[greg bradbury]

I have never got a bill for mechanical work that I thought "gee that was fair and reasonable", it always hurts to cough up. I'm lucky and have been working on my own cars for years. I've saved a lot of money along the way. I've also learn some nasty lessons too when I've ****ed up or misdiagonsed a fault. It all evens out though. I don't pay for shop rent, workers insurance, payroll etc etc. It amazes me that people can actually make a living on cars. If they stuff up the owners are back quick as a flash yelling blue murder. A good shop has to factor in the ocassional come back into the cost otherwise he will be out of business. Then you have to find another shop and hope they are OK.

In the end you just have to grin and bear it or get your own hands dirty. In this case you were lucky that your relative had to pay.

Regards,
Greg