SMKD6

iTrader: (1)

Just had to get the car towed and had the starter replaced. The parts charge for the starter was at $375+. Is this normal? I ended up paying over $500 for the tow+labor+the starter cost. This seems really high to me. Anyone have any input?????

lmdz28

Yes I think that is a little steep. I knowa starter would cost about 175.00 at most with core.

SMKD6

iTrader: (1)

So $60 towing charge plus $80 in labor. They charged $375 for the starter. They had my car for 1 1/2 hours at the most. Why such a charge for the starter? Or did they just jack up the price to cover for the "labor" on a cold Saturday?

How did you know the price of the starter? Did I just get had?

b00sted

iTrader: (7)

$75 for a tow, $150-175 for the starter, and 1-2 hours of shop time. So I could see $350-$400 depending on the parts and shop rate of course.

MetallicaMatt

iTrader: (19)

1-2 hours of shop time?

I can't see it taking even an hour to throw it on the lift, and swap it out??

SMKD6

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys for the input. Sucks having to pay more than anticipated for something that should have been $400 at the most.

MetallicaMatt

iTrader: (19)

Is this for a dealership or for a shop to do the work? Dealerships charge a higher labor $/hour than shops (usually)

SMKD6

iTrader: (1)

Local shop. Less than a 10 mile tow and less than 2hrs of time they had the car. Lot closer to 1.5 hours of shop time. Like I said before, the labor was only $80 of the total $511 and change.

nofearracing28

iTrader: (7)

Should take 1.8 hours. Whatever the shop rate is X's 1.8 plus parts. If its an absolute needed thing, then parts will jack up the price alot.

SMKD6

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the replies guys. Guess it makes it a little easier to understand spending a bit more money than expected. Still no fun paying more than anticipated!

b00sted

iTrader: (7)

Shops go by what the book says, not how long it actually takes...For the most part.

If the book says it takes 6 hours to do something, even though it only takes the mechanic 2 maybe, they still usually charge for 6. That's how quick mechanics and quick shops make their money.

SMKD6

iTrader: (1)

So I guess even if I had been billed only $80 in labor + $60 for the tow and $375 for the starter??? They jacked the price on the starter and invoiced it to me at $375? They "skewed" the price of the part to cover for what-the cold temperature??

b00sted

iTrader: (7)

Why'd you take it to a shitty shop?

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

YUP......

CRAZZ28

iTrader: (13)

I bet that is what they did. the shop will charge labor by what the manual says it will take. The shop probably charged the extra $$ on the starter because you waited on the car and would have refused to pay a labor bill for say 4 hrs when you know it took 1.5.

ibanez7

iTrader: (7)

exactly!!!

the other considering is, lets assume the shop you went too did not have that starter, however a local GM dealership did, OEM parts always cost more. So maybe your shop did buy and use an OEM part. they paid the OEM premium then tacked on another 10-20% for you to pay.

I would find out what kind of starter it is, then worry if you where dragged backwards through a prison with your pants down or not.

If your shop used a duralast autozone starter, then yeah they marked up the cost 100% atleast!


it sucks being screwed over by a shop, however if your car is a DD and you needed it running immediately, then yeah you get screwed into paying the price. Most every car owner has, so dont feel too bent over about it.

Just remember next time, ask on ls1tech, for the help first. One of us would have known to charge your $700-$1000 LOL j/k

SMKD6

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for most of the replies guys! Live and learn I guess.

xpndbl3

iTrader: (23)

shops don't charge you autozone prices, they add a percentage to that, to pay for delivery fees, etc.

Matt_WS6_00

I feel your pain I just had to replace mine. 400 bucks, nothing I could do about my ta is also my DD. I did get a nice warranty with it tho.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Starter takes 15 minutes once the car is up in the air, it's just a few bolts. But shops have overhead it's not like the shop owners all drive S class Mercedes. Most shop guys I know are paying a lot for equipment loans/leases etc.