grand theft auto(repair) was Clutch Replacement 90CQ

[Mike Sylvester <Mike.Sylvester@aptis.com>]

IMO this is a load of crap.  People would not have a problem buying the 
parts through the repair shop if the shop didn't feel that they have to get
a 50% markup.  The shop wants to make a killing on the parts and not the 
labor so that it appears to the customer that parts distributor is making 
all of the profit.  If a customer has their own parts, you should quote them
on the 
labor to install them.  Period.  What if someone wanted to buy parts from
you but install them on their own?  Would you refuse?  Would you charge
them extra because you did not get the labor?  As far as the Warrantee,
you guarantee your labor and the manufacturer guarantees the parts.
If the part was defective and needs to be reinstalled the customer will 
have to pay it and try to get reimbursed from the part manufacturer 
(not likely). This is the risk the customer takes if they go this route.


There are too many games being played.  And that goes for the flat rate
system also.  It amazes me when a shop will quote a flat rate price for
a job and then try to come back later and say, "Sorry, Mr. Soandso, but
there
were rusted bolts so we need to charge you an extra hour labor."  Bulls**t.
Flat rate is flat rate.  Some jobs go well and some go bad but it should
average
to the flat rate time.  It's funny.  Why have I never heard of a shop
saying, 
"Great news Mr. Soandso, the 4 hour job that we quoted you only took us
3 hours.  The bill will be $50 less"  And let me tell you, I worked as a
mechanic 
for a number of  years and the good mechanics beat the flat rate time almost

every time.  Sorry, if I am letting out any secrets.

Does that mean when you get a below average mechanic you pay more
because they can't do the job as quickly?

For these reasons I don't bring my cars anywhere.  Unfortunately many people
don't have the time or knowledge to fix everything themselves.


Mike Sylvester
94 100CS Q
86 5KCS TQ
84 4KS Q

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	John Larson [SMTP:jdlarson@ix.netcom.com]
> Sent:	Tuesday, March 16, 1999 10:53 AM
> To:	kyle@clover.net
> Cc:	Audi Quattro List; Audi 20v List
> Subject:	Re: Clutch Replacement 90CQ
> 
> You've probably seen the sign asking if you would bring your own bacon and
> eggs
> to a restaurant and have them cook your breakfast. Looking for a shop to
> install
> your parts may prove difficult. I, for one, would never give a great labor
> deal
> under those circumstances as a percentage of my profit comes from the
> markup on
> the parts. A shop needs the profit from the sale of parts to make it in
> this day
> and age, and the labor on a job like this would have to go up 20 to 30%.
> Facts
> of life in the business, if you want to survive. And, when it comes time
> to
> warranty the unusual/freak parts failure, who are you gonna turn to? IMHO,
> buying the parts first and then looking for a shop to install them is
> shooting
> yourself in the foot.
> 
> John
> 
> Kyle D. Ledford wrote:
> 
> > Does anyone know a a good shop in the general Central Ohio Area that can
> and
> > is willing to put a new clutch in my car? I have been to two of the more
> > reputable Audi Mech..s in this area, one does not want to try and the
> other
> > has labor charges higher than the dealer.... I will have the Sachs kit
> > (disc, plate, throwout bearing) I need someone to put it in. I am about
> to
> > resort to calling other local transmission shops to inquire if they
> would do
> > it. I have heard of some questionable practices with dealers (Byers) and
> I
> > prefer not to deal with MAG (Midwestern Auto Group) after my previous
> Audi
> > had an estimate of $1050.00 and the total bill turned out to be
> $4430.00. So
> > I need to find a good place to get this done.
> >
> > Kyle
> > 90 90CQ
> 
>