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

[K5lwq]

The only thing I would have done different, if it was my shop, is tell you that I would not do the master without doing the slave at the same time. The slave cylinder will be going out sooner than later and if I just did the master, somehow the slave failure would be my fault. Been down that road way to many times!

 

[Jstpssng]

The only thing I would have done different, if it was my shop, is tell you that I would not do the master without doing the slave at the same time. The slave cylinder will be going out sooner than later and if I just did the master, somehow the slave failure would be my fault. Been down that road way to many times!

The really ironic thing is that the OP is also an independent in the service industry, so should have some clue what it's like.

 

[4570Man]

The really ironic thing is that the OP is also an independent in the service industry, so should have some clue what it's like.

Which part? I’ve never bid a job by the hour and billed more hours than it actually took. Now quoting based on estimated hours, I do that all the time. I refrain from doing jobs but the hour for this exact reason. I never said he was trying to rip me off at $120. I said changing a clutch master cylinder won’t take a professional 1.5 hours.

 

[tjkubota93]

He probably looked in the motor manual, found r+r and bleed master cyl and slave cyl. It doesn't list everything, probably figured it was close enough.

ALOT (maybe even most) of people in that industry are significantly undereducated and/or under experienced to the point they don't even know they are doing something wrong. It doesn't pay enough to attract or keep truly good people.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

In my vast experience you are more apt to get ripped off by a Dealer shop than an independent shop where you know the people. My Kubota dealer quotes $500 to replace the $12 fan on the BX transmission. Their labor rate is $125/hr. I did not want to spend my time doing it after I bought the fan to do so. Went to my independent auto shop I have work on my vehicles. Their labor rate is $80/hr. They said sure, bring it in and a copy of the WSM pages describing the work. The job is more about removing and replacing all the stuff in the way than actual mechanic work. They had never seen a BX before. They did the job for $250. Said after word that is was not that hard just tedious. The actual part replacement time was 1/2 hour after they could get to it.

That is why I have them do my work and recommend them to others. Folks are always thanking me for steering them to my guys. They did say, if it takes special tools, you have to buy them. I buy the parts one we know what is needed. We work together to get the job done. No hassell about insurance co not allowing customers in the shop. I have always believed that is just how the keep you out. Too many belligerents to mess with is a better reason.

Ron

 

[4570Man]

He probably looked in the motor manual, found r+r and bleed master cyl and slave cyl. It doesn't list everything, probably figured it was close enough.

ALOT (maybe even most) of people in that industry are significantly undereducated and/or under experienced to the point they don't even know they are doing something wrong. It doesn't pay enough to attract or keep truly good people.

I agree 100 percent. I see ridiculous work by claimed professionals all the time. But this is a pretty simple repair. And he’s done them before because I saw some in the scrap bin. For the cylinder itself it’s easily accessible with only 2 bolts holding it on. There’s a roll pin holding the line in the bottom which is the only headache of the thing. Then there’s a rod that clips on the clutch pedal. Once I came to the conclusion that bleeding it using the bleeder screw was hopeless and moved on to vacuum bleeding it took only minutes.

 

[goeduck]

In my vast experience you are more apt to get ripped off by a Dealer shop than an independent shop where you know the people. My Kubota dealer quotes $500 to replace the $12 fan on the BX transmission. Their labor rate is $125/hr. I did not want to spend my time doing it after I bought the fan to do so. Went to my independent auto shop I have work on my vehicles. Their labor rate is $80/hr. They said sure, bring it in and a copy of the WSM pages describing the work. The job is more about removing and replacing all the stuff in the way than actual mechanic work. They had never seen a BX before. They did the job for $250. Said after word that is was not that hard just tedious. The actual part replacement time was 1/2 hour after they could get to it.

That is why I have them do my work and recommend them to others. Folks are always thanking me for steering them to my guys. They did say, if it takes special tools, you have to buy them. I buy the parts one we know what is needed. We work together to get the job done. No hassell about insurance co not allowing customers in the shop. I have always believed that is just how the keep you out. Too many belligerents to mess with is a better reason.

Ron

Could you share the name of the shop? Or PM me if you prefer. Thank you.

 

[two_bit_score]

I had a friend that worked as a mechanic for a local Ford dealer ... some years ago.

His jobs were quoted from Ford rate tables that specified labor hours for everything you can imagine. He made his money by beating the tables. His pay was based on labor hrs quoted for his jobs, not clock hours. A good mechanic could make a lot of extra money.

Any mechanic who can’t beat the flat rate won’t be a mechanic long. They will be made a service writer.

 

[Rmart30]

Not a unfair quote from a shop . It was probably quoted from book rate. In that cost they have to cover someone writing up the ticket, ordering the part, picking up the part, installing the part, and then test driving it. Then someone has to take payment and close ticket. They have a building, utilities and insurance to cover.

Not to mention having to pay the mechanic his wages to install it.
What other "job" requires the employee to purchase on average $20-50k+ in things to do their job with?

 

[two_bit_score]

Auto mechanics is not the only trade or profession where the tradesman or professional furnishes their own tools. But the average mechanic does make a substantial investment compared to the return.