QUESTION: I recently had five (5) new light bulbs installed on my dashboard console. The repair shop told me that it would take two (2) hours to replace [i.e. removing the steering column and replacing each $2 bulb. My bill for the replacement was a whopping $138 plus parts. That was the most expensive bulb replacement that I had ever heard of.
Isn't there an auto labor guide that specifies how long a repair should take? If so, how can I find out the time that's listed for a particular repair. I feel that I was overcharged for this specific repair. Since I am clueless when it comes to auto repairs, I find myself being taken advantage of [in hindsight]. Recently, I discovered that I was charged for repairs that my car didn't need. My most recent repair bills totaled almost $1,000...with maybe only $400 worth of the repairs being the actual [correct] diagnosis. Because I am a woman, I feel that I am getting ripped off. Repairs are suggested and implied to be necessary when I later discover that they were not. Please point me in the right direction so that I can know when I am being overcharged for labor hours/costs! Thanks in advance!
ANSWER: Yes, there are such guides. One comes from Mitchell and the other from AllData. I believe one or the other has a service that allows you to look up the information yourself. There is probably a fee for it. You can also call a dealership or repair shop and ask them to look it up for you based on the year, make and model.
It is possible for such a repair to take two hours. Some automakers have made changing a light so difficult, it has to be done by a professional with special tools. The newer your car is, the more likely that is to be the case.
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