Thread: Another Dealer or Stealer Whinge

I had an email the other day from a bloke in the UK. Dealer charges 120 pounds per hour - that's A$300 per hour.

Ron

G'day Garrycol

Well, now you know that, that Dealer's labour charges are $132 per Hr, as anything over 5 mins is charged at 1 Hr Min


cheers

Originally Posted by UncleHo

G'day Garrycol

Well, now you know that, that Dealer's labour charges are $132 per Hr, as anything over 5 mins is charged at 1 Hr Min


cheers

Yep ur rite and the stealers wonder people are reluctant to deal with them - like hoteliers - if they charged reasonable charges for the mini-bar maybe they would make some money with increased turnover.

Gazzz

That sucks, and when you consider our Toyota Camrys fob/beeper is $36.90 and you code it yourself in the socket in the glovebox.

LR are very over priced.

Baz.

Think of all the little things that need adjusting etc. If you are charged 1 hours labour you are entitled to recieve 1 hours work. Of course you need to be able to spare 1 hr to stand there and make sure that you receive the full 1 hour you have been charged. (Pay to get it in writing first that the labour charge is $132 and hour and the minimum charge is 1 hour)

If we all do it they might start thinking about it.... Sure they would rather charge less and have the mechanic back in 10 mins working on something else.

Don't know if you bought it there new but if so go see the salesman, he may be able to get it done for you at the cost of the remote... We use to do it with Nissan's for customers because it was good customer service and gave you a chance to at least give out the latest brochure etc. Don't forget in most dealerships sales and service are run as two seperate "divisions". Service guys hated us asking for favours etc but we often got them. (We were often the ones putting beer in their fridge at the end of the week!

The equipment they use to code the fobs is worth around 40K. This unit does all the systems on freeloaders etc and all other models. It is a minimum charge situation to help pay for the equipment. I charge $88 to key in a new $90 fob. If you want more done at the same time or your ABS or SRS reset at the same time, it still cost $88. Flat rate, invoiced as as 'Diagnostic services'. My Rovacom cost me 29K and my Rovacom lite cost me $1500 secondhand with three modules loaded on. I think it is reasonable to expect the service provider to try and recoup some of the costs of diagnostic equipment, especially if it is leased.

JC

Originally Posted by justinc

The equipment they use to code the fobs is worth around 40K. This unit does all the systems on freeloaders etc and all other models. It is a minimum charge situation to help pay for the equipment. I charge $88 to key in a new $90 fob. If you want more done at the same time or your ABS or SRS reset at the same time, it still cost $88. Flat rate, invoiced as as 'Diagnostic services'. My Rovacom cost me 29K and my Rovacom lite cost me $1500 secondhand with three modules loaded on. I think it is reasonable to expect the service provider to try and recoup some of the costs of diagnostic equipment, especially if it is leased.

JC

I am sure you are right but that is why the hourly rate is $132 when actual labour is considerably less - the hourly rate takes all these extra things into account like rent, super, equipment, insurance etc etc etc- if the job took an hour no problems but it at worst takes about 15 minutes - I should be paying for 15 minutes work not 1 hour - as I said the specialist who has the same equipment only charges $50 for the job - and this guy does have a reputation for being expensive.

If stealers had a customer focus maybe they would get more customers and develop a good reputation.


Gazzz

Originally Posted by justinc

The equipment they use to code the fobs is worth around 40K. This unit does all the systems on freeloaders etc and all other models. It is a minimum charge situation to help pay for the equipment. I charge $88 to key in a new $90 fob. If you want more done at the same time or your ABS or SRS reset at the same time, it still cost $88. Flat rate, invoiced as as 'Diagnostic services'. My Rovacom cost me 29K and my Rovacom lite cost me $1500 secondhand with three modules loaded on. I think it is reasonable to expect the service provider to try and recoup some of the costs of diagnostic equipment, especially if it is leased.

JC

However what about all the other labour charges that are blatant dishonesty. If a service has a book time of 1 hour and the service takes 40mins the full hour is charged. That is why mechanics at dealerships are given bonuses based on how quickly they get jobs done and are able to "book" (read charge) for more hours than were worked. Now times that by the over the top labour charge, times by the number of mechanics and times that by the actual hours charged for the day/week etc.

And of course if the book service is 1 hour and it ends up taking 1 1/2hrs the labour charge goes up.

Well aware of the costs of diagnostic equipment. As you said though, key fob programming is only 1 function they provide. (Typical Landrover, most other manufacturers allow for reprogramming through the vehicles system)