Mechanic crazy fees

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Anything approaching 200/hr here would not last long unless they were very efficient and charging actual time vs. book time. it seems this is where dealers get the bad rep. They have a book time listed for almost every job. They bill the manufacturer book time. I'm not sure what the payment arrangement between the factory and the dealer is and we may never know the whole story.

But you go in after the warranty is past and pay that rate. At 8K to rebuild or replace a Macan front differential is why I did not buy another Porsche brand vehicle. Where I go now I saw a model 992 glass Targa roof being repaired. The glass panel was out. The shop appears to charge 130/hr and estimated 8 hours for the job plus parts. I can't imagine what a dealer would get for that. The complete top ass'y is somewhere over 15K but I think they were doing a motor and seals. Still, a dealer would be too expensive for the value of this 992. I read that total R an R for that roof was booked at 15 hours.

Note, a quick perusing of a Rennlist thread told of dealer rates from mid 200's to over 400/hr. IDT an indie would last long at those rates. I could be wrong.

200 a hr is the new normal. I know a place that charges 90$ in a small town, but they scratch my wheels every time I take them in.

[Cajundaddy]

So far, the Porsche indie shops I work with are still pretty reasonable. They charge full retail for parts and hourly rate is around $150 with discount for cash.

Local Porsche dealer, not so much. $250/hr, 2x full retail counter for parts, and their diagnostic skill is weak. I spent $5k two years ago chasing an emissions CEL. I told the shop it was due for plugs/coil paks which may have fouled the cats. They replaced O2 sensors, replaced the oil pan which had a slight leak, ignored the plugs and cleared the codes. CEL came back in 2 weeks and they said oops, sorry. We can replace the plugs for another $5k. No thanks.

[Dansvan]

Why should I, as a shop owner, eat the cost of your method of payment? The CC companies charge a fee whether it’s a debit or credit card. Cash is king but no one wants to go to the banks and get cash and carry it, so you use a convenient card. To get the money processed off that card costs me money. Again, why should I or anyone else pay for your convenience when there are other options out there? Don’t want to pay the 3percent or so, then pay cash. And calling it a cash discount is the exact same thing as saying 3% mark up for card processing. I don’t make a dime off that CC processing charge. It’s also funny that people complain about the cost of going to a shop now - soon with the way things are going you won’t be able to because they will all be gone. No one wants to be a mechanic anymore. Massive shortage. Then you’ll be begging to pay any amount to get something fixed and complaining about the current state of affairs. Oh wait- that’s what you’re doing now lol. Carry on

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Dansvan

Why should I, as a shop owner, eat the cost of your method of payment? The CC companies charge a fee whether it’s a debit or credit card. Cash is king but no one wants to go to the banks and get cash and carry it, so you use a convenient card. To get the money processed off that card costs me money. Again, why should I or anyone else pay for your convenience when there are other options out there? Don’t want to pay the 3percent or so, then pay cash. And calling it a cash discount is the exact same thing as saying 3% mark up for card processing. I don’t make a dime off that CC processing charge. It’s also funny that people complain about the cost of going to a shop now - soon with the way things are going you won’t be able to because they will all be gone. No one wants to be a mechanic anymore. Massive shortage. Then you’ll be begging to pay any amount to get something fixed and complaining about the current state of affairs. Oh wait- that’s what you’re doing now lol. Carry on

People hate getting nickel and dimed to death. It is the current reason Las Vegas is emptying out.

Gentle business suggestion- Since 95% of customers pay with a card, build that 3% fee into your regular rates and offer a cash discount for the rare bird who saves you the 3% processing fees with cash. This is what we did as a thriving service company for the last 30 years. You get the fees covered, customer feel better about doing business with your shop. Win-win!

[Dansvan]

By your own admission you are still charging the fees - just hiding them in a higher hourly rate. It’s still a business expense. You cannot honestly say “oh we don’t charge CC fees” because you do - it’s just hidden. I’m not disguising anything- and my business has also thrived for the last 25 years. Customers like honest straight forward to the point businesses that also do a great job

[Evans, Marv]

Some months ago I had to take my '20 Ford van in to a local dealership. The steering unit went out & I had an icon on the insturment panel illuminated. It ended up needing a new steering unit and wiring harnesses replaced because of rodent damage to the tune of over $7K. I was blown away when I saw the labor charges of $276/hr. I hadn't taken a vehicle into a dealership for work in the past few decades. It was a real shock.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Dansvan

By your own admission you are still charging the fees - just hiding them in a higher hourly rate. It’s still a business expense. You cannot honestly say “oh we don’t charge CC fees” because you do - it’s just hidden. I’m not disguising anything- and my business has also thrived for the last 25 years. Customers like honest straight forward to the point businesses that also do a great job

Well, CC fees are a business expense just like the electric bill, rent, insurance, shop rags, employee benefits but you are completely comfortable "hiding" those in your regular rates... And people LOVE the opportunity for a discount and HATE being nickel and dimed to death for the little things. Just the reality of human nature.

