I brought my car in for its 75,000 mile servicing. I received a call from Honda that my lower ball joints needed to be replaced. I was told that this would be very expensive — in the neighborhood of $500 — but that it was important that I had them replaced. Since this was an actual Honda dealer, I didn't question them too much on the price — I thought I was paying a premium for having the best service and for knowing I wouldn't be ripped off.
When I received the bill, it was $537.74. Honda also performed a four-wheel alignment, bringing the total for this part of the servicing to $627.69. I was advised that the lower ball joint replacement essentially required an alignment — I could get away without it, but it wasn't a good idea and my wheels would likely not be aligned properly. I authorized both of these charges.
Afterwards, I was told by another Honda dealer that this servicing shouldn't have cost more than $200. A non-Honda shop told me this type of servicing should cost about $150. I also researched it on a the web — according to RepairPal, this type of work in the same zip code, for the same year, make, and model should cost $141 - $201. Of this amount, the parts should have cost $21 - $48, and the labor should have cost $120 - $153. These estimates are inline with the estimates the other dealer and shop quoted me.
Honda of Tyson's charged me $466.60 for labor and $71.14 for parts ($35.57 each). While the price they charged me for the parts was reasonable, it seems they severely overcharged me for labor. Noting labor is most lucrative to the shop, this makes sense.
I don't debate that I authorized the charges. However, I am disturbed that I was badly overcharged by a dealer. Honda manages its brand very carefully and it's suprising to me that one of its franchises would do this sort of thing.
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