Parts prices: Internet vs. independent

[TWOZTER]

Looking to update my front suspension, and have calculated about $550 or so for the parts, got quoted $900 or so for labor ( includes alignment, height adjustment, etc.). Would it normally be cheaper to let the shop get the parts or get them from the Internet (like through our host).

For clarity, I am having all new ER bushings, LF ball joints, sway bar bushings replaced.

Any opinions? Am weighing options of doing it myself ( I'm a bit of a noob, but haves turned a wrench before), or farming it out to a local shop.

John

[tazzieman]

Don't be a chicken , do it yourself and save the labour cost. That way , the parts are "free". You'll get all the help you need here.
Buy the parts from Pelican.

[rnln]

what you described is very labor intensive. If the shop is legitimate and can do everything the way you want, $400 worth the trouble. The problem with most of us, the DIY, is that most people can not satisfy what we "want" beside the labor cost.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by djcdmv

Just having this issue myself... The shop I talked with charges more in labor for customer supplied parts. It was either $20-$30 more per hour. Don't know if that is legal, but I guess it is the "Porsche" tax.

+1 Dave.

And when you take into account the ride height and alignment (corner balance?) and potential need for special tools (ball joints?), $900 doesn't sound too bad -- if it's a reputable shop.

Just my $.02.

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by djcdmv

Just having this issue myself... The shop I talked with charges more in labor for customer supplied parts. It was either $20-$30 more per hour. Don't know if that is legal, but I guess it is the "Porsche" tax.

No its not a Porsche tax its the way people stay in business

You are taking profit from them when you provide your own parts

Plus what happens when the part YOU provide doesn't work or is the wrong part?

In my business I WILL NOT install a plumbing part that is customer supplied

Think about it, lets say a homeowner goes to home depot and buys a $60 POS faucet, I install it and 6 months later it starts to leak. Who's responsible??

I understand people are trying to save a buck but put yourself in business owners shoes

[Quicksilver]

Being that you are in Portland you have one of the best shops in existence up there: Rennsport Systems. Steve can hook you up great.

That being said...
I would be inclined to do as much of it as I could myself. Bolt it together and just have them do the alignment and corner balance.

[kidrock]

I can definitely understand trying to save a few $$$, but honestly, when you buy parts and supply them to your mechanic, it's pretty much considered bad form. If you're going to have a "wrench" do your labor, you might as well go "all in".

However, I don't believe it's bad form to want QUALITY parts installed. It doesn't hurt to ask your wrench which particular parts he's planning to install. EXAMPLE: Anything by "URO" is definitely OUT.

[rnln]

Mechanics can get some discount from their own parts suppliers. It's usually 10%-15% around here.

Originally Posted by djcdmv

Just having this issue myself... The shop I talked with charges more in labor for customer supplied parts. It was either $20-$30 more per hour. Don't know if that is legal, but I guess it is the "Porsche" tax.

[myamoto1]

Originally Posted by TWOZTER

Looking to update my front suspension, and have calculated about $550 or so for the parts, got quoted $900 or so for labor ( includes alignment, height adjustment, etc.). Would it normally be cheaper to let the shop get the parts or get them from the Internet (like through our host).

For clarity, I am having all new ER bushings, LF ball joints, sway bar bushings replaced.

Any opinions? Am weighing options of doing it myself ( I'm a bit of a noob, but haves turned a wrench before), or farming it out to a local shop.

John

The front suspension is a piece of cake to do. You're also local. You should come out to one of our BnB's and meet the guys.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/pacific-northwest-us-wa-id-ut-hi-ak/500446-oregon-pdx-beers-burgers-second-thursday-every-month-71.html

[mlfox]

Taking your own parts to the shop is like taking your own eggs to the restaurant.

Regards,
mlfox

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by mlfox

Taking your own parts to the shop is like taking your own eggs to the restaurant.

Regards,
mlfox

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where they take there own maple syrup to the coffee shop and the cook takes it from them..Lol

[dshepp806]

Luckily, my wrench doesn't have a problem with this,..as long as it's Porsche factory parts.

I'm completely good with that,..and respect his offer, to boot!

No big deal,..nope,..no "all in" BS.

Doyle

[TWOZTER]

Thanks for the input. Just so you know, my wrench is a very reputable one that has worked on P-Cars since '71 and I explained my dilemma to him, which he understood and gave me some advice. As far as the parts go, they are all top shelf items that he approved of and had no problem with me supplying them, but in the end I may just have him order them up himself.

Right now, my level of comfort is a bit low to be working on suspension parts, so I'll probably take it in.

