£380 for new alternator and belt?

londonTiger

straighttalker wrote: »

So you'd expect a garage to buy parts from Ebay, wait a day for delivery prior to fitting and charge for approximately 2 hours labour? Rubbish.

What happens if the part doesn't fit or there is another problem with it? Raise a paypal dispute whilst the customer's car is off the road?

no wonder the economy is in the dump. Everyone is expected to scrape a living. Ebay seller making £10 profit on each sale. Garage with HUGE overheads on tools, garage, rates etc making minimum wage.

It's a joke.

Good luck with your ebay part - most of them are cheapest quality pattern parts.

khcomp

'no wonder the economy is in the dump. Everyone is expected to scrape a living. Ebay seller making £10 profit on each sale. Garage with HUGE overheads on tools, garage, rates etc making minimum wage.

It's a joke.

Good luck with your ebay part - most of them are cheapest quality pattern parts.'

That's life these days - Most reputable Ebay trade sellers are big companies with a serious turnover. Companies like GSF car parts & OnlineAutomotive use Ebay to sell.
I appreciate that I'm in a very fortunate position here: I found a brilliant local full time mechanic, working from a purpose built garage at his house, with over 40 years experience - he's also an MOT tester at a local garage - and he charges £18 per hour labour (yes, with a proper invoice).
And yes, there are cheap & decent parts available, but items like alternators, brake components, clutches, filters etc. are branded: At least if I buy myself a set of discs & pads, I know what I'm getting - how many people check the brand of the parts fitted to their cars at a large, or franchised garage?
A good friend of mine is parts manager at a local main dealer - apart from a very few items, they buy from the same factor as my £18 an hour mechanic, brand doesn't come into it.