dont like putting parts you already have on?
I've always been told it's so the can mark up prices on stuff they sell,but the charge $40 an hr anyway so at least they'd make something putting my parts on!

 

Most shops warranty their repairs, by using their own parts and marking them up, I'm guessing they are giving themselves a cushion in the event the part later becomes defective and they need to repair it.

 

I don't believe that is true across the board---however if everyone provided their own parts the shops may not enjoy the discounts that they might otherwise get when they buy from wholesalers. Whether they pass those savings on to the consumer is another issue.

BTW, if you can find a reliable mechanic for that little, don't worry about the parts costs, unless they are way out of line.

One other thing to consider is that when you furnish your own parts, you pretty much are telling the mechanic that you are not interested in what they might have to suggest---and this puts you at a disadvantage since they are the so-called pros and whether you take their advice or not is not relevant. AT least you get the benefit of their opinion.

E.g. if you furnish a part that they know will not fit without modifications and can offer a viable alternative that will plug and play----you negate the benefit by providing them the part.

Experience has taught me to discuss up front with the mechanic the parts, brands, etc that you would like them to use---give them the opportunity to offer any opinions, advice, etc. If for some reason you disagree with them then that is the time that you insist on a particular part and make sure it is in writing in the order. JMHO

 

Its just brakes and rotors.I dont want to do it myself because its too cold.I figured to just let someone else do it,but gee whiz...its like asking someone to cure cancer.

 

Thats why God made gloves, coats and boots. Stop being a puss and go out and change them. I just did a cam and spring swap, brakes would be a breeze. Where do you live anyways?

PS Not LT1 Engine Tech.

And WELCOME TO THE BOARD.

-Dustin-

 

A Shop Does'nt Make All Of It's Living From Labor. You Will Be Surprised How Many Shops Shoot For A 50/50 Split On Parts & Labor.

 

I worked in a small town shop for 4 years, and yeah it might sound like 40/hr is a lot but by the time you pay the tech, the light bill, the insurance, wear and tear on tools, lifts, and the use of shop materials, the profit is not as much as you think. thats where selling the parts comes in. thats where most of the profit (at least for a small shop) is at. not to mention if that rotor or caliper some how is deffective and causes an accident guess who gets sued.

 

I do it on the side to make extra cash. Charge $40 an hour (about half of area shops), and I will mark up the labor if you bring me the parts. (there is also no warranty if it fails)After all, I would have made more money buying them at a discount and then marking them up a bit. A shop has to make money just like you have to get paid for a days work.

If you can do the work but choose not to because it's cold out. Don't cry when you get my bill. I don'y do this to be a friend, it pays my bills.

Re'

 

i have 3 shops here that will put on any part I supply since they all know I am doing performance based stuff and they cannot get parts that meet my expectation

 

I went throug hell getting a rear end replaced and rebuilt using parts that I got for the shop itself.

First 10 bolt take off, was bad.. So I had to get another one

Got that one,a nd also gave htem a rebuilt kit.
The rebuild didn't exactly work, lets just say, and the shop said the rebuild kit must have defective bearings, so it was up to me yet agan to get replacement parts. At that point, I took the shops suggestion and they ordered the parts for me, and it worked out great.


Next time anything major has to be done, like an engine repair/replacement, I'm going to explicitly sit down with the shop and ask them what they wanted to get for parts, and discuss if they will cover the parts themselves and charge me a resonable price, and what exactly will happen if things go wrong. After you go through all the details, suddenly you realilze, wow, thats why those big tuner shops that offer full warrenty on their work charge more!

Else you might as well do it yourself.

 

 

IT'S LIKE GOING TO MCDONALDS W/ YOUR MEAT AND BUN, AND ASKING THEM TO COOK IT FOR YOU.

I SAID "YOUR MEAT AND BUN"

 

This is the reason I work on my own cars. Who cares if its cold out. Man up and just do it. On these cars a brake and rotor job should only take a total of 45 min tops. I bet you 500 bucks I could do it all in 30 min as long as I get to use my impact wrench on the wheels off and on.

 

In this case it probably has more to do with the fact that it is brake parts than their markup or anything else. In many cases their insurance company will have guidelines (which vary from policy to policy and state to state) especially when it comes to brake work.

 

especially if it a "Chain Store" like Pepboy / sears etc., as sicne their companies are so large I hear they have very very stict guidelines as what they can or can't do for company polices + insurances polices... and I have to say $40 per hour is a nice price: last I heard there was an industry standrd set for labur time on jobs and then billed at a flat rate of $70 per hour. something like mitchell standard?? but it's been a long time since I have had a mechanic do anything other than putting on new tires.