I saved $600

Recently I went into an auto mechanic shop to get my car checked out because it had been leaking fluid. After the mechanics did their $44 routine check-up it appeared that my water pump was needing to be replaced along with several other things. They wanted to replace something called my tie rod ends which they said had been worn down and were almost broken. The tie rod ends purpose is to keep the steering functioning. (I found this out by hearing a rough explanation from the raspy voiced mechanic and by looking it up on the web.) They also told me in order to replace the water pump that they would need to replace my timing belt. Then they tell me the importance and urgency of the situation and I asked for the price. "It will be $1131 to replace the water pump and timing belt. It will be $425 to replace the tie rod ends, but we have already taken off the tie rod ends since they need to be replaced so badly." Hmm...well okay I guess "ya got me on the tie rod ends" is what is going on in my mind, but I'm not getting the other stuff done by you. I will go to another shop.

I thought that this was just a bad business decision. They put me in a spot that I wasn't happy to be in. I came to them so they could do a routine check-up and correct the problem of the leaking fluid. How did the tie rod ends become more important? I hadn't even heard of this auto part before this phone call. I told them to go ahead and replace the tie rod ends, but not to fix the main problem. They were confused over the phone and even when I went back in there to pick up the car. I told them that I would get it taken care of and I did. A couple days ago I went to another shop and they replaced my timing belt, water pump, thermostat and even the radiator cap for $520. Over $600 cheaper than than the other joint. Ridiculous. I can't believe that people are getting ripped off from that place. I was mainly disappointed in the fact that the first company claims to be "Christian". They were considerably higher than the second shop and I felt that they were taking advantage of the situation that I was in with a part that I didn't even know about. Often times we will get a second opinion when it comes to a physician about a medical condition and I would suggest the same when it comes from a mechanic. My wallet is thicker because I didn't feel pressured to fork over the money when they had my car in the garage and that is how I saved $600.