Price Check For Mechanic Work

[Travis_R]

The fool never contacted me back. I gave him all the info he needed & could have had the job. Hate when people post ads looking for work then don't get back with you. His loss.

 

[bigtiller]

Maybe the mileage thing gave him second thoughts. It does seam odd for the need to hire a mechanic that is 103 miles away.

 

[Travis_R]

I was looking for somebody to fix my tractor and I found his ad. I told him how far away it was and he said he didn't have a problem with that. He knew where I was located. Then I gave him all the information he asked for. I waited on him to call back and never did. That is what pis*ed me off. If he didn't want the job he should have at least contacted me and not left me hanging. He also could have simply sent a text if he wanted.
Since then I have found somebody locally. So I guess it's a win win situation for both of us.
Hopefully that new seal kit will fix the problem with the steering. We will see this week.

 

[RickB]

If all you can get from a repair shop is the labor/hr then you are most likely getting screwed imao. The best method to accurately compare prices between shops is to get a total quote on the whole repair. Tell them you don't care if they are $70/hr or $150/hr just give me a quote on the job... 1 figure only. Only quoting the labor rate not combined with total amount of hours needed is a terribly dishonest practice mastered by many a repair shop to advertise a "lower rate" than their competitors.

That's great. Except most shops don't quote jobs like that unless it is at the worst case for time. And they won't care if you don't like it.

 

[RickB]

I would charge my normal hourly rate for travel. Is there a compelling reason to use someone so far away? Someone local even if more costly per hour will be cheaper.

You have to charge the normal labor rate for travel. You gave up work at that rate for windshield time. It's called opportunity cost.

Wouldn't surprise me if the repair guy picked up something in the conversation that turned him off. I'd be suspicious of somebody calling me from 100 miles away to do something that (presumably) somebody closer could do if they wanted to work for the guy. We get one side of the story; complete with name calling. Sometimes the best deals made are the ones you don't.

 

[Travis_R]

You have to charge the normal labor rate for travel. You gave up work at that rate for windshield time. It's called opportunity cost.

Wouldn't surprise me if the repair guy picked up something in the conversation that turned him off. I'd be suspicious of somebody calling me from 100 miles away to do something that (presumably) somebody closer could do if they wanted to work for the guy. We get one side of the story; complete with name calling. Sometimes the best deals made are the ones you don't.

I most definitely would have someone locally do any mechanic work, or any other work. BUT. I do not know anybody who rebuilds power steering pumps. Just happened to find a local shade tree mechanic who will do it. And I know he will be able to.

The fellow that was miles away had an ad on craigslist in MY AREA, knowing where he was located. I think he was just somebody who does this as a side job/hobby or something. Not actually in business to do it.
Regardless, he should have contacted me back. I will not use him nor will I recommend him because of this.
Hey, can you blame me?

 

[N80]

I have no patience for people who advertise their services and won't get back with me on estimates or followups. No problem if they don't want the job. No problem if their rates are too high for me. Just don't tell me you want the job or want to give an estimate and then fail to get back with me or return calls. A simple "I don't want the job" or "I don't have time for the job" will be fine. But, when a contractor, etc blows me off and doesn't follow up he will get bad reviews from me every time and at every opportunity.