(quoted from post at 07:10:25 06/30/13)
(quoted from post at 11:59:20 06/30/13) My "resolution" is to simply pay the bill. Merely asking a few opinions - that is what the forum is all about?
I can understand needing more information but is a forum with fellows that have never seen your mower the place to ask first????
Would not the repair shop/dealer that actually did the work maybe a better place to ask???
I have not replaced the hydro dive belt on a CUB Cadet but I have done a lot of them on JD lawn mowers. You have to remove the mower deck, the rear fender deck, on some models the electric deck clutch ( drive belt above it and belt threaded through the clutch mounting bracket), Then you have to remove one of the tightener idlers to thread the belt through the tightener, then loosen the belt guides around the hydro drive pulley. Then you reverse the whole thing. So if everything went perfect it would take and 1-1 1/2 hours. Any trouble doing any of the other stuff and it could easily take longer.
All I am saying give the benefit of doubt to the fellow that actually did the work. YOUR tone in the post makes it CLEAR you think the dealer over charged you. So it would seem you would rather be mad about it rather than asked and find out what work was done.
Also think about what it costs to keep the doors open on a business. Many on here complain about the cost of dealership repairs and parts but then in the next post complain about there not being many dealers left so they can buy their parts locally. To be blunt. Even if the dealer made a $100 profit on your repair he would be hard pressed to keep his doors open repairing lawn tractors only. The only guy that can do it cheaper ,and still stay in business, is a one man shop that is semi retired and just looking for pocket money.