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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,362
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Repairs-what's fair?
I'm picking up my car tonight after having it lowered, aligned, turbo tie-rods and tires/wheels installed. The tech told me he was having a helluva time getting it to roll straight. He put quite a few hours into it to get it "almost" right. He couldn't be sure why this was, but considering his expertise and reputation, it must be a real puzzler. Anyway, he has waay more time into the car than the typical lowering and alignment. My question is this-Is one typically charged for the time spent or the task. In other words, should an alignment cost x amount of dollars regardless of time spent, or am I going to pay a fortune for "almost" right?
I have no preconceived notions on this regarding this individual. I'm harking back to a bad experience with my BMW where I paid quite a bit of money to get back a car that ran like crap. This from a guy who has been a BMW tech for 30+ years and only to have a knowledgable friend fix it in my driveway for a few beers. |
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08-02-2005, 02:24 PM
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Non Compos Mentis
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Off the grid- Almost
Posts: 10,603
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Don't know for sure, but my alignment guy charges a flat rate. At a recent race, I mentioned I was getting some understeer in one turn, and he asked me to bring the car back in. He readjusted the front toe and doublechecked everything else for no extra charge.
The car handled absolutely beautifully the next race. |
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08-02-2005, 03:18 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Oregun
Posts: 10,040
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It depends on what is contracted for...
When you go to a surgeon or a lawyer, you are getting an hourly based charge with the understanding that tho they will try to "save yo' worthless ass" there is no guaranteeeeeeeyow! So....
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"A man with his priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile." - Ferris Bueller's Day Off |
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08-02-2005, 03:55 PM
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Still Doin Time
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nokesville, Va.
Posts: 8,225
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Customer pay is a set rate / estimate agreed to by both parties. If the tech accomplished the task(s) in less time; good for him. If it takes longer; bad for him.
I'm a tech with 25+ years experience and anytime I had a problem car I could tell you, the manager, the service writer and anyone else who would listen EXCACTLY what took me so long. As far as "almost" it would depend on his view. I've seen some techs "almost" to be very, very close. Other guys.......well you'd just have to wonder. He should have a print-out of the before and after alignment readings to show you where he started and where he finished. Then comes price. Is he going to stick to his est??
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'15 Dodge - 'Dango R/T Hauls groceries and Kinda Hauls *ss '07 Jeep SRT-8 - Hauls groceries and Hauls *ss Sold '85 Guards Red Targa - Almost finished after 17 years '95 Road King w/117ci - No time to ride, see above '77 Sportster Pro-Street Drag Bike w/93ci - Sold |
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08-02-2005, 04:04 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,362
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Well the answer in this case is.....he was very fair. I never asked for a quote which is stupid I know. However, Fabson has a very good rep in the area so I just figured it would cost what it costs and be done with it. That assumption was before the job got tricky. I'm glad to report that he charged me far less than I figured it would be. He even charged me less than he quoted me on the tires and lug nuts which was nice. As far as "almost"-it pulls to the left just a little. He said he can't quite figure out where the problem is, but feels it may be the torsion bars-can't remember why.
Because I felt he did a thourough job at a reasonable cost, I tipped him for his efforts. And to prove that no good deed goes unpunished, the car quit on me 4 miles from the shop and I had to have it flat bedded back  . I'm sure it's completely unrelated to the suspension work, but what a pita. The car looked so great with the new low stance and the stunning Al Reed anodized 16 inchers; the last thing I wanted to do was send it back to the shop! As irony would have it, the car would need to be hauled right after having it lowered. It is so low now that it was damn near impossible to get the car up on the flatbed. Guess who else got a tip for being careful?
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08-02-2005, 06:25 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Jose, Ca
Posts: 1,897
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Bob,
Shoot! I'm sorry to hear about your technical difficulties! I bet your 77 looks incredible with your suspension upgrades, stance adjustment and those phenomenal wheels. I’m sure you will be on the road in no time!! Jason |
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08-02-2005, 07:02 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,362
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Thanks Jason. I hope to have it back tonight to enjoy it more than 5 minutes. It does, indeed, look incredible. The tow truck guy couldn't stop talking about it. The car always looked nice before but, like you said, adding the wheels and dropping it made all the difference in the world. Words, and probably pics, won't do it justice. But I'll try
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08-03-2005, 03:27 AM
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