Raped...on labor costs
04-06-2007, 07:08 PM
#1
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Raped...on labor costs Yup... today i was looking through an old receipt from the shop, the guy changed 2 plugs, flushed the coolant and refilled, changed air filter, and a little more misc stuff.
The total cost of the parts he used was around $60, and the labor cost was $260!!!!
Does anyone know where to find a simple tutorial on how to change out the plugs,coil packs, and other common problems that need replacing for a 98 firebird v6? I really dont feel like going to the mechanic next time something needs replacing and him charging an arm and a leg for something you can do yourself, if you know how to
The total cost of the parts he used was around $60, and the labor cost was $260!!!!
Does anyone know where to find a simple tutorial on how to change out the plugs,coil packs, and other common problems that need replacing for a 98 firebird v6? I really dont feel like going to the mechanic next time something needs replacing and him charging an arm and a leg for something you can do yourself, if you know how to
04-06-2007, 07:13 PM
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Tools and a haynes book. thats it. If you are mechnically inclined it should be a easy compaired to not being inclined and reading tech. books and not knowing that touching a live wire with a metal tool = not so fun.
04-06-2007, 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by woswill
...and a little more misc stuff.
charge $75-$100K per hour for labor. 2.5 hours worth of
labor and there's your $260. It's irrelevant how difficult or easy
the tasks are...time is time.
You really should do all the general maintenance yourself.
04-06-2007, 08:38 PM
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That's about the going rate w/shops costs I'd think, good move deciding to do it yourself. Don't know of any tutorials though, sorry, maybe theres something in the search, google maybe?
04-06-2007, 09:29 PM
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I'd second the recommendation for a Haynes manual available at your local Pep Boys or what have you. The following sites are also extremely helpful.
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/guides.htm
http://shbox.com/page/index.html
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/guides.htm
http://shbox.com/page/index.html
04-06-2007, 09:39 PM
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agreed
Originally Posted by unit213
What does "a little more misc stuff" include? Shops generally
charge $75-$100K per hour for labor. 2.5 hours worth of
labor and there's your $260. It's irrelevant how difficult or easy
the tasks are...time is time.
You really should do all the general maintenance yourself.
charge $75-$100K per hour for labor. 2.5 hours worth of
labor and there's your $260. It's irrelevant how difficult or easy
the tasks are...time is time.
You really should do all the general maintenance yourself.
anywhere ive worked most parts are marked up atleast 25% over retail.
when will people learn to get there own parts if they can get them cheaper.
04-06-2007, 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by unit213
What does "a little more misc stuff" include? Shops generally
charge $75-$100K per hour for labor. 2.5 hours worth of
labor and there's your $260. It's irrelevant how difficult or easy
the tasks are...time is time.
You really should do all the general maintenance yourself.
charge $75-$100K per hour for labor. 2.5 hours worth of
labor and there's your $260. It's irrelevant how difficult or easy
the tasks are...time is time.
You really should do all the general maintenance yourself.
Holy Crap! Typical labor around my neck of the woods is about $45 per hour, maybe $55 at a really nice dealership.
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04-07-2007, 12:54 AM
#9
Originally Posted by unit213
Shops usually
charge $75-$100K per hour for labor.
charge $75-$100K per hour for labor.
Last edited by BLK85; 04-07-2007 at 01:25 AM.
04-07-2007, 01:11 AM
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It's about $105 p/h at the dealer I work at, being Lexus and an "elite" car company they can get away with that 
. Being I have all the tools and a lift I do all the work on mine and my faimly's vehicles. My dads gotten into the habbit of taking the cars to a the respective dealers and having them give him a quote, then having me do the work for almost half of what thhe dealer was going to charge, that way he gets a deal and he knows I did the work, and it was done correctly. In a year or so we've already saved well over a grand of parts and labor.
. Being I have all the tools and a lift I do all the work on mine and my faimly's vehicles. My dads gotten into the habbit of taking the cars to a the respective dealers and having them give him a quote, then having me do the work for almost half of what thhe dealer was going to charge, that way he gets a deal and he knows I did the work, and it was done correctly. In a year or so we've already saved well over a grand of parts and labor.
04-07-2007, 07:06 AM
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Well, if not that, if there are F-Body guys in your area, usually all it will cost ya is around a case of beer and some time, great way to make friends! Most F-Body guys come cheaper than a dealership and will actually teach you in the process!
04-07-2007, 08:29 AM
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Shop Labor At the shop i work at its 75 an hour. Dont do it yourself if you have no machanical skills, For one shops offer a warranty (Note the high price) it may set u back a little but it sure as hell beat stripping a spark plug hole or something that could put you back majorly. Not only that having a trained tech diagnose your car ensures its fixed instead of hanging on parts you dont need. I myself can do all my own work and have the luxury of a lift and all the tools i need but i know how it is if you dont have that also. And defenatly dont take your car to a dealer they suck unless you know a machanic that you trust that works there. Doing it yourself is good but just be careful and dont **** your car up bc then you will be hurting real bad in the waller.
04-07-2007, 09:32 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by SHINER
i do all my mods (heads, cam, clutch, intake, exhaust, etc.) myself and also perform my own maintance. It has saved me literally over 4 grand in labor.
a ported Eaton on my Cobra. I called it quits after that. I'd rather
just pay the $$$ and not have to hassle with it. I used to enjoy the
learning experience. I certainly don't know all there is to know about
cars, but I know enough to where there isn't much of a learning
experience anymore in terms of installing mods.
04-07-2007, 09:34 AM
#19
Administrator
Originally Posted by 00_STANG_KILLER
At the shop i work at its 75 an hour. Dont do it yourself if you have no machanical skills, For one shops offer a warranty (Note the high price) it may set u back a little but it sure as hell beat stripping a spark plug hole or something that could put you back majorly. Not only that having a trained tech diagnose your car ensures its fixed instead of hanging on parts you dont need. I myself can do all my own work and have the luxury of a lift and all the tools i need but i know how it is if you dont have that also. And defenatly dont take your car to a dealer they suck unless you know a machanic that you trust that works there. Doing it yourself is good but just be careful and dont **** your car up bc then you will be hurting real bad in the waller.
For people who may not know, the "high" labor rates at good shops
are actually quite reasonable when you consider all the labor, burden,
overhead, warranty, piece of mind, etc.