We took our car in for diagnostic checking because it was lagging when the accelerator was pushed. Kniesels charged us $129.00 for 1 hour of diagnostic checking. They called me after that one hour and said they had found out some wrong things but still didnt know all that was wrong. I told them I needed to know all that was wrong and they said they would have to bill us another hour. They called me back and gave me a full report and estimate. All together, just the diagnostic check cost us $259.00. I called the Toyota dealership and asked them how much they would charge for diagnostic checking and they said $115 per hour, so we found out the hard way that Kniesels is even more expensive than just taking it to the dealership. We asked around with some friends and found a smaller shop from a close friend that said he only charges $80 and hour for diagnostic checking. Kniesels is among the most expensive shops in Sacramento.
RESPONSE FROM Kniesel's Auto Service Center of Citrus Heights:
James,
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about your experience at Kniesels. I hope I was able to clarify the difference between an hourly rate and a Diagnosis. The diagnosis charge being $129 is not an hourly rate, rather the price for a series of tests that our technicians perform to first understand the problem and then formulate a plan to repair the vehicle. I do apologize that in the end we did not meet your expectation of how much time and money it should have taken to complete the detailed diagnosis and estimate to fully repair your 1997 Corolla. With many cars the diagnosis process is not nearly as labor intensive or complicated as it was in your case. This is noted on a prior vehicle that you brought in for a different concern where we actually charged you of what you were originally quoted. Please understand we cannot compete with your relatives pricing who is now working on your car. Our goal here at Kniesels is not to be the cheapest, rather to be the shop that provides you with accurate, thorough, dependable diagnosis and repair that we stand behind confidently and back with a 2 year/24K warranty. I know we have seen both of your cars multiple times over the past year and hope to have the opportunity to earn your business in the future.
Sincerely,
Bryan Pearson, General Manager Kniesels Automotive
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