wacko service writers

[Harry R Glesner III <hglesner@ast.lmco.com>]

Gang:
  Well I don't want to put a damper on this time of joy and merriment, but...I 
took the Audi a '91 90q20v to McDonald Audi/VW in merry old Littleton for a oil 
change, tire rotation, and the replacement of some broken exhast hangers.
  First I must say I've been doing buisness with "Continental" McDonald Audi/VW 
for the last 7 year with great regularity, mostly the VW side of the house for 
my '86 Jetta customization...but the Audi side of the house has gotten all of my 
buisness on oil changes and check-ups since I got the 90q in May. With great 
good luck and good will. Small terms I really like the place, I think I still 
do, but here is my story.
  The Audi was needing an oil change I like the 3k schedual and try to stick to 
it. While I was a it I'd have the tires rotated and the exhast hangers checked 
and the broken ones replaced. The tire rotation, and the oil change charges were 
quite in line, $19 for the oil, and $16 for the tire rotation. But the bill was 
for $93.69...WHAT!
  The exhast hanger "repair" was for 3 rubber hangers @ $2.82 each equaling 
$8.46 O.K., but the labor said:
     
     18  CPA  0.50                           $49.50
     
     That correct I was being charged @ a $99 an hour rate to replace 3 exhast 
"rubber bands" and it took the tech 1/2 an hour to change them. Lets just say I 
found that a "little" over the top. I took the bill back to the service writer 
and was confronted with a real additude. "I've been with Audi for 10 year, and 
thats just the way it is." "your (I'm) lucky to have gotten off that cheap, that 
Audi has a sliding scale of charging that goes from $65 an hour to $130 an 
hour!"
     Well I was not going to take this, also knowing that the last time I 
replace some exhast hangers I did in my drive way with 2 screw drivers in about 
10 min.
     This became quite a bru-ha-ha...he all but acussed me of taking the food 
out of the techs kids mouth. So be it...with great, and agressive pomp and 
aditude I was asked what I thought the service was worth and was credited with 
that amount and told that "WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN". And was marched up to the 
cashiers window. I explained to him that over the last year I read of many 
situations like this on this quattro/Audi/20v news group and that I was very 
stunned that it was happening to me, at a place I trust. He then accussed me of 
threating him with the internet. 
     Wow...well I've decided to tell the story, to you all, and to Audi North 
America, and to the owners of McDonald Audi/VW.
     I don't know what else to say, I really don't think it was the dealerships 
problem, I've NEVER had any missgiving at using them in the past. But as long as 
this service writer has it out for atleast my billfold, I'll think twice about 
letting him have access to it.
     His name is Rick Schneider @ McDonald Audi/VW in Littleton, Colorado. Has 
any one else had a simular problem, know the man?
     
Your input is appreciated:
Rick Glesner
Littleton, Colorado
'91 90q20v