Was at the dealer today...

It is a business. However, anyone who has ever changed their own cabin filter knows that there is no universe where the time, effort, and materials it takes to change that out can be worth $85 (what my local dealer wanted to do it).

I have installed my own leather interior before, and it took me about 8 hours to get everything in as a total novice.
I went to my local auto interiors place and asked what they would charge to install my seat covers I purchased on ebay. The guy quoted me $1400 to install front and rear katskinz seat covers. I balked and said I would start installing them if there were actually people paying those prices. I also told him I thought he was giving me the “go away, I don’t really want your business anyway price”. I live in a community where people have money, but I don’t know too many people whose time is worth nearly $200 an hour.

I don’t think the marketplace should be what people will pay if you can convince them to, the market should be what it costs you plus a reasonable margin to stay in business.

All the things you listed probably cost less than $250 to do yourself. I would guess that the first time you learn to do them they will take (collectively) 4-5 hours of time, probably less after you know what you are doing. If you don’t have that kind of time, pick the most important and start working your way down the list one at a time.

The biggest issue for me with that list is that I wouldn’t trust the person wanting to charge me that much to do those thing a, if in fact they actually have an idea what they are charging for.

I drive 30min to get to my mechanic who works out of his home garage- he charges between $50 and $65 an hour. If he said I needed a new transmission, I would trust him. Wouldn’t really even need an explanation because I know his judgement well enough to know. I have enough experience with my local dealer to know that not wiper blades, not filters, not spark plugs, not safety recalls will I ever trust them with if I can absolutely avoid it, and probably not even then unless I can confirm the necessity through a third party. No trust. Not as a matter of principle, but of experience with their way of doing business. Dealers get a bad reputation, but often it is for very good reason.

 

For the transmission flush, I bought 12 quarts off of Amazon for $120 and a really well regarded shop did it for $135. I would have done it myself but I was sick of hand pumping fluid after doing the 3 gear boxes and a large lump was going to run me $80. So what’s another $55 to have someone with a ecu computer do it for me while I go on a mountain bike ride.

If it’s any consolation the dealer wanted $1350 to change TPMS units in my wheels.

These people are total thieves and prey on those who are intimidated by service. As one comment says you can do all this stuff yourself. Especially the gear boxes which are as easy as changing the oil.

 

$135 for a transmission flush? That almost kinda sounds too good to be true. That's a slightly involved process...I guess maybe not as much so if you don't have the A/T cooler...but still, that price sounds greatly undervalued compared to even going rate for a private shop.

 

I used to use the quick lube places for oil changes until they brought me this plastic coated piece of paper with a sample of every fluid in my vehicle. I said I didn’t give permission to touch anything other than doing the oil change, declined everything.

I made a mistake, went back for an oil change on sale, asked if he can do an oil change for me without touching anything else to show me samples again, he said yes. Then here he comes with the plastic coated paper, I thought you said you could, he said yes I said I could but didn’t say I would. It took some restraint not to put my fist in his face.

Then I find my differential leaking, the idiot cross threaded the plug.

I know someone who worked at a Honda dealer, he said they get a minimum 3 per month full engine replacement because they didn’t tighten the drain plug or filter, or forgot to put oil in.

So I never go to those places ever. I can do almost everything my truck needs except I don’t own all the special tools for suspension work.

 

For the labor only mind you. Total job including Toyota ATF-WS was $255. OP dealer price was $400 so this seems in line with what I’d expect, dealer vs qualified shop.

I’ve watched 3-4 videos from DIYers and it looked like about 1-1.5 hour job for an experienced tech. If I had a lift I could do all three gear boxes in 30 minutes. So I can imagine someone who knows transmissions can do the work pretty efficiently.

 

Add another message to the BS salesmen. You can do all of that yourself

 

I don’t believe in maintenance on a Toyota. Do you think the Taliban change cabin air filters or PS fluid?

 

Simply thank him for the list and move on. At your discretion, have items you deem needed serviced / repaired by a reputable shop or yourself.

As a lesson to others, as you are completing the incoming paperwork with the service writer, clearly state, and have it put on the paperwork, they are not authorized to accomplish any tasks outside those listed. If needed, clearly decline the gazzilion point inspection. You could even stipulate further, any item outside your intended workscope they will be liable for warranty work for 12 months.

 

That’s amazing...it’s almost impossible to cross thread a diff plug!

 

I don't do my trucks oil changes. The pain in the a___ factor versus the charge for someone else to do it isn't enough to make me do it myself, so I pay $45 for a small shop to change it for me with a synthetic blend. That shop charges $105 (labor) for a transmission flush.

 

You should have asked how much a blinker fluid change would be as well as the price of rotating the air in your tires since you probably have summer air in them still

 

Here's what you MUST do.
Find yourself a reputable local garage and spend your money there, for things you can't do yourself.
They will thank you and be sincere, you will feel better and save money.

 

I worked in the service department at a couple dealerships. They are there to make money. They are playing you for a sucker. Are you going to fall for it? Only go to dealerships when your car is under warranty. They will tell you its all about customer service but that is just a ploy to get at your wallet. It was the same at the 4 dealerships I worked at. They are all the same. Find a good local mechanic you can trust. They are out there.

 

I usually change the air and cabin filters on the way to the dealership and leave the empty boxes and receipt on the passenger seat. It keeps them "honest."

 

i did nothing really except engine oil changes for first 200k miles