Posted by Mark in NJ on Sunday, January 15, 2006 at 9:58PM :
In Reply to: Re: SHOP REPAIR RATES? posted by Allen Patnode on Sunday, January 15, 2006 at 9:15PM :
I had my F-350 diesel water pump changed. I diagnosed it and Brian Z in TX helped with advice.
Since I did not have the tool for the fan removal, and it was 20F out, I felt it was better to have a shop or dealer do the work.
When I asked them to drop in a thermostat,(a $10-$15 part), they said said that they would have to charge full labor for a thermostat job.
Meanwhile, it would take them an "extra" few minutes to find the part on the shelf, open the box, take it out, and drop it in. They have to put the old one back in anyway.
I think that is really sleazy and wrong to charge for hours that they do not work.
It is a nice system that if the mechanic gets the job done in 2 hours and you get billed for the rated four.
I do plenty of work in peoples homes fixing wood work/cabinets etc. If I am at someone home and they ask me to spend a few minutes fixing another item, should I charge them a seperated service call????
Of course NOT!!!
Just a few thoughts.
Mark in NJ