Carvone

Sometimes if you wait until the compressor grenades it can send shrapnel downstream to the condenser and be a problem for the new pump. Most A/C places prefer to put in new parts (on your dime) to make sure you don't come back yelling for a refund. Hell, sometimes you need all new parts, maybe you don't? Get a competent shop to look at it as these guys seem expensive.

stingray71

I'm not sure of the compressor price, but I had my condenser replaced including evac and refill refrigerant etc. This was done at a Chevy dealer near me and price was $1000. The condenser had a leak. It would suck to have to replace both compressor AND condenser.
You can do the A/C belt yourself. Are they really charging you an extra $105 to remove and replace that belt if they are already replacing the compressor? Seems like that should be part of the labor cost (not parts) for the compressor.

dmsog

I successfully ran an automotive business for 40 years. Anybody that tried to negotiate my rates was asked the same question by me ...Do you see a sign that says flea market over the door?
People won't try to negotiate at the doctor's office or the grocery store, why would they try that stuff on me? I found this practice insulting.
Just a view from the other side of the fence.

KingCorvette93

Great advice! I didn't think of it that way. Thanks!

jimijam

If YOU haven't tried to negotiate a price at the doctor's office or dentist, that's on you. You keep that old school way of thinking alive and well. For others, even Starbucks will give you a 10% discount if you ask. Grocery store? Probably not unless you are ordering fresh flowers to give your boyfriend for Valentine's Day.

Cherokee Nation

I would not walk.....I would run from that place.

FAUEE

In college I worked at best buy. People tried this all the time. We never budged on prices. We did price match, but if you just want a discount because you asked? That's insanity to me. Now if we put together a big system purchase we would sometimes do a discount to throw in extras like a warranty, but prices were plainly marked.

The funny part is it was the same people who would come in and try it all the time, with the same results. We all judged them. We got to the point where we didnt even want to deal with them, and so would find other customers to help first. We never had anything in the back for them. They generally just got worse service for treating us like our time wasnt valuable.

If you just bought a car you cant do the work on yourself... you are in no bargaining position. If you dont feel good about that price, get a dealership quote. You'll feel much better about the other shop's price and thank them!

HobbesTiger

I usually do the wrenching on my cars, but there are times when I don't. I've done the AC system on several of them that required replacing everything after the compressor came apart internally.

I won't take the cheap way out simply because I learned when I was younger that doing the job once is preferable to doing it twice.

I also have no problem with anyone valuing their own expertise and marking up the price of parts slightly. All I expect is that they can explain why there is a fair price.

That being said that estimate seems awfully high. As others have said, there is nothing special about the AC system. I would get a second estimate.

Cherokee Nation

If Starbucks gave me a 90% discount i still would not drink there sh&t coffee.