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My '91 900 vert had the typical morning sickness problem with steering. I took the car to Sabmedic, Manasquan, NJ. Sabmedic is listed on this site as a Saab repair shop. I dropped the car off and advised Alex (owner) of my problem. He advised it could be the power steering pump or the rack. I left the car for him to look at. Alex looked at the car and advised thye car needed a steering rack, lower steering joing, and tie rod ends. I was advised the price for this would be $ 1750.00. I was shocked at how much this was going to cost. Alex advised the cost of parts alone was $ 1100.00. Being very stupid, I advised him over the phone to do the work. After thinking about the price I began to do some research and looked up the cost of the parts. The cost simply did not add up to $ 1100.00. I went to Sabmedic and spoke with Alex. I inquired about the cost of the parts and he advised me that all of the parts being used were NEW and were from Saab, hence the $ 1100.00 price. Alex advised the steering rack alone was $ 650.00. I asked to see the estimate and Alex advised it was not at the shop (it was at home). Alex advised he would not charge tax and that he would do an oil change, transmission flush, and coolant flush for an extra $ 200.00. I left and did more research (on this site). Saab does not make a NEW steering rack. I saw many remanufcatured racks including one made by Maval with tie rod ends for $ 300.00 or less. I went back to the shop and it was closed. My car was outside. It appears as though Alex does not work everyday at the shop. I left a message for him to NOT do any work and to please call me. My call was not returned. I phoned several days later and Alex advised he began working on my car and that he did not get my message (he had gotten every other message that I have left). I questioned him about the NEW parts and he advised me that the steering rack was a new remanufactured rack made by Maval. I advised him that I new the Maval racks were not $ 650.00 and that tie rod ends came with the remanufactured rack. Alex appeared to plasy dumb and advised this was the price that Saab was charging him. I advised him that I was not happy with the overcharge for parts (at this point I'm not happy with apparent dishonesty, but he's got my car). In any case I phoned Alex to see if my car was done (he needed almost 2 weeks because he is not at the shop every day) and asked about the price. Alex advised he would get back to me. The price was $ 1970.00 (cash - no tax). I went to the shop and was advised by Alex that he questioned the steering rack price with Saab and that they did not make steering racks anymore and that the rack was not a Maval it was another brand (forgot what he said). Alex advised he argued with Saab and obtained the rack for $ 450.00. I was then informed that I would not get an itemized bill for the work that was performed because he was not charging tax. I did not argue and paid in cash. Ok I know I AM STUPID. I feel as though I was raped by this guy. I checked around and could have had the steering job done by another much bigger Foreign car specialist (Mayo Auto Service, Red Bank, NJ) for $ 1200.00. I brought the car to Sabmedic because I felt he was a knowledgable Saab mechanic who specialized in the brand. Do not trust this shop. If you go there, obtain a written estimate and shop around. I could not sleep last night over my stupidity.
posted by 67.85.1...
, Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:05:43
, Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:08:15
, Tue, 20 Apr 2010 06:32:41, Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:21:00
, Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:31:10, Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:35:58, Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:41:53
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