German Formula
A auto repair shop with shady business practises

German Formula is trying to overcharge me me by close to $1000.

On March 18th I tried to pick up the car and signed the invoice under protest and refused to pick up the vehicle. I later went over the invoice and found that I was overcharged by close to $1000. I emailed the owner Ralf Leopold on March 22nd 2010 about the issue with the invoice and received no reply. I received a registered letter from German Formula a few days ago asking for prompt payment and threatening me with a storage fee of $40 per day. I called the owner Ralf Leopold and left him a voicemail on his cell phone. I received no return call and was later informed by Jay Bernard the service writer via email that the owner Ralf Leopold would contact me after April 3rd 2010 after he returned from his oversees trip.

Below is the original quote below followed by what charges I aurthorized and last the invoice I received:

Original Quote from Service Writer Jay Bernard at German Formula:
Sent: Monday, February 22 1:04 PM To ME

Check engine light: Needs new O2 sensors, $450 PARTS AND LABOR #1

Outer interior vents: $376 #13

Gear shift selector: $161 IN PROCESS ALREADY

Rear shocks $574 #5

Transmission pan leak $290 #3

Driveshaft flex joint: $324 #4

Transmission mount $ 65 #6

Transmission seal $86 #8

Valve cover gaskets $410 #2

Brake pressure switch $126 #9

Engine drive belts $145 #7

Passenger seat motor $778 #12

Sunroof motor $314 #11

Front passenger side strut mount $389 #10

Plus right now we have 3 hours in diagnosis time ($240) and we have not done the oil change.

I authorized item number 1,2, 3 plus 6,8, 9,11 and 13 which should total $2416.44.

#1 Check engine light $450
#2 Valve cover gasket $410
#3 Transmission pan leak $290
#6 Transmission mount $65
#8 Transmission seal $86
#13 Outer interior vents $376 Gear shift selector $161
#9 Brake pressure switch $145
#11 Sunroof Motor $314 Oil change $119.44 -.

Total $2416.44

Here is the invoice I received from German Formula:

Invoice No.
000002760

German Formula DATE: 02/19/10 09:46 am

Diagnosis issues

Oil service

Oil and filter service labor: $24.00

5W30 Synthetic 5W30 8.0 @ 9.73 =$ 77.84
11 42 7 510 717 Oil Filter Kit 1.0 @ 17.60 =$ 17.60
Job Subtotal: $119.44

Side window ducts labor: $40.00

Both side window interior ducts stll blow warm/hot when
controls are set full cold.

Job Subtotal: $40.00

Drivers door lock not working labor: $80.00

Diagnosis - needs new outer door handle.

Job Subtotal: $80.00

Gear position labor: $160.00

When selecting gear the display does not show selection.
Selector unit calibration is not within specification. Remove
and recalibrate gear display selector.

Job Subtotal: $160.00

Passenger seat no movement labor: $40.00

Passenger seat will not move forward or backwards.

Needs new seat motor. Customer declines work at this time.

Job Subtotal: $40.00

Sunroof closing issue labor: $120.00

Have to "wiggle" sunroof" switch to fully close sunroof.
Needs new motor for sunroof.

67611383319 SUNROOF MOTOR 1.0 @ 565.00 =$ 565.00
Job Subtotal: $685.00

Valve cover replacement labor: $344.00

Both valve covers leaking, replace

11129069872 V/COVER GASKET 1.0 @ 32.21 =$ 32.21
11129069871 V/COVER GASKET 1.0 @ 32.21 =$ 32.21
Job Subtotal: $408.42

Replace transmission mount labor: $48.00

22316771219 TRANS MOUNT 1.0 @ 16.57 =$ 16.57
Job Subtotal: $64.57

Replace transmission seal labor: $80.00

Shaft seal on transmission leaking fluid, replace seal.

24147571213 SHAFT SEAL 1.0 @ 5.52 =$ 5.52
Job Subtotal: $85.52

Replace transmission pan gasket labor: $160.00

Replace leaking pan gasket and install new transmission
filter and fluid.

24111421140 pan gasket 1.0 @ 18.57 =$ 18.57
24341422419 at filter kit 1.0 @ 63.17 =$ 63.17
atf11l bmw trans fluid 6.0 @ 14.95 =$ 89.70
job subtotal: $331.44

Replace o2 sensors labor: $120.00

Vehicle has fault code for both 02 sensors, replace both
sensors.

13522 O2 SENSOR 2.0 @ 168.75 =$ 337.50
Job Subtotal: $457.50

Replace rear trunk struts labor: $40.00

Replace both gas charged trunk struts

SG302019 Trunk Strut 2.0 @ 44.76 =$ 89.52
Job Subtotal: $129.52

Install front spoiler labor: $95.00

Install new front spoiler (customer provided).

Job Subtotal: $95.00

Interior air vents labor: $160.00

Replace heater valve causing outer air vents on dash not to
work.

1 147 412 038 ACC Mono Valve 1.0 @ 216.00 =$ 216.00
Job Subtotal: $376.00

Replace drive belts labor: $96.00

Replace both main and accessory drive belts.

5PK-0980 Multi Rib Belt 1.0 @ 26.72 =$ 26.72
7PK-1580 Multi Rib Belt 1.0 @ 22.50 =$ 22.50
Job Subtotal: $145.22

Payments to German Formula Cost Summary

Labor 1,607.00
Parts 0.00
Non Taxable 1,610.63
Hazardous Waste 45.00
Shop Supplies 40.17
Subtotal 3,302.80
Tax 0.00
Total $3,302.80
Payments 0.00
Bal Due 3,302.80

Company: German Formula
Country: USA
State: Oregon
City: Portland
Address: 100 Northeast 11th Avenue
Phone: 5032381707
Site: germanformula.com

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