ON 07/20/09 I brought my Honda Harmony II lawn mower in to GRAVELY of Bradenton for a tune up. As they are one of 2 authorized service centers, my choices were limited. The mower was stalling and had to be run on CHOKE or it would stall. The service manager said the carburetor was clogged up, and to clean it and adjust the throttle would cost $50. I felt that rather high, but I said OK.
3 weeks later, they called and said the mower is now ready. I stop by, pay and the mower still does not run. I wait another week and when I return it still will not run. The fix it on the spot and all seems ok. I get it home and within an hour, it would not run. Naturally, I return to Gravely Livid. Then they said I needed a new Carburetor? It will cost $21.43 and all total the bill will be $30, so I say that seems unusual that they can fix it so easily all of a sudden, but if that fixes the problem, OK.
They call this morning (09/10/09) and say the mower is ready to pick up, and the bill is $87.43!! Yes, that's right, $87 for repair. This is a push lawn mower, and they are saying it took them 1 hour to repair it. At $60 an hour, that works out about right. No engine work, just a replacement of a carburetor on the front of the mower. The repair manual says repair time is 12-15 minutes, but if I don't pay, they keep the mower. I explained that that seemd like extortion, and they actually laughed and said "since we sell used mowers, we'll get our money either way". I just can't see paying $160 for a tune up of a 1 cylinder $400 mower (87 50 last week 25 4 months ago) and all for the same stalling problem.
Any who, now I have to go buy another mower. Just let everyone you know know that unless you own a commercial mower business, GRAVELY of Bradenton will rob you openly and laugh in your face when you complain.
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