Dave's Automotive Inc. Charged $386.00 to change a Thermostat that I told them needed to be changed. Valparaiso Indiana

I took my 2002 Dodge Ram to Dave's Automotive in Valparaiso, IN.  I asked them to change the thermostat as the temp gauge would not go above 150 degrees, undicating to even the casual observer that the thermostat was stuck open. The vehicle did not have any leaks. They had the vehicle for an entire day and wanted to keep it overnight and test drive it the next day. They called me and told me I needed new balljoints, tie rod ends, serpentine belt and belt tensioner. When I told them that I just had the ball joints (the complete assemblies on both sides) replaced less than two years ago, they walked it back and said they were only "marginal". I, again, told them to just change the thermostat and flush the system and asked for my truck back that same day.  I was Charged $386.00.  $215.60 for labor and $68.60 for cooling system analysis. I told /asked them to change the thermostat and flush the system, not to analyse it first and then change the thermostat. The rest of the cost was for parts, supplies and tax. I suspect, suspect only, that had I agreed to let them keep it overnight and then test drive it the next day the labor charge may have been even higher. What a Ripoff. Take your vehicle elsewhere.