I source all of my parts and purchase them dirt cheap, so when I call a shop I ask for LABOR estimate only. I mean, LABOR is the risk- not the part. Am I wrong here? for example, if I were a high-rise window washer, I would demand a high salary because the actual JOB itself is a risk- I wouldnt demand high payment for my window washing fliud, now would I? It is the same fluid used on the street...right?
So, in my estimation, $60-$90 per hour is a fine living for a mechanic. But now he wants to jack prices on parts 75% too.
Ethically, you cant charge someone 1/5 the cost of the entire value of an automobile for a service job that is to be done by someone whose JOB it is to fix things.
The mentality of a professional mechanic is like that of a lawyer that works for Dewey, Cheetum and Howe. Yes, this statement is baseless, offensive, and distesteful, but, from my mechanic experience, you walk into their shop and they say to themselves, "How much can I squeeze this sucker for?"
I am not a sucker. I will get this done and then share with the world exactly how I did it and the total cost.
I suppose that this thread exposes the nature of the beast. The harder the job seems, the more likely one is to be taken advantage of.
So, my feeling is that, because I refuse to be taken advantage of and asked for a fair labor price, the shops do not see a high profit margin from having me as a custmer. Never mind the chance to help out your fellow human just trying to make it. Never mind the reputation that may come with being honest. Nah. It is way easier to simply deny me fair service and make the same ridiculous profit from some other poor jacka$$ for a tune up, oil change and rotation. (All of which I can do in 1 hour on my VW).
I am not looking for sympathy. Just tossing ideas around.
Also, as far as there being alot of 23 yr. old Mercedes around, well, here I am, in the home of the GreaseCar Company and all day every day you see neuvo-hippies rolling around in their greased 300D's, so there should be some competition, eh? We all know that neuvo-hippies are cheap, no? Thats why they run on grease....