Thread: Yallr payin HOW much?

I don't want a flame war here but it did irritate me a bit last time I got a service and paid the quoted amount then GST, (which is unavoidable mostly) then I got charged for garage consumables. I mean WTF I don't care if the mechanic needs soap, towels, clean overalls, a babe calender etc I don't want to pay for that, (but I did).

I work with computers I wouldn't turn up to a business and say:
I'm charging you for cleaning/pressing of todays suit
a % charge for soap and shampoo I used this morning
% charge for wipes if I get dirty hands
wear on my car
wear on my screwdriver
paper & ink for your invoice
batteries for my PDA
wear on said PDA
wear on stylus to operate PDA
% charge for internet connection to download drivers
etc
etc
etc

See what I mean? I don't turn up and say It'll cost you X an hour then add on X % for this and that.

All the consumables/charges are set against tax bills, (as we all know) so why should I pay it? Next time I going to argue the point.

As for rates of pay, yes a mechanic should get paid more that $17 an hour if they are time served that's a bit of an insult.
A trade is a trade.

Originally Posted by EchiDna

I would have thought stock control would be critical for a larger franchised car dealer workshop? especially if they are running 3 brands and say 20 models of vehicle per brand? how the heck would you keep track of which brand/model of oil filters are in stock (or not) for 60 car models without stock control software? this is afterall how most places identify where to find said part in the first place - (for example) look in the database to find that the part you want is in aisle C, shelf X, available units 3, 2 backordered for delivery on Oct 28th, unit price $4.23 plus GST... if the software is smart, it will even order replacement parts automatically from distribution HQ at the appropriate time based on past sales history... to add the info that you have taken 1 of the 3 available units for use in client ABC123's job (which later ends up on ABC123's invoice) is what I would think is normal?

or are landrover dealers really THAT far back in the dark ages?

You really don't want to know how it all "works" here...

nor here .

What it really comes down to in regards to these added charges is that if mechanics/dealerships are going to remove them from their invoices, they will just increase their hourly rate.

You'll still end up paying whatever they feel like charging. Go somewhere else if you don't want to pay that much. I think the most I have ever paid in misc was under $10. Whether I pay that as a misc or higher labour doesn't make any difference to me.

I personally don't ever want to see an itemised bill to that extent from my mechanic. So long as I know what was done I am happy to accept that the hourly rate covers much more than just the guy's wages who worked on the car.

Originally Posted by BigJon

You really don't want to know how it all "works" here...

I'm scared to ask...

Originally Posted by EchiDna

I'm scared to ask...

I am scared to explain...

Considering the original post I thought I would add that I have no idea what the hourly rate is for my mechanic. I've been going to him for about 6-7 years and I'm happy with what he charges overall and the work his workshop does.

Plus he is a nice guy and always remembers my name and car. Even if only my wife's corolla goes there these days.

He has told me his workshop is a Land Rover free zone. His son even owns a Td5 Defender and his son's inlaws have Land Rovers

Yeh, our flat rate is $75 an hour. For some particular vehicles the rate goes up. We service a few rolls and whatnot. I sometimes curse the fact that we cant charge more on some things...