Over the years I have been badgered by people who want me to work on their car on the side as opposed to taking to the shop. The one I like I usually tell them that all my good tools are at work, I don't have the equipment to do that. The ones I don't like I tell them that it will cost twice as much as if they went to the shop and had the work done. Why do people think that mechanics want to work on cars 24hrs. a day?
Enough babbling. Here are the questions:

What do you do for a living and how often do others ask you to do your chosen profession on the side?

How often do you do side work and do you charge more or less for it?

Have fun!

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Scott Diener
89 300E
93 300E
92 Volvo 740 Wagon aka "Mutt mover"

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2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

I'm a barrister and friends and acquaintances are forever bringing me their legal problems. Like I want to work in my spare time for free?? Don't do it.

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JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190

Well, ALL the work I do is on the side. I used to do a lot more moonlighting when I had a full time job. The money was just too good to pass up. For some jobs, up to $1000 clear for a day's work. Not too shabby.

Kuan

What about the front and back
I will help a couple friends with their early 80-'s diesels. This morning I installed a right rear window glass, changed the oil/filter and replaced some of the diesel fuel return hoses on a 300SD for $60. I had one guy ask me about replacing rotors/pads on a 1991 Volvo. I told him $120+parts and have not heard back from him. I really don't have a desire to work on anything except the early 80's diesels. I have to enjoy it.

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Jim

I work as a Cashier/Customer Serivce and people are always asking me to do work on there cars but I always say no. I don't like to do work on other peoples stuff because if I screw up.......
I do a website for a program in the county here just to earn a few more bucks other than that nothin

Quote:

What about the front and back

Hey Jim, its just a one dimensional question for now. Maybe two if you count both sides. Will do front and back at a later time.

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Scott Diener
89 300E
93 300E
92 Volvo 740 Wagon aka "Mutt mover"

Chowpit,

I have two sets of tools, one at work and one at home... so I do sidework when I can, but its a pain not having a lift, a/c recovery machine, etc at home. also I normally leave my specialty stuff at work, so I need advance notice to bring home my scanner, spring compressors, pullers, etc.. Also, people who want sidework done are on such tight time schedules and budgets that it causes you grief... For things that people would leave their cars at the shop for a week, they want to pick up the same day... pain in the ass if you are trying to find intermittent driveability problems. On an up side, its a great thing to have a set of airtools and a compressor at home... saves me time,money, and makes things easier. BTW, havent spoken to ya in a while, good news, I passed A1,A6,A8 in may.


Jason McNeese