Want to see an houly labor charge?
#21
#23
#24
#25
"We charge book time." Usually book time is stretched -- a tech I knew claimed it was to allow for the jobs where the job was much longer than book. Supposedly.
I've looked up book time for a few of the jobs I've done. When I was renting a lift at my favorite DIY garage, who subscribed to a version of the book, I was about 2x book time for what the book claimed, which I assume meant to be the speed of a pro.
That said, "book time" can be whatever the shop wants to claim it is, unless you demand to see the "book".
Note this is in no way critical of the techs -- its the shop that decides the time used, whether based on the "book" or the shop manager's thoughts about his next boat payment.
I've looked up book time for a few of the jobs I've done. When I was renting a lift at my favorite DIY garage, who subscribed to a version of the book, I was about 2x book time for what the book claimed, which I assume meant to be the speed of a pro.
That said, "book time" can be whatever the shop wants to claim it is, unless you demand to see the "book".
Note this is in no way critical of the techs -- its the shop that decides the time used, whether based on the "book" or the shop manager's thoughts about his next boat payment.
Last edited by panthera999; 03-09-2023 at 08:43 AM.
#27
I was thinking this exactly as well. Both Jag dealers near me (Grapevine and Frisco TX) are absolutely beautiful. Leather couches, TVs, snacks, water, coffee machines that serve lattes, Marble, hardwood trim, etc. Give me a break. The Lincoln dealer isn't far behind... Now the Hyundai service area is a dump like it should be. Haha. Just get me in and get out.
As far as labor rate, I'm not sure exactly. My son got quoted $1400 to do rear brakes on his XFRS. Probably 1/2 is parts cost but I believe that is a bit high.
As far as labor rate, I'm not sure exactly. My son got quoted $1400 to do rear brakes on his XFRS. Probably 1/2 is parts cost but I believe that is a bit high.
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shemp (03-10-2023)
#28
A customer wanted to sell his car to the Used car dept, the sales manager made an offer...the customer replied that 'book value' was xxx, sales manager suggested he sell it to the 'BOOK'.
WJ
#30
Yes I've found that indie mechanics these days are like 75-80% of dealer rates. They don't even help out on parts prices either, like can you spend 10 minutes crossreferencing the parts number so I'm not buying a Bosch part in a Jaguar box marked up 400%? When it's all said and done you'll be halfway through the job yourself once you finish negotiating the quote
#31
Based on experience I can tell you the move from white boxes to genuine branded boxes does have merit and has become more common practice. First, it's more reliable and easier to deal directly with genuine dealer parts and secondly I've heard comments that aftermarket parts, though often times identical to the genuine part, sometimes fail more frequently or have fitment issues. Even independents can't afford the liability.
Just recently I replaced an expansion valve with a quite common aftermarket and it lasted only 1 year, so this time round I went with genuine JLR at 10X the price and there was a distinct difference in design and quality.
However, if you're DIY there's not necessarily anything wrong with sourcing your own parts aftermarket, just do due diligence.
Just recently I replaced an expansion valve with a quite common aftermarket and it lasted only 1 year, so this time round I went with genuine JLR at 10X the price and there was a distinct difference in design and quality.
However, if you're DIY there's not necessarily anything wrong with sourcing your own parts aftermarket, just do due diligence.
#33
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Yes I've found that indie mechanics these days are like 75-80% of dealer rates. They don't even help out on parts prices either, like can you spend 10 minutes crossreferencing the parts number so I'm not buying a Bosch part in a Jaguar box marked up 400%? When it's all said and done you'll be halfway through the job yourself once you finish negotiating the quote
If xxx- shop (dealer or indie) has all the service bays filled, and consistently has 2-3 weeks of appointments booked, there's no overwhelming reason to do the work less expensively. It might be a really good shop or it might be lack of competition. Or maybe both.
If xxx-shop (dealer or indie) has mechanics standing around at noon with nothing to do, and hardly any appointments booked, well....they may be overpriced or perhaps they're doing a lousy job. Or maybe both.
Cheers
DD
#34
From my experience, they don't offer to do it unless you specifically ask, and then once you do, they throw up static about not being able to warranty the work for you, we don't use aftermarket parts, blah blah. You basically have to sit with them on the computer and show them that it's the exact same OEM part.
I had a "reputable" indie shop quote me $3200 for 8 "Jaguar" fuel injectors. The actual OEM part is Bosch 0261500298, price is actually $80 new from pretty much any major, reputable parts source, x 8 = $640.
So either they were wasting $2500 of my money because they couldn't take 10 minutes to look up the actual part number, or they were pocketing the difference simply by ordering the part from a different place. This place deals with these cars all the time, I'm inclined to think that they knew better.
I did the job myself.
I had a "reputable" indie shop quote me $3200 for 8 "Jaguar" fuel injectors. The actual OEM part is Bosch 0261500298, price is actually $80 new from pretty much any major, reputable parts source, x 8 = $640.
So either they were wasting $2500 of my money because they couldn't take 10 minutes to look up the actual part number, or they were pocketing the difference simply by ordering the part from a different place. This place deals with these cars all the time, I'm inclined to think that they knew better.
I did the job myself.
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pvxkowner (03-21-2023)
#35
#36
My Jag dealer let me do this as well. They wanted $700 for water pump and associated parts. I bought genuine Jag parts from a Jag dealer on the east coast for $300 (I was going to do it myself). When I decided I didn't want to do it (haha) took them to my dealer and they installed them for me. The only "catch" was the part warranty was thru the other dealer.
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mosesbotbol (03-22-2023)
#38
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