The car shops I go to charge list price for the replacements. I can get 40% discounts on the net, and I'm hoping to just pay for the labor. Is this insulting, and does it damage the quality of work by the mechanic?
2006-11-29 15:46:28 · 19 answers · asked by mbusa411 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I've bought brakes before and took them with me to a mechanic to have them changed. If they are decent mechanics it shouldn't matter where you purchased the parts. If they don't like it then go to a different mechanic.
2006-11-29 15:49:12 · answer #1 · answered by lparker_2005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the mechanic or shop owner. You can price the parts and labor from them and ask how much to install the parts if you buy them somewhere else. Then you can call around to price the parts you need and the return policy in case you get the wrong part.
It shouldn't affect the mechanics work quality.If they install the part wrong and you have a receipt for the work done by them,they have to pay to have to get the work done right and you don't have to let them do the work.
2006-11-29 16:09:07 · answer #2 · answered by Ralph T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an office manager/service writer for an auto repair shop, let me explain the reasoning behind this.
First, we buy parts from a reputable source, not a discount place, no murrays, no autozone. At my shop we use OEM replacement parts for most things. This means you get AC Delco for GM cars, Motorcraft for Fords, and Mopar parts for Chrysler cars. Not an off the wall discount store part. Yes we charge list prices, still lower than dealership prices. This allows us to have confidence in the part we are installing therefore allowing us to give the customer a warranty on work done.
Second, Here in Michigan, if we install a part on a car, no matter if purchased from us or if brought in by the customer, we are responsible for that part for at least 90 days. We can not be assured of the quality of parts brought in by customers becasue we don't know where they came from. BUT if something should go wrong, we HAVE to warranty that work. We do not install parts brought in by customers at my shop for that reason, and that reason only.
I know a shop who was sued on this law. They installed an Alternator a customer brought in that was purchased at Murray's. The customer then drove the car from Michigan to Tennesee, where the alternator failed. The customer then had the car towed, a new alternator installed and came back home. He went to the shop that installed the alternator the customer bought wanting them to reimburse him. Thier answer was no, becasue they did not supply the part, only did the work....well long story short, they lost in court, because a repair shop has to warranty work for 90 days, no matter where the part comes from. That is why most shops will not use a part not purchased from them....
2006-11-29 16:01:06 · answer #3 · answered by TKinMI 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a shop that will and if you like their work o.k. The going rate in many shops is3x their parts cost and they get a discount but rip you good. There is no reason they should profit from parts when charging $60 an hour and more for labor.
2006-11-29 15:57:02 · answer #4 · answered by tronary 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some mechanics will not use any other parts than the ones they order. But on a good note, most will. I always call for a quote on labor only..then price my parts myself.
If you are worried about insulting them, use the line: "I already bought the parts for my car, but I just can't find the time to get it repaired--how much would you charge me for the labor?"
And you are a wise person worrying about insulting a mechanic.
2006-11-29 15:51:02 · answer #5 · answered by maamu 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do this for sure if they have nothing to hide they will use any parts they think are of quality and always make sure that they show you the parts they replaced . A lot of places i take my cars to set the old parts aside and show me how bad they were and on occasion they actually ask me to get a part because their seller doesn't have it or isn't of quality. Those shops that wont do the work unless you get the part through them is just looking to make the 40% your saving plus their commission.
2006-11-29 16:31:15 · answer #6 · answered by Hozb718 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF you know the mechanic or the owner of the shop, you might get away with it. Otherwise, the list price on the parts that the shop is trying to sell you is also part of their profit margin, and they're not likely to let you cut into that.
2006-11-29 15:49:26 · answer #7 · answered by Vince 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most mechanics prefer to have you purchase parts from them. As they tend to jack up the prices of their parts which is where they make a good profit as well as the labor.
2006-11-29 16:29:42 · answer #8 · answered by Greg B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a repair shop,and now days a lot of people do it,the only bad thing is sometimes they don't get the right parts,and they leave the car,and you cant get in touch with them,so there you set,with a car that you cant repair because the parts don't fit right,,i know ,, this has happened to me a few times,i usually just go and get the right part,and let them take their parts back for a refund,good luck i hope this help,s.
2006-11-29 15:59:47 · answer #9 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a lot like bringing groceries to a restaurant and asking them to cook it for you. If a mechanic installs parts that he supplies then he has to stand behind his work. If he installs your parts and something does not work, then he blames it on your parts, your parts store blames it on the installer yada, yada, yada. Also the mechanic will probably raise the labor cost to cover the loss of parts profit.
Good Luck!
2006-11-29 15:54:55 · answer #10 · answered by dave e 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