I hate it when people overcharge and over complicate things

VanFaasenC

VanFaasenC

Official Tire Kicker
SO i went to a shop (dealership) for 5 min of computer work. But got charged for 1/2 hour labor and it took them 45 mionutes to get me all done but it was less than 5 min of actual work. By the time the type up an RO and dispatch it and the tech gets it ect...
The car never left the service lane and it took under 5 min of actual work.
 
I installed a new PCM and it needed a CASE relearn which you need a GM Tech II for.
I brought them the instructions and everything.
When I used to work in service (service advisor) I used to just fix stuff in the service lane and not charge people when it was simple stuff and would take longer if a tech needed to do it.
It took longer to write it up then it did to do it.
 
I agree with you, i am an Advisor now and i try to do that for stupid shit (CEL due to loose gas caps and such) But sometimes if im busy i have to give stuff like that to a tech. and then you kinda have to charge the customer going rate.. It is a Flat rate so it really doesnt matter how long it actualyl took them. usually if its easy they will take a few tenths less then normal going rate.
 
Cost me $40 for a supposed 1/2 hour and it was at 5pm today and the shop was very slow. I was tempted to just ask to use the computer and do it my self in the lane but I do business with the dealer and didn't want to stir things up too much.
But that is more reason they should have done it just as a favor.
 
VanFaasenC

First thing i dont think that a dealrship needed your directions

I dont know you or what you do for a living but i bet you get paid a fair wage to do that job. do you realize the cost of the tool that was used to fix your car do you realize the cost of updating software of the tool that fixed your car or the cost of updated reprogram software. Most people dont realize what it cost to even start to work on a car at a facility. how much do you think that the average technician has in tools alone. how much do you think the liability insurance cost to run a repair facility. next time you pay for a service you need to look at some of this we cant import everything from China now can we.
I get tired of hearing how someone always thinks they get f*cked by techinicians and repair shops.
If you could do the repair then you would not have had to worry about paying anyone now would you.

BTW i bet you would think nothing of paying say $450-600 to have your car dyno tuned but complain about a 1/2 hr you pay the dealer for fixing your car
 
I am not trying to throw shops under the bus. I agee with you and understand all those costs and what it take to operate a business.
Sometimes people just amke things harder than they should be. I used to be a service advisor and just sometimes think you can make a customer and $$$ doing things differently.
Per say : If they just did it as a favor I would defintly go out of my way to take my vehicle back and recommend everyone to use their place for service work. It could have turned the the $40 they made today into alot more !!!
 
BADBIRD said:
First thing i dont think that a dealrship needed your directions
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I had talked to them earlier and brought them along due to they came with the part and were specific not trying to tell them how to do their job just trying to be helpful.
 
just saying you cant stay in business without making $$$$$. do you also realize that a lot of dealers and auto repair shops are giving the tech that did the work paycuts. just ask around. Sorry but it just pisses me off when people dont want to pay becuase we usually only get paid for the work that we do.. sorry no offense intended.
 
I would have rather paid the tech $20 off the clock and then I would have saved $$ he would have made More $$$ and it would have gotten done quicker.
 
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VanFaasenC said:
Per say : If they just did it as a favor I would defintly go out of my way to take my vehicle back and recommend everyone to use their place for service work. It could have turned the the $40 they made today into alot more !!!
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Favors dont pay the shop bills. Next thing you know, all your friends will got the shop and say "Why are you charging me $40, you did it for FREE for VanFaasenC !"
 
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exactly friends and family and peolple tha dont want to pay are the worst customers. Example today i had a customer come in and tell me that he has worked on his truck and his steering wheel is 180 out upside down. he asks how much to fix it i quote him .4 hr =$30.00 he asks why so much and would i just tell him how to fix it himself. i looked over at my boss and we started laughing. later he came back and payed $30 becuase he could not figure it out. HAHA so i got payed .4 for about 10 min work..... but did he have the proper tools NO.
 
True I agree but I guess I am I fualting him because I would have done it differently. I understand and paid the $40 but I still don't have to be happy about it! I am someone that is too nice I guess and try to make other people happy sometimes (often) at my own cost.
 
I've had many people come to my old shop and did not like my estimates for Brakes/suspension work....They would go home and try to fix it them selfs only to bring it back with MORE problems...More problems = more $$$
 
yeah but you would be suprised how many people nowadays dont want to pay for a LICENSED TECH to do their job correctly.
not mad at you just trying to make a point.

so what would you do if that job called for .5 and took 1.0 would you still feel that you payed to much. people dont understand that some jobs bite you in the ass and some are gravy.
 
Sal
i sure am glad i have someone else on my side here...it sure is amazing isn't it. i laugh when people tell me it is to much or they want free shit i simply ask do you get payed to work because i dont work for free.
 
BADBIRD said:
Sal
i sure am glad i have someone else on my side here...it sure is amazing isn't it. i laugh when people tell me it is to much or they want free shit i simply ask do you get payed to work because i dont work for free.
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I've been on both sides of the "service desk"....If you were at a mom and pop shop, you would of got a little break but dealers have a ton of overhead!
There's no dealing with them....
 
sometimes though when a shop does something small like that for free, you might be inclined to give them the next paying job for your car. I know I've done that or even recommended them to others
 
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