La Paz Service Center review: Automotive repair over charge

On Oct. 11 2023 when I started my 2001 Toyota Tundra it was running really rough like one of the sparkplug wires got pulled off accidently. So I got a recommendation from another source to take it to Lapaz Service Center on Aliso Creek Road in Aliso Viejo. They looked at the truck and told me that one of the coils for cylinder #5 was “Burned out”, and need to be replaced. The repair fee would come to $540. 24. Not knowing what a cylinder coil was to begin with, if I wanted to continue to use my truck for work the next day, I had to authorize the repair.

I paid the full fee of $540.24 that I authorized by a form I signed. Too bad I had not investigated “How to replace a coil on a 2001 Tundra truck” Youtube video, because I watched a mechanic replace that same coil (costing $27 from Amazon), on the same year make and model truck and he did it in 5 minutes using only a socket wrench.

They charged me $325 LABOR to do this 5 minute operation along with removing the “Check Engine” light, (which I did earlier this year, with my hand held vehicle computer taking 5 minutes). They replaced the sparkplugs must have taken a half hour) which I never asked them to do. So I was charge $199 for a part costing

$27, and $325 labor for a one hour job.

Bottom line I got “Hosed” royally! Was it my fault... yes, for not checking with other sources first, but common

People, how do you sleep at night?