Taken for a ride?!?

Took the 'Bird to the shop today to have the belt tensioer replaced, or so I thought. No, says the service guy, the tensioner isn't the problem, your belts are. He proceeds to quote me $200 for belt(s), labor, blah, blah blah. Granted, I know to repace belts per the recommended mileage, etc, but two hundred dollars? That's as much as I paid for the car at the auction.
Is this waaaaay out of line, as I suspect it is, or is there something inherent in the engine's layout that justifies the price?

Quote:

Took the 'Bird to the shop today to have the belt tensioer replaced, or so I thought. No, says the service guy, the tensioner isn't the problem, your belts are. He proceeds to quote me $200 for belt(s), labor, blah, blah blah. Granted, I know to repace belts per the recommended mileage, etc, but two hundred dollars? That's as much as I paid for the car at the auction. Is this waaaaay out of line, as I suspect it is, or is there something inherent in the engine's layout that justifies the price?

What year is your T-Bird?

Call up the local parts store and ask them how much it costs for a new belt for your Tbird. Installing belts is easy, I would highly recommend you take this opportunity to learn how to do it unless the mechanic already did it?