Should one document classic parts before service by mechanic?

[Zeke]

I've been told by several mechanics that PCNA only discounts 10% to independents. Of course, not everything has to come from PCNA. But the shops don't mark up much, they just charge what you'd pay if you were at the parts counter, unless you have an account at World Pac or something. I agree with JW on not taking your own parts in.

I don't think he is insulted either. There are a lot of mechanics on this board and they all know that there are some yahoos out there. One or two have even posted episodes in the past. It's a reality.

I used to have service done at Andial because I wasn't the least bit interested in learning the CIS on the car I had. And Pelican wasn't around. Neither were BBS's. Arnold used to drive my car home now and then. We both lived in Mission Viejo (that's CA for you that have no idea). He still lives there. It's about 15 miles one way, just enough to really find out about the car. Plus, he got to start it the next morning stone cold.

[Chuck Moreland]

A Porsche mechanic is around 911s all day long, drives them all the time, probably owns several. Driving a 911 is a not a special treat to them and they aren't going on a joy ride in your car.

The same may not apply to the kid at the detail shop, the oil change place, or the tire change shop.

[H.G.P.]

OK, I'll back off on the parts stuff, and make this a learning experience.

[thomschoon]

It really is simple, either trust your wrench or do-it-yourself.

Everybody needs to make a living and so far we havent been able to outsource wrenching to China.

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by yelcab1
I think we have just insulted J. Walker, the best mechanic on this site.

Ha, I think JW probably got insulted and got over it a long time ago.



-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by briansc
The markup on parts isn't so great that you're sending the mechanics kid to Harvard.

Hmm, actually not true. If you look at how a shop runs, the service basically pays the overhead, and the profit is made on the parts. Most shops buy aftermarket parts and then charge near list Porsche prices to the customer. At least that's how it has worked at most of the shops that I know...

-Wayne

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Hmm, actually not true. If you look at how a shop runs, the service basically pays the overhead, and the profit is made on the parts. Most shops buy aftermarket parts and then charge near list Porsche prices to the customer. At least that's how it has worked at most of the shops that I know...

-Wayne

Definitely true for common cars, which 9 times out of 10 don't measure up to OEM stuff. (case in point - oil filters at the dealer vs. Jiffy lube) But a Porsche? Would it be safe to say that OEM Porsche parts get charged Porsche prices at a shop? What I mean, last I checked I didn't get Autolite wires installed on my car. My only real choices for this item all seem OEM or better and someone is always swearing by it. Seems like the only pieces available are OEM or hotrod stuff that's supposed to exceed OEM anyhow.

Only time that could be an issue is if the aftermarket stuff isn't up to snuff, but a Porsche being (putting it mildly, "different") isn't as prone to having such inferior junk available. Any self-respecting shop wouldn't install anything less. I can imagine it may be possible but what shop would stay in business for any length of time using garbage like that? Fel-Pro gaskets? Mighty caps and rotors? Fram (ugh) anything (oil filters, I know) Don't know of any major aftermarket suppliers that get any exposure with this stuff.

I'm probably walking into the lion's den by asking but oh well, I'm curious?

rjp

[Britwrench]

There is a big difference between aftermarket and OEM. Most shops buy there OEM parts through the big parts importers (and that includes Pelican) and then resell them with a profit. OEM parts include Bosch, SWF, TRW, Mahle etc. I wouldn't say that the mark-up is that wonderful on the parts. On some parts (not many, admitedly) the mark up is not really sufficient to really be worth it. But that's part of doing business.
Porsche supplied parts discount to independents is less than it could be but sometimes Porsche is the only supplier, so the end-use will be charged MSRP of a particular part.

I would suggest you also look at the warranty provisions of most of the parts suppliers. Usually, the warranty is for replacement of the part without any labor contribution, the independent shop has to absorb that. Fortunately, warranty problems are rare, but it's something independent shops have to plan for in their budget.

[RANDY P]

The statment seems to imply that some shops install "inferior" pieces and charge like prices as OEM. There's a difference between private branded parts that came from an OEM supplier vs. an aftermarket piece that is built to funtion but built more cheaply with cost in mind - built in China for instance. It seems that it would be less of a problem for the consumer on a Porsche, than a common car. Once again, I'm not saying it's impossible, but highly impractical since it's so rare. It would be criminal to pay dealer prices if the items are low grade non - supplier.


Extreme case would be like the hypothetical Autolite wires - if I got billed $300 for those then it would be an issue. Tbe statment would imply that's possible.


Maybe the statment would be more accurately phrased as "dealer supplied vs. parts house supplied"? Make no mistake, It's fair trade if you're getting OEM quality for dealer price, despite who's name is on the box.

Just a thought..

rjp