Shop rip off prices

[Re-run]

So, I finally had to break down and change the struts and swaybar links on my car. Tired of the clunks and body roll.

Took about 90 minutes using typical tools, nothing special and no vehicle lift or pit. Then I thought to myself, "a shop would have charged a set rate for this, likely 2-3 hours and overcharged on parts too." The $260ish I paid for parts probably would have turned into close to 800 or more for a shop to do it.

I realize not everyone is capable of things like this and indeed I probably don't have the facilities to repair a tranny, but I am glad I am capable of doing simple things like this.

[motogrady]

For a shop, especially in a building in town, let alone on the main drag, 800 might do it.

Markup on parts, 1/3 to triple.

To pay a guy, anything under 10 an hour is paying poverty wages.

Social Security, you have to match what he pays.

Then there's workmans comp. You have to pay that.

Add on Obamacare, if you care.

Then, rent for the building.  Insurance for the building.  The water bill. The electric bill. The phones.

Finally, add your profit, if you are in business to make money to feed the kids.

Which will be taxed by about 1/3, with SS taken out, and the health insurance for the family.

That shop better charge at least 800, or he's going bankrupt.

Now, if he want's to make money, if he feels he deserves to get ahead, because he's sticking his neck
out ( what happens when his guy messes up, and cut's a hand off or messes a job up, causing a wreck),
and he's the whole reason there is a place where someone can go to get a car fixed,
I say he should double that 800, charge 1.600, and make it worth it.

[Re-run]

I was mainly referring to dealer shops and their $100+ an hour rates and how they don't actually go by the time the vehicle was actually being worked on, but by the time printer on a piece of paper saying how much they should charge for it.

Maybe part of it comes from shops trying to treat me like I know nothing even after I tell them exactly what the issue is. or maybe from shops that half ass the work like forgetting to plug injectors in properly.

[seestheday]

Isn't the time on the printer vs. the time actually spent the difference between being a senior experienced mechanic and a junior mechanic.

The guys that are better can do more work, bring in more money for the shop and get paid more.  The guys that are junior actually take as long as is printed on the timesheet (or longer).

As for the price you paid - you forgot to add in opportunity cost .

Opportunity cost = your hourly rate X the time you spent doing it.

That said, I agree with half assed work pissing me off.  That is why you have to have a good relationship with your mechanic.