Question about independent shops - Did I get ripped off?

[Boxtaboy]

A water pump replacement and major service would probably have cost less than that at an official dealership. This indy doesn't sound honest to me. I once had my car serviced at a Porsche dealer where they charged me that amount, but they did a water pump change, engine mount change, service, and full brake change (all 4 pads, rotors, etc.). And gave me a Cayenne S as a loaner car. Next time, shop around for a written price before giving the car to them.

[drewman75]

Agreed Boxtaboy. I have definitely learned my lesson. Original verbal estimate was $2200 which I thought was high as well but assumed it would come in lower. And figured we could nitpick once I picked it up if I saw anything I didn't agree with. i was assuming if anything he was going to inflate parts prices which I was very aware of the costs of those and could speak to them. So the labor charges are what totally threw me for a loop. Just was not expecting that in the least. At that point, the car was already up on the lift because we looked at it together initially. And I could see the pump was shot. So based on what he said, I was concerned to take it down and try to get it home and then shop it around. Mistake number two on my part.

Quadcammer, he charged me for an 80k service which I thought strange since the car has 47K miles. Granted it is a 2005. Charged 8 hours for that and then 6 hours for "replace water pump and thermostat and fill with coolant and bleed system". He replaced both air and cabin filter, spark plugs, oil, brake fluid. seals and coolant. Dropped car at 10a and they close at 5p. But from the adjusted estimate call, i believe they were done by 4p. Wanted to keep overnight so he could 'burp the system' and top off in the morning. So basically charged me more than twice the hours they worked on the car.