My dad is pissed off because my husband charged my brother 80 dollars to put on a new water pump on his car.Not 80 dollars an hour but just 80 dollars. It took him over two hours to put it on. My dad thinks my husband charged too much. They don’t understand that he has to make money too but my family thinks that since I’m married to him that he should just do everyone favors all the time. It drives me nuts!!!!
2006-08-17 07:42:43 · 20 answers · asked by estephania2182 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Isn't that the idea behing marrying a mechanic...lol
It's okay once in a while if someone is hard up for cash and can't afford it. But not on a normal basis.
2006-08-17 07:49:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your husband works full time for an employer in the automotive repair industry he is kicking his own ***. His employer most likely works very hard to insure that there is enough work in his shop to keep your husband working full time. Often employees see nothing wrong with a bit of money under the table not realizing what the net effect is having on their long term employment. By doing this type of work he is promoting dishonesty and most likely loosing a valuable portion of his life which should be spent with his wife and kids. At the end of the day all he bought was bad feelings which now has struck the whole family. Being a mechanic myself I share your and his frustration with family member request. My answer is I respct my employers rules pertaining to back yard work and have decided to spend more time with my wife and kids. Your life will be more fufilling and his decision respected. Great question, spend more time together life can be great on the same budget without the stress.
2006-08-17 08:20:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey there,
I had to laugh when I read your comments.
I have been turning wrenches for over 25 years and now run a fleet maintenance facility for a municipality. I turn wrenches on my off hours for some extra cash and work on cars, trucks and Harley's. Most of my time seems to be taken up by working for free on "family" cars instead of working on pay jobs that I have to turn down because "family" members can't or wont do the simple maintenance that is required. The result is always emergency breakdowns at the worst times and then they ***** about the cost of the parts !!!
It's very frustrating !
I understand and don't mind doing this for family, but "family" keeps getting bigger and I'm running out of hours.
I'm thinking about moving !!!!!
Good luck .
2006-08-17 08:57:09 · answer #3 · answered by jarhed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK that is not right. I am going to massage school and people think they can ask me for a free massage. I could do it, but then where would i get in life if i did all my work for free. I charged my dad five bucks for a 20 minute massage. That is d@mn cheap. I am charging full price. They need to understand that your husband didn't become a mechanic so he could do things for free. tinstaafl. that means, there is no such thing as a free lunch. And d@mn straight there aint. Nothing is free these days. Help them to understand that if you husband don't get paid then you don't either. Y'all share that money. (if you do or don't, its a good excuse.) Let your dad be mad. At least your man brought home some "bacon".
2006-08-17 07:52:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a travesty that families get in an uproar over things like this, but it happens all the time. You just have to stick to your guns. By the way, 80 bucks isn't bad at all for a water pump replacement. They can be a real pain in the butt to install.
2006-08-17 17:57:45 · answer #5 · answered by Gnome 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I made it a specific point that i wont work on family cars for this reason, now in the event it was expensive i would charge a reasonable rate. tell your dad to go pay someone else than he will understand that your husband is being reasonable or tell your husband not to work on family vehicles. i would chose the later and also, dont answer those mechanical questions. piss em off now or ???
2006-08-17 07:50:50 · answer #6 · answered by Christian 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dear, I work in history, but have a good deal of mechanical experience. People bring cars over to my house to be fixed all of the time, friends, family, friends of family, friends of friends, and none of them expect to pay--nor do I charge. It's just human nature. I can only imagine if I were a certified ASAE mechanic how bad it might get. I'd have to start charging just to get any peace.
2006-08-17 08:53:09 · answer #7 · answered by anonymourati 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think thats a bunch of crap, just because hes a mechanic doesnt mean he should be their round the clock personal mechanic that doesn't get paid. A favor is a favor but when you push it over the limit that's not fair to the person who has to do it. He has to make a living too.
2006-08-17 07:55:24 · answer #8 · answered by jc2946 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to explain to your family that for everything your husband does for them, takes away from his time to earn money for the family so unless they are going to start paying your bills outright, you are going to have to charge. It is the same with me being a tax preparer. My family thought I would do all for free and I said No, only my parents and grandparents are free. But I do give them all a discount.
2006-08-17 07:51:50 · answer #9 · answered by Michelle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe i am old fashion but he is part of the family and familys are supposed to help each other that is what makes them great how would you feel if you need something from your dad and he charged you for it in my family we help each other alot if i can save them money by working on their car for free i will do itjust like answering these questions people are helping each other for free have you ever seen the movie pay it forward people can learn alot from it
2006-08-17 08:04:16 · answer #10 · answered by firefightingexpert 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