is so low you just start in 3rd and and 1st and second would be for crawling.