Seeking Opinions: My shop broke something

[DallasBill]

Just had my car in for all 4 shocks, spring pads and rear shock mounts, as well as front sway bar links (I supplied all but the links). In the course of removing the rear seat to do the work back there, they broke one plastic guide at the top of one side of the rear seat -- where the shoulder strap feeds in and out.

They told me up front, blamed it on age and sunlight deterioration (which makes perfect sense) and told me it would be $5 for the part and about an hour's labour -- $75.

I'm thinking of suggesting to them that I'll split the whole cost w/ them to fix it, since I just dumped $750 on them already. What would you do?

[AllanS]

Just buy the part for 5$ and replace it yourself. If it's the part that I'm thinking about, the one that moves up and down along the pillar trim and holds the belt, you can just pull the pillar trim out (it's held by clips) and pop the new one in. 10 second job.

Or just have the shop do it and tell them you refuse to pay 75$ for them to do it. The guide is plastic, it's not going to desintegrate due to sunlight. All my trim and plastic is original, and for the past 10 years, all owners of the car have kept it outside.

[DallasBill]

If it's the part that I'm thinking about, the one that moves up and down along the pillar trim and holds the belt,

It's the rear seat, at the top of the rear seatback. There is one embedded in the leather on each side. The belt feeds into it as it diappears in behind the seat and apparently you have to remove the seat and unbolt the belt (somewhere) to thread the new guide onto the belt.

If it's in Bently, or someone has instructions, I'll do it myself.

[632 Regal]

I wouldnt pay someone 75 bucks to do that even if I was rich...well maybe rich and lazy.

[Bill R.]

Just buy the part for 5$ and replace it yourself. If it's the part that I'm thinking about, the one that moves up and down along the pillar trim and holds the belt, you can just pull the pillar trim out (it's held by clips) and pop the new one in. 10 second job.

Or just have the shop do it and tell them you refuse to pay 75$ for them to do it. The guide is plastic, it's not going to desintegrate due to sunlight. All my trim and plastic is original, and for the past 10 years, all owners of the car have kept it outside.

[winfred]

ditto, i wouldn't bite on the 75 bucks though, i eat it when i **** something up

Sorry Allen on mine it definitely did disintegrate due to sun and heat

[Geoff Hoad]

$75! Carumba! That's a licence to print money.

[mikemaster]

It's a half hour job DIY. I'd pass on the $75, and maybe talk to the shop owner if you plan on going back, maybe he'll do something for you.

[winfred]

if it's the parts fault and i don't have a used one to replace it we may ask for the customer to pay for the part but the labor's free unless it's something real stupid, like a customer seting us up for the fall

[GJPinAU]

I replaced both of mine - its an easy job, just pull up your seat base, undo the seat belt bolts, pull off old - put on new plastic trim, do up bolts, put seat back. And I'm a great believer in DYI.