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Started By
Message
re: Car Mechanics are some Got Damn Shysters
Posted on 10/24/18 at 8:55 am to tigerinthebueche
Posted on 10/24/18 at 8:55 am to tigerinthebueche
quote:
and?
are you a communist? Do you make a profit? Does your employer?
And you haven't even figured in what his overhead cost is or the other shite he may be paying- like his own health insurance! or his house note, kids tuition, etc.
Oh, so all the same things I have to pay for? Cry me a fricking river, man.
I've got no problem with a person running a successful business. I do have a problem with price gouging....especially orchestrated price gouging by way of the published labor guides distributed to mechanics.
2
Posted on 10/24/18 at 8:58 am to tigerinthebueche
quote:
But offering to fix something isn't a crime. And its definitely not wrong if the repairs are justified.
Yea, sometimes I take my truck in to a mechanic and if they find something extra that’s wrong I appreciate it and depending on what it is have them fix it. I work my back to death enough with windshields sometimes I don’t even like working on my own truck. Especially during the summer I don’t, had a mechanic replace my brake pads this past summer. My mechanic is awesome though and charges a reasonable price. I replaced my starter last week myself and honestly while doing it just wished I had forked out extra money and let someone else do it, I had shite around the house I could have been doing, like mother fricking painting b/c my wife says so lol
Posted on 10/24/18 at 8:59 am to tigerinthebueche
quote:
And you haven't even figured in what his overhead cost is or the other shite he may be paying- like his own health insurance! or his house note, kids tuition, etc.
I would like to see the numbers on how much per day a self employed person needs to make vs someone in a corporate job with paid vacation/401k/healthcare/50%FICA. Assuming of course they both have similar skilled jobs.
If the corporate person is taking home $300/day and the self employed person is taking 400 then I'm still not sure the the SE person is coming out better than the corporate jobber.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:00 am to mmmmmbeeer
quote:
I do have a problem with price gouging
Can be an issue in small towns with no competition but in cities there are usually gonna be some very good mechanics that charge a reasonable price
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:11 am to windshieldman
I just watched a few YouTube’s on changing out my rear main seal.
Nope.
Mechanic is getting this one.
Nope.
Mechanic is getting this one.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:12 am to Belly
quote:Order an LED blacklight UV flashlight from Amazon. I got one for $8.
My issue (on wife's car) is the oil level low notification came on. I tend to stretch the mileage between oil changes so I figured the car just burned some over time. Mechanic at Wal-Mart said he couldn't change the oil because there was a leak and oil "all over the bottom of the car". It had been months between the oil change and the low oil issue so if there is a leak, it must be extremely slow. Still if true, I reckon I need to have it fixed. I do wonder if it's just leaking out of the bolt, but I can't be sure. Seems if that were the case, it would drip out in the driveway and I'd notice it. Or maybe it leaks only when oil is hot while driving? Where's a good place in BR to have that checked out?
Then purchase an 8 oz. bottle of UV leak detector. It's a UV dye that you pour into your oil. You can order it also on Amazon or get it at most auto stores. $8-10
Pour the dye into your oil and drive the car. Get under there after with the flashlight and you'll see exactly where the leak is coming from. Works great. I found an oil leak on a valve cover on an old 4Runner I had.
Amazon UV dye
Make sure you get the dye for the oil. It can be used for fuel, power steering and maybe brakes (not positive on the brakes though).
This post was edited on 10/24/18 at 9:33 am
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:13 am to mmmmmbeeer
quote:
Oh, so all the same things I have to pay for? Cry me a fricking river, man.
Correct! He's trying to pay for the same shite you are. You're just pissed he's trying to do it on your back.
But that's why you shop around or haggle with him. He doesn't make a dime if you don't agree to it. And that's how you get prices to come down for everyone.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:16 am to Tarik One
quote:
I don't know dik about cars
Needed a blower motor resistor (from online research) due to the heat/ac not blowing. Mechanic wants to hit me up for $370: $150 for the part, $220 for the labor.
1 week later, I ordered the part on Amazon for $14 (auto store charged $41). Part delivered in 2 days. 2 days later, I watched a 10 min YouTube video on how to replace it.
Switched the part in all of 5 minutes. Air works fine.
