Am i being ripped off? £300 garage charges

So basically. i took the car out for a run to get the water through the system to drain it, getting rid of any gunk.

On my way back, it was running fine until it stalled going up a slight incline. i had  bit of a look to see if it was anything easy to get too or loose wire etc. the fuel pump relay was making a bit of a funny noise when it was turning over, at this point a cabby went past, offered help, thanks guy . and ended up trying a new relay to no avail. so i used the 17/19 relay to put the pump on constant to see if it would help. But still couldn't get it working. anyway then started the trip to a local VW 'Specialist, garage.

so here it is. i got there and he said he would have a quick look that day so he called me back later saying it was the fuel pump and he had damaged one of the injectors when trying to remove the pipe, so i would need a new injector as well. i understand this happens i have done it my self once or twice, screws and bolts mainly, not a £70 quid injector. so he says he can do it next week some time (as this week) so ok i ring him monday morning and he says right i have had a go and i still can't get pressure it turns out the fuel was empty. even though there was just below 1/4 tank when it stopped. rang me back at the end of the day and has quoted me £300 4 1/2 hours work. and he has only changed the pump, he said he checked compression spark plugs and various other things that i felt were unnessesary.
Now am i being really tight or is this guy taking the mick!!!
before i go stomping down i would just appreciate some advice
Thanks in advance
 

Well, you didn't say if it was a CIS or Digi car. In 84.5 VW started to use 2 fuel pumps, one in tank, usually 50 dollars, and one external, depends on the injection system how much it costs.

If your tank was at 1/4 and your main pump was whining, (high pitched noise) then you have either low gas, or a in-tank pump that was bad, (sometimes it is the pump to sender connection hose.) The main pump will squeal because it has to over work.  No fuel to the mains SUMP or filter, no engine.

At 1/4 tank, you have half of the in-tank pump uncovered, and it is using the fuel to keep the pump cool.  If the pump over heats enough then it can stop, and depending on how it stops it can prevent fuel from getting to the main pumps sump.  If the connect hose is holed or broken, then you may stop at any time.

Now 300 seems like a lot for nothing more than a low tank, (should investigate your fuel gauge).  But you have to remember that he has time invested.  Here in the States they usually go for 100/hour.  Now if that is 70 for the injector, and then a few liters of gas, then he has about 2 hours wrapped in it, so all in all 300 isn't that bad.

Now here is the sad part.  These little Critters are old, wiring nightmares, parts getting costly, and not as plentiful.   Owing them becomes costly when you have to "shop" it out.  

Buying a Bentley and getting to know it from cover-to-cover, and investing in a few tools, goes a really long way to easing your pocketbook.  I had it easy, I learned on AH "bugeye" sprites, and MG's, Spitfires, Rovers and such.  They were "older" then Ancient Now, and not many places sold parts.  So we learned…. Not just to save monies, but to save downtime as well.

The Cabbies I have are both drivable, and maintained by me.  I have the cheapest rates around, and I know my work isn't Nickered or Mick'ed to death…Why, because my Children or Wife drive them and I value them more than I.  

If you own one of these critters you either need a wellspring of monies, and a Mechanic you can trust. Or start reading, learning, and maintaining…..

If your Pump was whining then I would suggest for the next couple of tanks of gas, to use about 1/2 pint of Marvel Mystery Oil in the tank to clean any varnish created in the system.  

As above.
And yes I'd expect them to check plugs and leads as part of checks. You can off set any big bills by doing some of the smaller stuff if you're that way inclined.
Parts aren't cheap you can do the other way and supply parts just pay labour. But as you said broke down and so don't have much choice. Only 2 weeks ago my mk2 did similar and I know I'm gonna be stung..1 for towing 200metres.yes really expect a bill. 2. Investigation works. 3. Fitting my swap in parts.4. Supplying parts to fit. And then to top it I've said fit new timing belts  so I'm looking in my mind at 6 -7 hundred. And that's after I've supplied distributor , ignition module, timing kit.

Most places charge between £35 and £50 quid an hour for labour, specialists may charge even more, Franchise Dealerships are up around £150 an hour.

I understand that he's said he's done stuff you consider 'not needed' but if you'd got it back and the timing was out and then that needed doing you'd be a bit miffed that he didn't do it  while it was there.

TBH if that price includes the injector and VAT I'd rip his arm off, say thanks and leave a happy man.

It sounds like a lot, especially on car worth only a couple of grand, but you have to weigh up labour, VAT  and parts.  

thanks for the advice guys. i will be picking it up tomorrow. he says he has done a lot of work on it and i can undeerstand. but one of the injectors and hoses has been damaged in the process. In my eyes this is something that should have been replaced when damaged. but i may have to take the fall on it.

Briano yes sorry it is a CIS 1987 cabby 1.8 gti. i have been doing most of the work i can, but lack of the proper set up, and knowledge,for measuring pressures etc has scared me off the injection system until i can get a more indepth go at it. i have been learning as i go on this, i should have really just got stuck in

Kenneth Cartwright said

As above.
And yes I'd expect them to check plugs and leads as part of checks. You can off set any big bills by doing some of the smaller stuff if you're that way inclined.
Parts aren't cheap you can do the other way and supply parts just pay labour. But as you said broke down and so don't have much choice. Only 2 weeks ago my mk2 did similar and I know I'm gonna be stung..1 for towing 200metres.yes really expect a bill. 2. Investigation works. 3. Fitting my swap in parts.4. Supplying parts to fit. And then to top it I've said fit new timing belts  so I'm looking in my mind at 6 -7 hundred. And that's after I've supplied distributor , ignition module, timing kit.

yeh it makes sense now when i am not panicking and he explained it to me.
i made a decision when i bought the car as a project to invest in the highest level of recovery cover. glad i did now. i have had it in the past. good luck with it though