Yes, that labor rate seems a bit high. America is still (more or less) under a capitalistic economic system. Next time, take your vehicle somewhere else. For now, I think you're stuck.
VENTING!!! Rip-off Labor rates!
- Thread starter Colorado Yeti
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The key is and always has been, did not get labor quote before the work was approved.
CocobrownLT
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Called a shop that the old man has used in the past to get an estimate for a neighbors jeep. I didn’t have the time and work schedule isn’t great so I suggested this shop to him. Shop says we can do the work but the thermostat housing is on national backorder and no parts stores in the area have one. Was told if I can find one from the dealer they won’t charge more for labor. Awesome I call a few dealers and find one I grab it and call the shop up. Same person I spoke to says okay bring it by but there’s no warranty on the work since you’re supplying the parts. Responded with you told me to call the dealer and find the part since you can’t. Response that’s our policy. Okay never mind I’ll do the work myself then bye.
I have a shop with 6 techs. Tech labor rates anymore are crazy. In my market, some techs at a high end dealer with 6 years of experence are making $130K. Double plus what they were a few years ago. Add to that my lease went up 70% this year. It costs me stupid money for getting rid of every spray can, mop water, used oil, antifreeze etc (all monitored and hazardous waste). Alignment racks are now well over $100K. Dignostic tools are $$$$Ks and require yearly maintenance contracts. Our tire machine was over $30K. And to that is a business has a blended profit model. So a customer proving their own parts lowers my margin. Guess what that does? Drives up my labor rate. And then the warranty for the part is on the customer. Yes there are crooks around, and a lot of shops barely make a profit. If you don't want to pay the dealer for the job, do it yourself, buy the part and then you can only blame yourself if it doesn't work.
What part of the country is your shop in?
Mean_Green
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This is all well and good, but there is a point (don't ask me what that is) where you're cutting your own throat. Some people simply cannot afford repairs as today's prices. You turn away business from people who may need it the most. People who may not be physically able to do the work, or do not have the tools, equipment or know-how. This is in part why there are so many junk, less than safe cars on the road.
I don't know what the answer is, but I know things cannot continue the way they are. Some people may literally become housebound because they can't afford repairs and they can't afford new, and in rural areas, there are few, if any options for transportation. We have one that covers a few counties, but their rates are over a dollar a mile and they need to be booked several days ahead of time.
I don't know what the answer is, but I know things cannot continue the way they are. Some people may literally become housebound because they can't afford repairs and they can't afford new, and in rural areas, there are few, if any options for transportation. We have one that covers a few counties, but their rates are over a dollar a mile and they need to be booked several days ahead of time.
There is typically a shop or two in town that will work with vehicle owners in need of mechanical work and cannot afford the high fees. I do that for my local American Legion and VFW. If the owner asks around ahead of time and plans, it can likely get taken care of. I know there are a couple of churches in my area that help with things like that as well. I will say this though. People that have those money problems, I see them at the military halls I belong to, tend to also be drinkers that imbibe every day and are also smokers of both legal and non legal stuff. I cut them no slack. I have also said here, many times, every vehicle owner needs to have a vehicle savings account that they put money in to every week or two. But yes, thankfully, I can do lots of my own work.
ricwrench
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I have been on both sides of this issue. 2 bay gas station, me as the wrench. Way back when (1974ish). Customer parts included no warranty, never. Self-protection from return issues. With quality issues rampant these days, I certainly would not warranty any part I don't source myself. Shop costs are crazy, I will insure myself and go "mobile mechanic", specializing in diagnostics, only "light repairs" when I retire from machining ( very soon). Small engine repair has been blowing up in my area. Great opportunity for a competent wrenchman. Less "wtf?" issues than cars. That's my take. Happy wrenching! R
When I had a shop I was in business to make money so I could afford to live indoors and feed my family. There were a lot of things I couldn't afford, still are. I wasn't a ministry or looking to do volunteer work with my business. Yes it sounds cold and cruel, but no one was going to come feed me and let me live in their house when I got old and couldn't do the work any longer.
There's an issue I didn't even address in my first post about the realities of owning a shop. Human bodies are easily worn out by doing repetitive physical labor. I remember as a teen working in a local shop how the owner who was older was constantly in pain, especially his wrists and hands. I can sit here now at a computer in pain just from moving a mouse and tell you exactly why. My back is shot, my knees are bad, my shoulders ache and my wrists and hands hurt.
