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I was just quoted $836 for two struts one in front and one in the back cause they are leaking? I am just a girl in the city and wants to know if this is a reasonable price. I have 2003 Eclipse..
Did this price include replacing the front strut plates and a 4 wheel alignment?
Do they give you a written estmate?
Old saying but still true today... Try taking your own eggs into McDonalds and ask them to fry 'em up for you and see what happens. Same concept.
This is not the same concept because you are talking about FOOD. Regardless, if you could do this, you are much better off bringing in your own free range organic eggs for them to cook instead of eating THERE eggs that come from stressed out, drugged up, chickens that were stuffed in there cages there whole life.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gimme3steps
Bottom line: Auto repair shops are in business to make money and selling parts is a substantial part of that income. Take that away and the labor rate has to rise to make up the difference.
Another thing: There is no way a shop can offer any sort of warranty on customer provided parts and that can only lead to potential trouble down the road if there is a problem with the part. In that case the shop and the customer both lose.
You "ONLINE" mechanics are funny.
Most shops have a labor rate that is posted and they don't charge EXTRA if you decide to bring your own part in. Maybe that's what YOU would do (if you even work on cars) but I have NEVER encountered a shop that did this.
Furthermore, I would argue that the amount a shop charges for labor is actually where they make the bulk of there money, so certain shops don't care if you bring your parts in, so as long as the parts are NEW and they are the correct parts.
Secondly, if she buys a part online such as a Koni shock, Koni has a warranty that comes with the shock regardless if she puts it on herself or takes it to a shop.
So my point is, if she really cares about her car, and she does not plan to sell it, it's a better to buy quality parts yourself instead of letting the shop put on there cheep parts then charging you up the for it. Shops are notorious for doing this.
Regardless, girlincity, I'm just offering my advice and you don't haft to go my way it's just a suggestion.
[quote=Morphous01;10842562]You "ONLINE" mechanics are funny.
Most shops have a labor rate that is posted and they don't charge EXTRA if you decide to bring your own part in. Maybe that's what YOU would do (if you even work on cars) but I have NEVER encountered a shop that did this.[quote/]
Not on any one particular job but if enough customers bring their own parts, yes the labor rate will have to go up.
So a shop should give up a portion of what they make on a job because the customer brings their own parts? If a given job is 75% labor and 25% parts, they should lose that 25% ?
[quote=Morphous01;10842562]Furthermore, I would argue that the amount a shop charges for labor is actually where they make the bulk of there money, so certain shops don't care if you bring your parts in, so as long as the parts are NEW and they are the correct parts.[quote/]
Wrong. The bulk may come from labor, but parts profit is very much an important part of this business.
[quote=Morphous01;10842562]Secondly, if she buys a part online such as a Koni shock, Koni has a warranty that comes with the shock regardless if she puts it on herself or takes it to a shop.[quote/]
If a shop provides the parts and there is a warranty problem, the customer is covered. If the customer provides the parts and there's a problem then what? You pay the labor again which you pointed out is the bulk of the money. On a big job like struts, you're paying twice for the same job.
Another point is liability. In this lawsuit happy world, I don't know of any reputable shop willing to take that chance.
[quote=Morphous01;10842562]So my point is, if she really cares about her car, and she does not plan to sell it, it's a better to buy quality parts yourself instead of letting the shop put on there cheep parts then charging you up the for it. Shops are notorious for doing this.[quote/]
Old saying but still true today... Try taking your own eggs into McDonalds and ask them to fry 'em up for you and see what happens. Same concept.
.
I agree that the chain shops are this way, but your local smaller shops will do this all day long and be glad for the work. Struts/Shocks are easy to replace for a small shop, so it's not like they have to go into the motor.
I agree that the chain shops are this way, but your local smaller shops will do this all day long and be glad for the work. Struts/Shocks are easy to replace for a small shop, so it's not like they have to go into the motor.
Maybe so. Every shop has a different policy. I've never worked in a shop that desperate for work.
With Morphous, I think you're talking to a 17-year old kid, not your basic adult.
You got that right. Hey, did you buy that Econoline van?
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