Do mechanics significantly over charge for the time to change a part?

[Industrial Toys]

I'm always in awe about the specialized tools my mechanics have, and the cost of them. The owner is a long time family friend and customer. I once complained about a bill where they charged me to rotate tires while doing a complete brake job. I guess the mechanic put down that he rotated the tires and the girl in the office charged for it. I will never forget, my friend saying, yup, it all adds up and handing the bill back to me.

 

[4570Man]

. You may even gotten the diagnosis as a bonus.

No I’d already figured it out myself. It took me a while to figure out the source of the leak. The master cylinder only holds about 2 tablespoons of fluid and it was taking weeks to loose it and I couldn’t find any oil. Eventually it started leaking in the floorboard of the truck so I figured it out then. I guess it was leaking in the truck the whole time and the insulation absorbed it.

 

[Jim Nelson]

Several years ago I had a B7200 Kubota and the throw out bearing seized up . I went by the Kubota dealer to get an estimate and the first thing the service manager asked was if the tractor had a loader,I told him it did but it was a quick attach type and I would remove it before bringing it in.Without looking at a flat rate book or anything else he said "it will be $1200 to get into it and then time and materials after that". I said thanks and walked over to the parts counter and bought the bearing for $20 or $25 and went home and got busy. I finished it that afternoon with no problems and no help.

I know every situation is different but I'm thinking that shop mgr. cost the dealership a lot of money.

The guy wasn't there the next time I was there to buy a new tractor .

 

[ovrszd]

No I’d already figured it out myself. It took me a while to figure out the source of the leak. The master cylinder only holds about 2 tablespoons of fluid and it was taking weeks to loose it and I couldn’t find any oil. Eventually it started leaking in the floorboard of the truck so I figured it out then. I guess it was leaking in the truck the whole time and the insulation absorbed it.

Did you count this diag time in your hour to replace it?

 

[4570Man]

Did you count this diag time in your hour to replace it?

I’d have to scrap the truck if I did since I’ve drove it like that since May. I didn’t ask them to make the clutch stop leaking. I asked them to change the master cylinder. That’s 2 completely different things.

 

[ovrszd]

I’d have to scrap the truck if I did since I’ve drove it like that since May. I didn’t ask them to make the clutch stop leaking. I asked them to change the master cylinder. That’s 2 completely different things.

Yep. I think you should continue to do your own repairs. It's evident they were gonna rip you off.

 

[Clint S]

Flat rate is why the guys fight over the "gravy'' work. X job pays 2 hours and you get it done in 1 its ''gravy''. Brakes are in that category. I know my buddy had to punch in and punch out on jobs even if he went to the parts counter or bathroom so they could keep track of actual time vs time actually spent working on the vehicle

 

[Jstpssng]

fried1765 - I did not. MasterCard was just GREAT in this "adventure". They held off paying this $115 bill until they received sufficient justification from the company. They never heard as much as a squeak. They did not pay this additional bill.

Did you get an estimate, or a quote? the first is just what it implies, based on the shop's previous experience. If it takes longer you pay more; if it takes less time your bill should be lower. a quote is written as such, and should be exactly as stated.
Credit card disputes can be a double edged sword. If it's a legitimate dispute than the shop should indeed pay. Sometimes it's easier/cheaper just to eat the cost, and pass it on to the next 115 customers.

No I’d already figured it out myself. It took me a while to figure out the source of the leak. The master cylinder only holds about 2 tablespoons of fluid and it was taking weeks to loose it and I couldn’t find any oil. Eventually it started leaking in the floorboard of the truck so I figured it out then. I guess it was leaking in the truck the whole time and the insulation absorbed it.

That doesn't mean squat to a reputable garage, unless you do enough business with them so that they are familiar with your diagnostic abilities. Case in point; an acquaintance dragged his truck to the local garage with a chain and told them that it needed a new fuel pump. They did the repair as instructed, but the truck still didn't run. After doing another test- turning the key on and looking at the fuel gauge- they realized that he was simply out of gas.

 

[buck12]

One of the jobs I had working my way through college was for an independent mechanic. He typically had 3 to 5 mechanics in his shop. He is a good guy and charges fair prices. He is not cheap but much better than a dealer. I always prefer to use independent mechanics over auto and tractor dealers. Their overhead is less and I can speak directly to the one doing the work not a service manager. I have a friend who is a former JD technician he has a service truck and will come to my house. His prices are more than fair and he knows his stuff. There are still good mechanics out there who charge fair prices.

 

[4570Man]

Yep. I think you should continue to do your own repairs. It's evident they were gonna rip you off.

You’re probably right and I probably will but I don’t recall saying that.