is it common knowledge that shops tell you it will take longer than it actually will, just to get more labor?

Question

is it common knowledge that shops tell you it will take longer to fix your car than it actually will, just so they can get more labor money out of you? because i'm sure they do. i have several friends that have interned at mechanic shops, and they had the same exact story without talking to each other about it.

Answer 1

ya

Answer 2

I don't think so. . . Here's the real scoop about mechanics/shops.
Most mechanics get paid a flat rate for a job. There is a book of jobs, for each vehicle, it tells how long each job should take for each vehicle. That mechanic gets paid the same, wether it takes him twice as long to do the job, or if it takes him half the time to do the job as advertised in that book. That's not to say that the shop doesn't get theirs. . . Most shops either charge a flat rate for a job, or charge a flat rate as advertised in that book (ask to see this book next time you bring your car in, likely, they won't have a reason to not show it to you). Other shops charge, like you said, per the time your car is actually in the shop. You may need to find a more reputable shop, but don't blame your mechanic, the mechanics really get the raw end of the deal, customers don't trust them, and they get pennies on the dollar for what the shop gets. This is all why I eventually opened up my own shop (I have to close it now, not enough business, no money for advertisement, and I moved).
Basically in answer to your question, I suppose some might, yes. A good reputable shop, no, they SHOULD charge the lesser of a flat rate, or actuall time in the shop. Another thing to consider is this, if someone is told a job will take two hours, as soon as it is going on two hours and two minutes, the customer usually complains. . . That's another reason for saying it will take more time, you want to give a little window. When the shop or mechanic sells himself short, saying a job will take only as long as it should take. . . That's when unexpected problems arise, more parts break, etc.
I hope this has enlightened you. Good luck finding a good shop, there are some out there, but few and far between.

Answer 3

Automakers publish a standard shop labor chart that states how long a given task is supposed to take. Most auto repair shops base their billing on that because it is simpler than tracking labor hours on a per job basis. The chart usually gives them too much time but in some cases they lose money on the charts too.

Answer 4

no this is to give the shops time to find whats wrong with the car.

Answer 5

why do you think I learned to fix my own car?