Oh yeah, and I paid over double what anyone's estimated so far... !!!!

 

Well, definitely you got screwed. I don't think I would wait until you got back to make first mention of this. I would give them a call and and let them know you are not happy and want to talk about this as soon as you get back or maybe e-mail your friend that took the car in have them tell the shop you will be by.

Did they not provide some type of estimate on the cost?

 

Maybe you should get a quote BEFORE having them perform the labor.

 

I would say $300-$400 ish?

 

lol...reminds me of the time my friends wife said the car was overheating. So she pulled into a dealership nearby.

they told her their wasnt any water. all they did was add water and antifreeze.
80 dollars later she was on her way...hahaha