Your biz, your choice.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by David

My wife took her Panamera in for service recently. They said it was due for an oil change, brake fluid flush and cabin air filter. I told them I'd do brake and cabin filter, you do the oil change. Oil change was $629.99!!! Then while it's there they said it's due for the 40K mile transmission flush even though it only has 28K miles because it's 4 years old. I said no. So what did they want for brake fluid flush, cabin air filter, engine air filter replacement, oil change, flat tire repair fluid, and transmission fluid exchange? $4,957.62!!! I love Porsche's but I think I'm done with new ones.

and there was a box at the bottom of the bill:

Suggested Tips
20% $991.40
25% $1239.25
30% $1487.10

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

and there was a box at the bottom of the bill:

You have got to be kidding…

[Baz]

I have an "Ivan" and pay him cash. Everyone should have an "Ivan"!

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Well, CC fees are a business expense just like the electric bill, rent, insurance, shop rags, employee benefits but you are completely comfortable "hiding" those in your regular rates... And people LOVE the opportunity for a discount and HATE being nickel and dimed to death for the little things. Just the reality of human nature.

Your biz, your choice.

My thoughts exactly. I charge $400 to $500 per hour depending on case. If someone decides to pay with a card, I just eat it. It is my cost of doing business and I have factored it into my fees.

Someone suggested the muffler shop and getting a bung welded in. I checked with the Midas just down the street from me. They are at $225 per hour. That was a little eyewatering for Midas.

It would be one thing if CC fees were a small nominal fee like $35, but it isn't. It gets larger if the overall cost is greater.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

and there was a box at the bottom of the bill:

Soooo .... is Joe a bigly tipper?

Or a CBLM .... Zero ?

[KNS]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

Someone suggested the muffler shop and getting a bung welded in. I checked with the Midas just down the street from me. They are at $225 per hour. That was a little eyewatering for Midas.

For Midas!! As mentioned earlier - this is not sustainable. It may get to the point where, for some people with even reasonably decent incomes, it doesn't make financial sense to own an automobile anymore. Cars have become way too complex and with Govt requirements now for all sorts expensive sensors and safety systems, repair may become prohibitive.

Glenn's got it right - get an old El Camino or similar and drive it into the ground.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

My thoughts exactly. I charge $400 to $500 per hour depending on case. If someone decides to pay with a card, I just eat it. It is my cost of doing business and I have factored it into my fees.

Someone suggested the muffler shop and getting a bung welded in. I checked with the Midas just down the street from me. They are at $225 per hour. That was a little eyewatering for Midas.

It would be one thing if CC fees were a small nominal fee like $35, but it isn't. It gets larger if the overall cost is greater.

When debit cards came on the scene ... a charge, whether $25, or $2,500 cost the "bank" around .25-35 to process. Back then, the same process via a Credit Card (with benefits for sure) was 4%.... now ... it'$ different .... becau$e they can .

When literally billions flow through each day, with much being via CC/Debit ... a measly 3-4% off the top ain't that much..... I$ IT?

Ye$ IT I$ .... unless yer a banker

[javadog]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

Someone suggested the muffler shop and getting a bung welded in. I checked with the Midas just down the street from me. They are at $225 per hour. That was a little eyewatering for Midas.

I had to change out the middle section of exhaust on a daily driver. Three rusty bolts at the cat that I didn’t wanna screw with, two hangers. I already had the muffler off, so they didn’t have to screw with that. Installing the new one was the same three bolts and two hangers.

I figured I would try Midas, they ought to be cheap, right? Nope. One hour minimum, wouldn’t guarantee only the one hour, same hourly rate.

Got a price from their competitor chain, half mile away, same deal.

Found an old mom and pop place that had been in business since cars were invented, got it done for 90 bucks.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by javadog

You have got to be kidding…

Originally Posted by KFC911

Soooo .... is Joe a bigly tipper?
Or a CBLM .... Zero ?

C'mon guys, it was a joke about how entitled Porsche is. It seems like they think they are doing you a favor by selling you a car or working on it. The "Porsche tax" is getting out of hand.

[Por_sha911]

btw, what does CBLM stand for?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

btw, what does CBLM stand for?

LOL ... I was getting ready to reply that CBLM don't even go to a stealership and didn't know ... just picking

Cheap Bastids Like Me

[matthewb0051]

I had my LR4 in a few years ago with same mechanic for the infotainment system not working. It is: radio, cd, dvd in cargo area, 3 tv screens, phone, and probably something I'm forgetting. At any rate, it is comprised of about 6 electronic boxes connected by fiber optic. If one of the 6 units goes down it takes out the entire system.

The mechanic traced it to the one box and told me what it was in their estimate. They also gave me the eBay link to the exact part and told me that the cost new was over $2k. No markup and it was drop shipped to them.

So it is odd to me that they would do that but now are going gangbusters on part mark up and CC fees and shop supply fees.

The cost of the axle seals they replaced this past week was normal price and didn't appear to have markup.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by KFC911

LOL ... I was getting ready to reply that CBLM don't even go to a stealership and didn't know ... just picking

Cheap Bastids Like Me

lol