Repair expectations - help ?

[Ice Cat ^. .^ ~]

Dave C. wrote:

>It seems like taking a car into a shop, even a reputable shop, always costs
>at least $300 and if the bill is for less than that I feel like I got off
>easy.  This observation is based on limited experience since I do most of
>my own work. I suppose it isn't worth it to talk to a customer, write up a
>work order, put the car on a lift, etc, unless they can get a half day
>labor out of it.  Even if there's nothing wrong with the car I expect they
>will try to find $300 worth of something to charge for, including the
>inflated parts prices that get rolled into the bill.

Well I am from Minneapolis and I have been to a couple of shops
during the past who charged reasonable amounts, were honest, and also
competent.

Reasonable, Honest, Competent.   that is all I ask . . . suck a
little thing      ;-)

It is very difficult coming into an area when one is new and finding
a decent garage.

Let's see, they have say 3 stalls, altho I didn't see the shop.
at $300 for each .5 - 1.0 hour job, plus 200 % on parts.
(I don't mind a reasonable markup on parts.)

Let's see that is a bit above mechanic rate book prices and at 3
stalls x 8 hours a day = 24 x $300 =
$7200 for one days income if they are busy and at the end of a week =
$36,000 and a mere month =
$154,800.

No wonder they are driving brand new BMW sports car and I am driving
a car over ten years old which I cannot afford to have them fix.
Also, I can see why someone who doesn't work on cars himself would
hire the best mechanics to work for him as this looks like a gravy
train to me.    ;-)


>They need to do this because they are a business with lots of
>overhead.  In the case at hand we
>see that replacing a $30 hose ends up costing almost $200, so according to
>my $300 rule of thumb this person got off easy.


A half hour and an $85 $30-hose should reasonably have cost me   .5
hour at $65 plus $85.   Did I get that right?


>Some people might object to the inflated prices charged for parts,

I have never objected to a shop marking prices up a reasonable
amount.   A $30-$50 hose for about $85 is about what most shops
charge. . . about double has been my experience.  I didn't think that
they got their electricity for free.

What I am appalled at is the attitude that I have no right for an
explanation for what they did with that frction over an hour of
diagnosis.

>but the shop counts on this
>profit along with the labor charge to pay all the costs of running a
>business.  The one thing that >really< would make me crazy is if a shop
>racks up a high bill by fixing things that aren't broken at all, and gives
>the car back with the same problem I took it in for.  At least the $200
>hose replacement was for a hose that actually needed replacement, and did
>(or would) presumably solve the customer's problem.
>
>I do think these prices are high, and that's why I do most of my own work.

As do we, but I have had good mechanics during the past, but it was
when I lived in Minneapolis.   Still looking for CT mechanic !

Thanks and take care,


Fay, the ice cat

89 Audi 200 Turbo non-Q
2.2 liter engine,
engine code MC, two knock sensors