John

[TWOZTER]

Thanks for the input. Just so you know, my wrench is a very reputable one that has worked on P-Cars since '71 and I explained my dilemma to him, which he understood and gave me some advice. As far as the parts go, they are all top shelf items that he approved of and had no problem with me supplying them, but in the end I may just have him order them up himself.

Right now, my level of comfort is a bit low to be working on suspension parts, so I'll probably take it in.

John

[TWOZTER]

Originally Posted by myamoto1

The front suspension is a piece of cake to do. You're also local. You should come out to one of our BnB's and meet the guys.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/pacific-northwest-us-wa-id-ut-hi-ak/500446-oregon-pdx-beers-burgers-second-thursday-every-month-71.html

Nice! I will have to check that out.

John

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by djcdmv

I didn't mean to offend anyone. I do understand your point. (Also hope I didn't offend the owner of the shop by asking about bringing my own parts. He seems to be a good guy and has worked on my car before)

I should explain better. My problem is when the quality of the parts is poor AND cost more than the parts our host sells. I priced out parts at a car parts store and they wanted more for a lower quality part. I just assumed the shop would be more, too. In your example, it would be getting the POS faucet installed at a higher cost than the quality part I want.

I typically go out of my way to support the local guys.

you have not offended me however what people need to understand is that operating a business such as car repair shop or my business, Plumbing repair company (which are basically the same business) we operate on material mark up and labor cost.

lets say I come to your house and you say "Justin can you install a nice kitchen faucet for me that has pull out spray spout and is guaranteed" I say "of course it will cost $550 installed which includes parts and labor"
Then you say "wait a second let me look online real quick"

Ok you pull up the wonderful HD web site and find the biggest POS faucet Pricefister or whatever and it is advertised at 150.00.....Ok so the first thing that pops in your head is, wait its gonna take him 1hr to install this faucet which means he is charging me 400.00 an hr??????

Before anybody jumps on me this happens in MY business on a regular basis


Why dont we all jump on Wayne for selling us parts at retail? I mean come on he pays parts at wholesale why cant we? Pelican parts makes money because they sell service which is what I strive for in my business.

Ok done venting

[911dean]

Originally Posted by plumb4u2

you have not offended me however what people need to understand is that operating a business such as car repair shop or my business, Plumbing repair company (which are basically the same business) we operate on material mark up and labor cost.

lets say I come to your house and you say "Justin can you install a nice kitchen faucet for me that has pull out spray spout and is guaranteed" I say "of course it will cost $550 installed which includes parts and labor"
Then you say "wait a second let me look online real quick"

Ok you pull up the wonderful HD web site and find the biggest POS faucet Pricefister or whatever and it is advertised at 150.00.....Ok so the first thing that pops in your head is, wait its gonna take him 1hr to install this faucet which means he is charging me 400.00 an hr??????

Before anybody jumps on me this happens in MY business on a regular basis


Why dont we all jump on Wayne for selling us parts at retail? I mean come on he pays parts at wholesale why cant we? Pelican parts makes money because they sell service which is what I strive for in my business.

Ok done venting

Well said. I'm also in the repair business.

[TWOZTER]

Guys,

Was not intending to steal from anybody's livelihood here...my mechanic and I are good with either arrangement, so in my mind that is just him taking care of the customer in whatever way he is comfortable. If he refused to do the work, I would understand and hold no ill will...it is his business and he is free to run it as he pleases. I am fluent in business myself and know how it works...

My biggest concern is having the work taken care of as well and as economical as possible, but realize they aren't always one and the same. I feel fortunate that I have mechanics I can turn to if I get in over my head, etc. and ask them for help, not turn me away. These are the mechanics I go back to. I understand that cannot always be the case in every enterprise.

John

[pharlap71]

I made my living 30+ years turning wrenches and my son in law is a plumber with his on business. When I first started out I gave people a break on parts, but it doesn't take long to realize why the big boys upcharge parts, first the time running around finding and picking up parts, also gas, the time spent on the telephone ordering instead of turning wrenches, and paying someone a salary to do this for you. It has always irritated me that people have such a hard time with paying mechanics. I have a few friends that are medical doctors, you go to them and there is nothing they can do for you, you still pay them, same thing with lawyers.

[kidrock]

Same here. When I say, "all in", I am assuming that your particular wrench is not in the business of allowing his customers to supply parts.

That being said, if you have a mechanic that is OK with you bringing him the parts you wish to be installed, then more power to you.

Honestly, don't we have enough people and places in our lives to play the whole "PC" game?