WWPD ... auto repair wants more money after bill has been pd

I would pay what the original estimate was. 

I would pay, but not be so happy about it. People do make errors and if my regular mechanic did, then I would absolutely pay. I just don't like this whole thing. How quickly did they call? The same day? I'd probably be more inclined. Did they offer a discount on the total since they made an error? I'd pay right up.

How much over the estimate was it?

I always thought that the owner doesn't have to pay anything--parts or labor--for recall repairs.  The car manufacturer reimburses the dealer for the cost.

I wouldn't pay it - you have a bill, that they said was the final bill, and you paid what they said was owed, and it shows paid in full. When they present you with the bill, they should ensure all charges are on it before it is presented, and they didn't. I think they are going to have to write off the cost,

If this was a mechanic I had a relationship with, and really trusted, I might consider paying some or all of the charge as good will.

This is how I am feeling....

BUT it would depend on: how long they took to find mistake? Their chances of getting the extra amount is greatly increased if they catch it sooner. After a day? Yeah, probably not going to pay the whole amount.

Was the problem part of a recall? If it was, then you shouldn't have to pay it anyway. 

If I did pay, A) I would pay only up to the amount of the estimate and B) I would definitely be taking this up with the manager in person.

She already said she paid it.

There are so many moral people on here. How come I never meet any in real life?

Ditto.

I didn't realize that you had to pay for a recall repair. Is that a warranty issue? I had to take my car in for a recall airbag repair, and I paid nothing.

How does that work?

Hm…that's a tough question. I haven't read any responses so far, but I think I would talk with the manager first and see what his reaction was and then decide. As a business owner, I know how bad it hurts to lose money from a job…but at the same time, it's my job to make sure that estimates and invoices are correct. If I misquote a job, then that is on me.

Recently we had a situation where we picked a job that's a yearly event. It's a nice sized job and comes during the season where we are *just* starting to get busy for spring. It was a welcomed addition this year to our spring line up as it comes a little early and pays well. Since we hadn't done it before DH asked the supervising person about how long the previous company had spent on the installation for the event. He told us 4 hours, so we quoted it for him based on that information (no reason to think it was not accurate)

The job took 2 men 12 hours to complete. Which meant the work we'd had scheduled for the rest of the day didn't get done and I was in the shop alone an entire day. So DH spoke to one of the other crews that was there doing lighting - the lighting was based around the signs that we hung so they were working right behind our guys. DH asked them how long this job typically took them and the lighting guy said it usually took between 12-14 hours working behind the sign guys! WHAT?? We were told 4 hours - this guy laughed and was like, um NO. 

So I talked to the customer (who had been on site and saw first hand how it actually was done) and spoke to DH multiple times. We agreed that next year we would bill it at 12 hours labor. He offered to pay for 12 hours for this year, but we said no let's split the difference in the extra hours we didn't quote for. He was happy, we didn't LOSE money (but didn't make the profit we wanted on the labor). And he has come back to us already for another job we wouldn't have had otherwise.

See if you can work out a compromise. Most small business owners aren't out to rip you off in any way, we just want to make sure our expenses are covered and make a little money while we keep our customers happy!

I wouldn't pay either. 

If you ever plan on going back you have to pay. However computer glitch doesn't fly with me. The person who gave you the bill saw it was low balled such a huge amount and didn't see the word labor anywhere on the bill. Because of that, I would ask for a discount.

Your question has been answered to death, so I would just like to say I'm sorry that you had this happen.

Thinking you were paid up, using the money for something else, then finding out you 'owed' more would be very frustrating and disappointing. Not to mention stressful if it causes a hardship.

When we were in business, we would have eaten the mistake.

Something similar happened to us 4 years ago. I saved my money to get a breast reduction in Costa Rica as we had no health insurance.

XH put the money I saved on his card, and used that to pay the surgery the day beforehand.

While I was recuperating in the hotel room, my X was entertaining himself in the town (did you know prostitution is free and everywhere in Costa Rica? I didn't , either), and just as we were leaving the country, the doctor's receptionist frantically called saying she made a mistake and they only charged half the amount.

X said he would pay the rest but never did. A few months later I discovered his double life, he assaulted me, and now he's in prison. The surgeon never got the rest of his money, and I still feel bad about it.

I would have first questioned why the final bil was less than the quote especially if it were several hundred dollars? If you feel like you shouldn't pay it at all maybe ask what the mechanics % is. My husband makes 18-21%. He may not get paid if you don't pay that labor fee or slide him his portion in cash where allowed. The bad part is the poor mechanic that won't get paid had nothing to do with the messed up ticket that would fall in the service manager ask me how much money dh has lost bc the service managers have forgetton to charge for stuff.