Re: It won't start by inself, Part III

[Autobahn01@aol.com]

In a message dated 96-05-06 19:47:44 EDT, gregsj@mail.imm.com writes:

> The bad news is my new mechanic claims it will take about 
>$300 in labor (@$50 p/h) to remove the switch, fix it and reinstall it.
>He claims he's never seen this problem before which means they are 
>doing this repair for the first time. Six hours sounds a bit excessive
>to me. Is there a rate book that sets how long this repair should
>take? Have any of you had this done or done it? If so, what did it
>take? TIA for your advice and counsel. 
>
>Update - I called the local Audi dealer today and they quoted 2.1 hours
>to do the job, citing Chilton. Anyone else out there have any experiences. 
>TIA for your collective help. I have to negotiate with my mechanic tomorrow.

>Greg

If a dealer quoted you 2.1hrs then that's all you should be paying. The
question then, is whether your shop is working on the flat-rate scale or on
an hourly basis. The fact that your mechanic said he's doing this repair for
the first time is irrelevant in a flat-rate evironment. The system is
designed so the tech "loses" the first time through the repair and then gains
knowledge/tricks to "gain" next time 'round. I'm not a fan of flat-rate, BTW.
Stick to your guns and quote Chilton's/Motor/AoA book times. Mechanics have
some leeway on complicated jobs, but this one sounds like a simple R&R to
me...


Hope this helps,
-Chris Semple
autobahn01@aol.com
Concord, NH
     '87 4000csq
          '84 4000sq
               '83 TQC