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Started By
Message
Auto mechanics - how much mark up on parts do you feel is fair market value nowadays?
Posted on 5/19/22 at 6:53 pm
Posted on 5/19/22 at 6:53 pm
Personal car repair at local auto repair shop I have been going to for a long time (changed ownership and last couple of services leaves me feeling robbed).
Current situation: 150% on parts only (excluding labor)
(alternator, pulleys, belts). Priced parts from multiple vendors after getting quote.
I appreciate these places need to make money, facing labor wage increases, etc.
150% on parts, c'mon
Current situation: 150% on parts only (excluding labor)
(alternator, pulleys, belts). Priced parts from multiple vendors after getting quote.
I appreciate these places need to make money, facing labor wage increases, etc.
150% on parts, c'mon
Posted on 5/19/22 at 6:59 pm to Turf Taint
Gross margins on auto parts should be high, otherwise who would make them? Inventories are a mile wide and an inch deep. Lots of SKUs
Posted on 5/19/22 at 7:03 pm to Turf Taint
Everything is crazy right now. I 'am seeing triple and quadruple price increases on raw materials (Steel and aluminum). I know its not car parts.
Posted on 5/19/22 at 7:03 pm to Strannix
quote:
Online bro
Then what? Bring the parts to a mechanic to install? I tried to do that once and was repeatedly denied by several mechanics. They insisted that they source the part. This was 10 years ago though.
Has that changed with the proliferation of online vendors?
Posted on 5/19/22 at 7:04 pm to DR93Berlin
quote:
Inventories are a mile wide and an inch deep
Like your mom’s vag?
Posted on 5/19/22 at 7:32 pm to Turf Taint
quote:
Current situation: 150% on parts only (excluding labor)
(alternator, pulleys, belts).
How do you know what his cost is on parts and how do you know how much he is marking them up?
Did you look up the exact part he bought or did you look up the china part on Amazon?
Posted on 5/19/22 at 7:34 pm to supadave3
In my experience mechanics don’t want to deal with customers who bring the wrong part, or the warranty issues, if one of those customer supplied parts is defective.
It’s easier and simpler for them to do all the ordering. They’re much less likely to make a mistake than a customer.
It’s easier and simpler for them to do all the ordering. They’re much less likely to make a mistake than a customer.
This post was edited on 5/19/22 at 9:45 pm
Posted on 5/19/22 at 7:40 pm to kengel2
quote:
How do you know what his cost is on parts and how do you know how much he is marking them up?
I always spec OE parts for any repair. For years I have seen indy shops price their parts for twice what I can buy them for online, the exact SKU. I don't see any reason the parts margin should increase but certainly understand how the labor rate should go up because you generally see that being where the overhead is along with "shop materials". However, it may just be the higher overhead and labor costs are being spread over labor and parts.
Posted on 5/19/22 at 7:43 pm to supadave3
quote:
Then what? Bring the parts to a mechanic to install? I tried to do that once and was repeatedly denied by several mechanics. They insisted that they source the part.
Because many customers will buy the cheapest POS parts then complain when they fail and want the shop to eat labor to repair.
Posted on 5/19/22 at 7:44 pm to Turf Taint
Just had the condenser changed on my wife’s Tahoe. The price the shop charged me was less than the price for me on O’Reilly’s website. I think shops get a discount. Granted the labor and “shop materials” were outrageous, but the part itself wasn’t bad.
Posted on 5/19/22 at 7:47 pm to Lima Whiskey
quote:
It’s easier and simpler for them to do all the ordering. They’re much less likely to make a mistake than a customer.
I don’t blame them. If someone is bringing their own parts, they’re already showing to be frugal so it’s quite possible that they bought the cheapest they could find. They mechanic could get down halfway through the job only to realize something doesn’t fit correctly. That would be a tough position for the mechanic.
Posted on 5/19/22 at 8:01 pm to kengel2
quote:
How do you know what his cost is?
Asked them source of part. Call same vendor and got quote cheaper by 150% than what is on invoice. Not hard.
Posted on 5/19/22 at 8:08 pm to Dragula
quote:
Because many customers will buy the cheapest POS parts then complain when they fail and want the shop to eat labor to repair.