I asked the dealership for a quote to replace my brakes... $700
I did myself for $150 and 2 hours of labor.
Most simple car repairs are DIY jobs especially with Youtube offering so many videos.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:16 am to Tarik One
I am in agreement with going to YouTube first to try to figure out how to repair the issue. Done this many times.
Also as my son got to be driving age and he had issues with his vehicle I would research the repair, buy the part and hand him my Ipad to watch the YouTube. Then all I did was hand him tools and maybe guide him a bit. Great teaching tool.
Also as my son got to be driving age and he had issues with his vehicle I would research the repair, buy the part and hand him my Ipad to watch the YouTube. Then all I did was hand him tools and maybe guide him a bit. Great teaching tool.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:18 am to TexasTiger89
quote:
I am in agreement with going to YouTube first to try to figure out how to repair the issue. Done this many times.
Also as my son got to be driving age and he had issues with his vehicle I would research the repair, buy the part and hand him my Ipad to watch the YouTube. Then all I did was hand him tools and maybe guide him a bit. Great teaching tool.
DId that as well. Then proudly watched him and his friend install a cold air intake and subwoofer by themselves at the ripe ages of 17.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:20 am to Chuker
quote:
I would like to see the numbers on how much per day a self employed person needs to make vs someone in a corporate job with paid vacation/401k/healthcare/50%FICA. Assuming of course they both have similar skilled jobs
I don't know a single self- employed person who doesn't get discouraged by "the numbers" when they pay quarterly taxes compared to the effort, time, and sacrifice they put into making their business successful. If it is so.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:23 am to Tarik One
Part of the mechanic's charges are for the actual "spot" you are taking in their schedule. Yes, its an easy and inexpensive fix, but to him its blocking a more lucrative repair they might otherwise work.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:24 am to mmmmmbeeer
quote:No no no.
The thing that shocked me was how Napa has accounts for mechanics and any part purchased under that account is discounted 50%. So a mechanic charges you $300 for a pump they're only paying $150 for..
It's not that much of a discount. My dad has a commercial account at a couple of parts houses and it's maybe a 10-15% discount. He doesn't pay sales tax on the parts though because it's for resale.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:29 am to Bullfrog
quote:Yeah, that's not an easy job.
I just watched a few YouTube’s on changing out my rear main seal.
Nope.
Mechanic is getting this one.
Having a lift and a transmission jack makes it alot easier. You made the right call.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:38 am to i am dan
I hope anyone can change a serpentine belt. I don't have a newer vehicle so maybe things have changed.
But I changed my belt last Halloween in my parents driveway with no light besides my cell phone.
But I changed my belt last Halloween in my parents driveway with no light besides my cell phone.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:31 pm to Tigeralum2008
A friend of ours took his 2008 Z-71 Silverado truck to Budget Brakes.
His final bill was almost $900.
They charged an extra fee to upgrade pads to ceramic.
Charged an extra fee for new hardware.
Charged extra for new caliper seals.
Replaced all 4 rotors at $110 per rotor.
He asked what our GM store charges for a brake job.
Our price for his vehicle is $99 for front pad replacement and $99 for the rear.
Pads are $59.95 and labor is $40.
Pads are ceramic and include all hardware and seals. Plus you get 1 free replacement set of pads when those wear out. You just pay the $40 labor to have them installed...OR...you can do it yourself.
If rotors have to be replaced, GM has 3 levels of rotors (good, better,best) just like the auto part chain stores.
The rotors we install are the "good" level and sell for $60-80 each. Good quality metal and none of that Chinese made junk.
There is additional labor to replace rotors and its $95 for the front and same for the rear.
So front brake job with rotors and labor is $320 range.
I'm familiar with GM brand vehicles and a lot of times our prices are not far off, if not less than the quick lane lube joints.
Also we compare our labor rate to our competitors yearly. Our labor rate is $90 per hour and the quick lubes/Goodyear/Firestone stores are $80-85.
Lastly, if you're waiting on your vehicle while we service it, we will bring you back in the shop and show you what you will need. If you're not there, we will save old parts for you to Inspect when you pickup your vehicle. Heck, even our techs have started face timing some of our customers so they can see the issue while they're at work. Got to love modern technology.
