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valve adjustment quote

2K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  rocky raccoon 
My indy recently raised the price from $90 to $120. They charge $90/hour. His explanation had something to do with the shop now using a different procedure manual w different "rates", etc...I guess they changed the book from which they get their "book rates".

Regardless, $270 is way too much.
Different companies sell those "Flat Rate" Manuals. Depending on which company's Flate Rate Manual you buy the Rate will be higher or lower.

So Shops by the Flate Rate Manual that give them a higher rate.
When a Customer questions the repair cost they pull the Flat Rate Manual out and point to the charge. That normally shuts the Customer up.

This works because we believe something that is written over what someone tells us.

Like the "Kelly Blue Book" on used Cars the Flate Rate Manuals are supposed to be used as a guide: a guide for Shops doing work on a Vehicle that they have never done before and do not no how long the Job will take and do not know what to charge (it also estimates how long the job would take).
Instead it has been turned into a Scam.
 
Yeah, tell me about it. Unfortunately I'm not equipped to do many repairs myself and haven't found a good shop in SD that doesn't use book rates etc.
Are you close enough to a State line that you could to out of state to have the work done?

There was a comment that I read that seems to be true "If you own a old Mercedes you are either rich or a Mechanic".

In the particular case I would give the Mercedes Dealer a call and see what their charge would be.

I used to be a Diesel Mechanic and my pressure rises when I read about overcharging for jobs.
And, even with the high prices they often do a bad job.

Your best defense is to start learning some new skills!
 
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