It isn't just the potential for parts failure it is the fact that some cheap parts are PITA to work with. There are a lot of parts under the hood that require pretty tight tolerances to install easily and work properly and sometimes the price point manufacturers think it is good enough when it means 30 minutes or an hour of fricking around with a part to get it to fit.
Posted on 5/19/22 at 8:36 pm to Turf Taint
150% market compared to what parts?
Autozone?
Amazon?
eBay?
Those Asian muffler shops will sell you used parts off the salvaged cars they have in the back.
Just as good?
Right?
Autozone?
Amazon?
eBay?
Those Asian muffler shops will sell you used parts off the salvaged cars they have in the back.
Just as good?
Right?
Posted on 5/19/22 at 9:10 pm to SlickRickerz
A smart shop marks up parts and labor to make a profit. Parts can be from 30% on up depending on the shop and part.
As far as putting on parts that people bring in no way.
1) 1/2 the time they get cheap parts or the wrong part.
Then the mechanic eats labor scheduling a vehicle to put in the shop that is either missing parts or dealing with the wrong part.
2) Right now the quality across the board is poor on parts. Have to deal with a customer returning the part to get the right part.
3) Unless it a customer that stocks the parts for their equipment, and knows that these parts work on what a mechanic is servicing smart shops run from just providing labor.
4) Good mechanics that has work on the side, have a strong customer base, and do not have to deal with people that buy the parts.
5) All shops have dealt with that one customer who brought in parts the customer buys. The tech puts the parts in and the job can take up to 8 hours according to Mitchell1 or shop boss. Sometimes it goes into 9 hours due to problems. The part fails. Then the customer does not want to pay for the original service plus having to take the parts off, and putting in new parts.
The risk is not worth the money.
As far as putting on parts that people bring in no way.
1) 1/2 the time they get cheap parts or the wrong part.
Then the mechanic eats labor scheduling a vehicle to put in the shop that is either missing parts or dealing with the wrong part.
2) Right now the quality across the board is poor on parts. Have to deal with a customer returning the part to get the right part.
3) Unless it a customer that stocks the parts for their equipment, and knows that these parts work on what a mechanic is servicing smart shops run from just providing labor.
4) Good mechanics that has work on the side, have a strong customer base, and do not have to deal with people that buy the parts.
5) All shops have dealt with that one customer who brought in parts the customer buys. The tech puts the parts in and the job can take up to 8 hours according to Mitchell1 or shop boss. Sometimes it goes into 9 hours due to problems. The part fails. Then the customer does not want to pay for the original service plus having to take the parts off, and putting in new parts.
The risk is not worth the money.
This post was edited on 5/19/22 at 9:20 pm
Posted on 5/19/22 at 9:50 pm to Sgt_Stedenko
150% as comparing what I am being charged by auto repair shop and alternatively what price for part I was given by same vendor at same location for same part.
Posted on 5/20/22 at 2:50 am to Turf Taint
Fortunately for you you are free to go elsewhere.
Posted on 5/20/22 at 5:11 am to johnnyrocket
quote:
johnnyrocket
Everything you posted.
I will add some other things as well.
A lot depends on the cost of the said part(s).
Powertrain(engine, transmissions), usually 50-60% markup.
Electronic components: ECUs, ABS modules, TCUs, fuel injectors, wiring harnesses,...75-80%
With just this being said, 95% of folks who bring their vehicles in for a repair have NO IDEA of how much money it takes just to open the doors and maintain the daily operations of a repair shop.
I'll just list a few:
*Rent of the facilities
*Insurances: accidental/liability, workman comp, property damage(fires, theft...)
*Cost of equipment: lifts, air compressors, oil dispensing equipment, diagnostic software...
*Utilities: Electric bill, phone bills, internet access, water, sewer...
*Shop supplies.
*Labor costs: commissioned & salaried. Cost of benefits(insurance, vacations, holidays...)
*Unforeseen/unexpected expenses(break downs, wearing out of shop equipment...)
A shop has to recoup those expenses, everyday, every week, every month, every year.
Then on top of all that, the shop must turn a profit otherwise they are going out of business real soon.
I've always likened folks who want to buy their own parts as to folks who walk into a restaurant with their own ham & eggs. They want the restaurant to cook their food, use their faculties and they want it quick.
I have seen the management send many a idiot away who insisted that they purchase their own parts.
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