Ford Repair: Coolant system trouble/price seems high, radiator coolant, coolant system

Question
I took my 93' Ford Probe GT to a mechanic after it overheated. As I suspected there was a blown hose. So while he was in there he recommended changing all the coolant hoses, the thermostat & gasket, flush & refill the radiator coolant and replacing the a/c belt and the water pump. Since I'm not a Count or a Duke or a recent lottery winner, I said yes to everything but the water pump. The total of $584.00 still seemed kinda high to me. So I see it start to overheat as I'm driving home so I take it back. The shop is closed so I leave my car and walk home. They called today and said it was a faulty clamp that caused the leak and also said I needed a new water pump & timing belt & an adaptor for the new style of pump, since they don't make the old one anymore. So now its thursday, he has to order parts and says it will be monday at the earliest. The new cost for this work is over $700.00! OUCHH! Now I'm not mechanically savvy, thats why I took it to a mechanic. My problem is really the price tag. I looked up the cost of the high end items he had to use on expressautoparts.com heres the list I came up with :
thermostat $5.53
water pump pulley pilot dia. 32mm; gt list $72.44
water pump gasket $8.86
lower hose $6.94
upper hose $7.84
pre-heater hose $12.76
gat (gasket) GT $0.38
timing belt $63.29
The items I have listed here were the most expensive for each part and the total only comes to $246.87. Now I know there is still labor to consider but that still seems like a huge difference. Esecially given the fact that this list is comprised of parts from the previous and the pending repair. What do YOU think Steve, am I being charged to much? Should I (as tactfully as possible)offer to have the parts shipped to the shop? Am I getting a fair deal and I sould just bite my tongue? should I shop around? That last one is a no brainer but I was on the side of the freeway letting it cool down and his shop was the closest so thats were I landed. Any advice and or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanx for your time, knowledge and experience. take care    David Schenck.

Answer
Mr. Schenck,

First of all, they do still make the old water pump for your vehicle. And there is no need to change the timing belt for an over heating problem. That whole job with parts and labor at $60 dollars/hr should be no more than $325.00 not counting tax. I definitely feel that you are being taken to the cleaners on this repair job. I would suggest that you ask for a reduced rate on this bill and if they refuse to work with you, you should report them to the Better Business Bureau or the proper local authorities for fraudulent repairs and charges. I would also suggest that you start shopping for a reputable automotive repair shop to use in the future. Hope that this helps and good luck.


Ken