Customer at my shop in Dayton refused a $220 alternator job because his nephew could do it cheaper. Two weeks later he came back on a tow truck.

Grant Palmer · 2026-10-02T01:55:05.082488+00:00

He stood right at my counter and told me AutoZone had the part for $140, so my quote was a ripoff. I just shrugged and handed him his keys. That was a Tuesday. Fourteen days later his truck showed up behind a wrecker, same alternator, plus a cooked battery and a melted ground strap. His nephew had yanked the old one and cross threaded the mount bolt, then overtightened the belt till it ate the pulley. Total damage came to $610 instead of the $220 I quoted. I don't rub it in when folks come back, but I also don't forget who told me my prices were crazy. How do you guys handle the comeback customers without being a jerk about it?

HW Forums

Loading…

Customer at my shop in Dayton refused a $220 alternator job because his nephew could do it cheaper. Two weeks later he came back on a tow truck. | Auto Mechanics - HW Forums