Advice Required - Garage Charge

DUTR

gener8or wrote: »

Hi, no I don't but I do expect to be reasonably charged. I just dont know if its reasonable.

Independants can charge £20 per corner for the brakes, I suspect the cable replacement may take longer.

AdrianC

lexington013 wrote: »

My garage lets me purchase the parts and charges to fit.

They're unusual.

Apart from anything else, if you supply the wrong bit, they're stuffed while the car's dismantled, taking up a ramp, and you fanny about trying to penny-pinch on the parts.

The very cheapest ECP etc bits tend to be absolute rubbish - most garages will avoid them, because when they fail prematurely, they've got an unhappy customer. If they fail really prematurely, they're doing the job again for free (although not if you've supplied the parts - your problem then).

When they're in charge of parts supply, they lift the phone, and the parts arrive at their door in a van an hour or two later. Maybe there's two alternatives - they'll get both, and send the unneeded one back for credit. Same with drums and wheel bearings - they'll get them, and send back if not needed. The wrong parts arrive? One phone call, the right ones are on the way.

And, of course, their hourly rate is calculated to include revenue from margin on parts.

Full rear brakes, including handbrake cables? At least two, maybe three hours. Let's assume £60/hr + vat = £72 x 3 = £216 labour.

If you want to get your own parts, DIY the work. It's not hard.

lexington013

AdrianC wrote: »

They're unusual.

Apart from anything else, if you supply the wrong bit, they're stuffed while the car's dismantled, taking up a ramp, and you fanny about trying to penny-pinch on the parts.

The very cheapest ECP etc bits tend to be absolute rubbish - most garages will avoid them, because when they fail prematurely, they've got an unhappy customer. If they fail really prematurely, they're doing the job again for free (although not if you've supplied the parts - your problem then).

When they're in charge of parts supply, they lift the phone, and the parts arrive at their door in a van an hour or two later. Maybe there's two alternatives - they'll get both, and send the unneeded one back for credit. Same with drums and wheel bearings - they'll get them, and send back if not needed. The wrong parts arrive? One phone call, the right ones are on the way.

And, of course, their hourly rate is calculated to include revenue from margin on parts.

Full rear brakes, including handbrake cables? At least two, maybe three hours. Let's assume £60/hr + vat = £72 x 3 = £216 labour.

If you want to get your own parts, DIY the work. It's not hard.

Still works out cheaper for me, genuine Volvo parts off eBay from a Volvo dealership, timing belt tensioner etc etc then fitted by my trusted independent.......same goes for my wife’s Audi A4.:beer:

born_again

DUTR wrote: »

Independants can charge £20 per corner for the brakes, I suspect the cable replacement may take longer.

Maybe for changing pads.

Not going to get the physical drums changed for that amount.

debtdebt

gener8or wrote: »

Hi, no I don't but I do expect to be reasonably charged. I just dont know if its reasonable.

So how many hours labour does the job require then? You should know that given that you think the price seems expensive.

Mercdriver

OP ask one of the Freds. They are delusional about such things and might be able to help.

What if you buy the cheapest parts and they fail? How do you decide whether it is poor fitting or poor quality parts? How do you know the garage will buy the exact same parts that you have priced up? There are so many variables. I'm not sure I would want to have those variables when you are dealing with brakes.