HEllo- I am a relative novice to maintaining my own car, separated after 19 years and suddenly in charge of a lot of decisions.

I own a 93 960 wagon and it was showing uneven tire wear and pulling to the right. Today, to save some $$ I went to a national chain-type shop instead of my regular volvo mechanic for an oil change, tire balance and alignment. The price was a great with a coupon.

As it turns out, they told me AFTER they finished the work, including the alignment, that I need a new front tie rod end for $200 and then I will need to get the car realigned for another $60 after that, and that it won't hold the alignment they just did without the repair. There must have been smoke coming out of my ears when the manager told me that.

My question, is this even remotely ethical for a shop to do... to do an alignment knowing that it won't hold due to a needed repair, not telling me this information before they do the alignment, and then charging me for it anyway. The most satisfaction I got out of them was that they would do the realignment "for free" if I go to them for the tie rod repair.

Of course, I am very reluctant to even set foot in that business again. Is $200 reasonable for that repair?

Thanks!