Looking for Opinion...Car dealer ripoff?

They'll put nails in your tires or mess something else up, always be polite as you never know what you're dealing with, especially these days

There is your problem, in your very own words.

You agreed to a vague SERVICE DESK diagnosis, that the system ONLY needed a re-gas to fix. Where did the gas go? It is not a consumable like oil that needs replacing from time to time.

So IF low on refrigerant gas there must be a leak, which would need detecting and fixing. Surely you understand this.

Your mistake was going into a dealership rather than taking it to an A/C specialist who would do basic tests for a fixed fee.

Connecting gauges would straight away determine if there is gas in the system (100 PSI). Then forcing the compressor to run, to check high and low pressures to prove compressor works - basic stuff that only takes minutes.

As for a quotation for repairing an A/C system, there could be multiple problems which come to light as parts are replaced. Knackered compressor, leaking compressor seal, leaking pipes, leaking evaporator, leaking condenser, faulty controls, relay's, pressure cut-out switches, blocked matrix, incorrect fan operation on evaporator or condenser.

No one can give a fixed quote, just an estimate with proviso's. If it runs and is just low on gas then a leak detecting additive probably needs to go in as well, to know where the gas is escaping.

If you go to court, YOU WILL LOSE.

First, you are not well educated - by your spelling mistakes,
Second, you agreed to a action suggested by THE SERVICE DESK.
Third, the Service Desk suggestion was on your report of the problem.
Fourth, you EXPECTED a (cheap) fix without a firm "quotation" for repair.
Fifth, you admit not wanting to spend money on a proper diagnostic.
Sixth, your expectation of a fix is unreasonable and obviously disingenuous.
Seventh, you accept that the dealership spent more time on the fault than on the invoice.
Eighth, you are speculating on what they did in terms of the re-gas.
Ninth, you suddenly seem to be an expert, after the event rather than before.

I could go on about the way you come across in this post / drama and how a court would see right through you as being a twister.

The only thing in your favour is that the technician who worked on your car probably knew exactly what the problem was in about 30 minutes, but did what was agreed between Service Desk and Customer. It's a fucking dealership. $250 for a top-up and proper diagnostic and quotation for the fix was not particularly excessive under the circumstances.

Taking an 8 year old car to a dealership rather than an A/C specialist makes little sense considering the fault report of the owner (you).

The dealer is supposed to be the expert on the vehicle.

I have taken cars in for service where they are trouble-shooting a problem. For example, maybe a CHECK ENGINE light. They usually quote a diagnostic fee for such work then give a quote for work.

If I get an oil change, I don't expect to pay more than was quoted..."oh, turns out you needed a filter, too." Same with a tune up...fixed work defined price.

They quoted a fixed price for a stated problem. It isn't up to me to know if they know or not...it's up to THEM to make it clear up front what is what.

two types of quotes..FIXED or a quote for diagnostic work.

If they had said to me...we will put in freon and it may or may not fix your problem but either way you pay $250...I would have said no and taken it somewhere else.

lol...I have handled several cases in court on my own and won every one. I know enough about the law to take care of my own issues.

I didn't read your entire post...stopped after $250 being cheap. If you read any of the other posters comments they were critical of spending $250 on a freon recharge when you can do it yourself for $20. I didn't know if the freon was low...the jeep was going in for a safety recall and I told them to change the oil and check the brakes. I also told them about the a/c problem. They quoted a fixed price on all of the items, including the a/c.

A written summary of work with the charges printed out constitutes a contract. Nothing about "as long as its a freon problem". Res of the work was done correctly and they charged what they said they would.

I am not concerned about winning the case and the money isn't really the issue as I stated earlier.