How would you know this?
>
How do I know how the shops do business??? I've read the training material they use to increase profits.
RK
>> On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:55:48 -0800, snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote: >>
>>>I'm used to using the dodge dealer where i bought my truck so this
>>>question never came up. Now that I'm starting to use other shops, i'm
>>>wondering how much they typically mark up the parts they order. I
>>>just went to an NTB/Merchants place for new front upper ball joints on
>>>my dodge truck. Total cost was about $625. Each ball joint costs
>>>about $140 on my estimate (and receipt). But i know now that if i
>>>had gone to an autoparts store, they'd cost about half that. So is
>>>it typical for a 100% markup at these shops?
>>>The rest of the $625 was for labor (and shop fees and taxes)....and
>>>there was considerable labor
>>>because the old ball joints had to (sort of) cut out of the upper
>>>control arm. (side note: The ball joints normally come as part of
>>>the upper control arm, and they could have just replaced the whole
>>>upper control arm (they told me that was an option), but they said it
>>>would cost more and not even be necessary or better, though i'm
>>>realizing now that it probably would've been better to replace the
>>>whole UCA since i'd get a new one at slightly higher cost)....ANYWAY,
>>>my main question has to do with these markups of parts. Could i have
>>>just bought the parts myself and have them install? (i'm
>>>unmechanical) thanks.
>>
>>
>> Most charge double what it cost them. Overall, the typical
>> expectation at a shop is that every job will consist of somewhere
>> between 50% labor and 50% parts to 33% labor and 66% parts. They
>> really don't like doing labor only jobs because they make a lot more
>> off the parts then they do off the labor. They also charge flat rate
>> labor at most shops and a good experienced mechanic will be able to do
>> most repairs in less time then the flat rate so they come out ahead
>> there too. Last time I had front end work done they estimated the job
>> like yours, using the old control arm and putting new ball joints in
>> so it had a little extra labor, then when they were done they had used
>> a new control arm, which cost more for the parts, and still charged
>> the same total labor even though the arm saved them RR time for the
>> ball joint. So they screwed me there for an extra hour or so. >