His final bill was almost $900.
They charged an extra fee to upgrade pads to ceramic.
Charged an extra fee for new hardware.
Charged extra for new caliper seals.
Replaced all 4 rotors at $110 per rotor.
He asked what our GM store charges for a brake job.
Our price for his vehicle is $99 for front pad replacement and $99 for the rear.
Pads are $59.95 and labor is $40.
Pads are ceramic and include all hardware and seals. Plus you get 1 free replacement set of pads when those wear out. You just pay the $40 labor to have them installed...OR...you can do it yourself.
If rotors have to be replaced, GM has 3 levels of rotors (good, better,best) just like the auto part chain stores.
The rotors we install are the "good" level and sell for $60-80 each. Good quality metal and none of that Chinese made junk.
There is additional labor to replace rotors and its $95 for the front and same for the rear.
So front brake job with rotors and labor is $320 range.
I'm familiar with GM brand vehicles and a lot of times our prices are not far off, if not less than the quick lane lube joints.
Also we compare our labor rate to our competitors yearly. Our labor rate is $90 per hour and the quick lubes/Goodyear/Firestone stores are $80-85.
Lastly, if you're waiting on your vehicle while we service it, we will bring you back in the shop and show you what you will need. If you're not there, we will save old parts for you to Inspect when you pickup your vehicle. Heck, even our techs have started face timing some of our customers so they can see the issue while they're at work. Got to love modern technology.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 9:51 pm to partsman103
Where’s your shop?
I’m always looking for a fair mechanic
I’m always looking for a fair mechanic
Posted on 10/24/18 at 10:17 pm to Tarik One
I go see the Vietnamese guy Bee near Gardere. Good work reasonably priced. Will negotiate.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 10:20 pm to Walt OReilly
Here is a run down of the acutal costs of operating a mechanic shop.
Rent 1500 - for a decent location, like back street
Shop insruance 150
Electricity 200-250
All Data 200
Identi-Fix -130
Plus monthly tool budget 80-200/month account with a tool truck driver/tools you are still paying on.
Plus you have your scan tool with Snap-On which you are still paying on because it is 8,000.00 Freaking dollars.
Eating out 15-25 a day with family because your good for nothing wife refuses to cook and spends money like its on fire.
So Yeah, it isnt exactly cheap to be in business.
In addition to all the little youtube jobs we get to do, we also get the pain in the arse jobs, which no one can figure out, ones you cant really bill for beacuse you spent too much time on it and still cant find the problem.
Customers, well I want to use these parts because they are cheaper.
Fine but I wont warranty them.
Just Shut up and let me make my money.
Your paying me because you dont want to sweat your balls off changing this part and you dont know what you are doing because you read it online.
Honestly I am barley making enough to just pay bills this month and not fall completely behind. Not netting 6 figures at the end of everything, I probably will be around 40-65k after all the aggervation and bullshite of trying to get paid by customers.
My rate is 80/hr
Rent 1500 - for a decent location, like back street
Shop insruance 150
Electricity 200-250
All Data 200
Identi-Fix -130
Plus monthly tool budget 80-200/month account with a tool truck driver/tools you are still paying on.
Plus you have your scan tool with Snap-On which you are still paying on because it is 8,000.00 Freaking dollars.
Eating out 15-25 a day with family because your good for nothing wife refuses to cook and spends money like its on fire.
So Yeah, it isnt exactly cheap to be in business.
In addition to all the little youtube jobs we get to do, we also get the pain in the arse jobs, which no one can figure out, ones you cant really bill for beacuse you spent too much time on it and still cant find the problem.
Customers, well I want to use these parts because they are cheaper.
Fine but I wont warranty them.
Just Shut up and let me make my money.
Your paying me because you dont want to sweat your balls off changing this part and you dont know what you are doing because you read it online.
Honestly I am barley making enough to just pay bills this month and not fall completely behind. Not netting 6 figures at the end of everything, I probably will be around 40-65k after all the aggervation and bullshite of trying to get paid by customers.
My rate is 80/hr
Posted on 10/24/18 at 11:39 pm to theicebox
quote:
Eating out 15-25 a day with family because your good for nothing wife refuses to cook and spends money like its on fire.
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