sachilles wrote:
Many of the shops local to me post a "bring your own parts" labor rate that is about 50% higher than their normal rate.
It makes sense to me, as they don't know that the part they are installing is good or bad.
That said $5100 must have been a bit of surprise. Even though you didn't ask for an estimate, you should have asked for a ballpark figure. The shop also would have been wise to mention something along the lines....."you know this is going to be several grand, don't you?"
So I think both sides are at fault to a certain extent.
The $5100 make more sense in certain parts of the country compared to others. Labor rates certainly vary greatly across the country.
Good points. I think it's poor form for both parties involved to not get the terms (price and aesthetics, in this case) straight before starting the job. Especially on a race car, where labor can add up fast and some racers would say a jumble of wires (or whatever may be the case) is fine if it's cheaper and works just the same. I'm surprised the shop didn't mention this was going to be a tough job (timeline and labor hours), but I'm also surprised the customer expected it cheap, fast, and easy. That's a huge list of work to be done days before an event.
To the ones saying shops/mechanics have to upcharge on parts to break even as part of the business model, I don't necessarily agree. Sure, they get volume discounts with open accounts and upcharge on parts sales to make a few bucks, but that's just a cherry on top and isn't requisite to keep the doors open at a decent shop IMO. Helps profits, but if your business model RELIES on parts profits from every single customer just to keep the doors open, time for a reevaluation.
Far more important than the profit on upcharging parts is sourcing from reputable suppliers/stores IMO. If the customer brings in Chinazone rotors and pads because they were $7 instead of $70, they did save money but they'll be griping about the squeaking, warping, etc. in no time...what then? If they bring in a water pump from craaaaazydeals.com and it leaks immediately, do you think they're going to pay the shop labor twice AND pay for another water pump from the shop? If the customer supplied cheaper part takes an extra hour to install ($$) compared to the shop supplied part that was $$ more, do you think the customer will understand if you have to upcharge them? Rarely! The people who think they should be able to bring in their own parts to save some dough are usually the exact same customers who don't think they should have to pay extra labor costs when said parts cause problems. That's fine and dandy with your cousin/uncle/brother trying to help you save a buck, but shops can't keep the doors open if they're always trying to help you save a buck at their expense.
I've had the "save money on parts, install parts three times" bite me in the ass before. On my budget projects like LeMons or $2009 I'll still take a chance, but I've learned my lesson when helping out friends. If I'm helping them out, they buy the parts I told them to buy or I'm not helping them...I don't mind helping out, but I do mind doing the job twice.
Bryce
