6x6 what are you really complaining about here? It doesn't sound like you were ripped off, you paid a fair price for a set of needed repairs. Maybe Auburn (or the independent repair guy they sometimes use) should have called you prior to doing non warranty work, but that would have been best discussed with them, not slagging them here. If Auburn is guilty of anything it sounds like not anticipating you would be so prickly about a nominal repair bill.

Most guys I know who can afford electric downriggers and to fish enough to wear out parts are happy to pay a reasonable repair bill to get back on the water in a timely way. Maybe they went the extra step of proactively replacing those parts because you brought in a obviously well used DR and they thought you'd be REASONABLE and appreciate getting those things taken care of during this very busy time of year.

I needed a 72hr turn around on my last service issue with a 1106 DR. Turns out I didnt have my DR registered so Auburn went the extra mile to research with Scotty that I was the original owner and completed my repairs in less then 24 hrs.

Hopefully you'll do yourself a favor and either retract your claim of being ripped off, or substantiate how you were and what Auburn's response was when you raised the issue with them.