Why are we being billed ridiculous charges for labor ($65.00 & more an hour), for auto repair.?

Question

I'm sure the mechanic doesn't get paid that much.

Answer 1

Mr. Skipper has it correct. and it doesnt matter if it take the mechanic 5 mins or 5 hours. if the book says so-and-so repair takes x amount of hours, youre going to be charged those hours, regardless of how long it really took. and no the mechanic doesnt see ALL of that, but it goes for his training, pay the service writer, etc.

Answer 2

Who are you to judge the labor charges of a mechanic? They get no money for buying the actual part (well, generally speaking) so the entire income of their business is based on labor rates.... so... that mechanic may get 20 per hour of that..... rent for the building gets a percentage... a lobby for you to sit in a percentage... paying people at the front desk a percentage...

65.00 is pretty reasonable and industry standard to make a long story short.

Answer 3

I will try to explain it the best way that I understand it. Car dealerships and many repair shops use what is referred to as a "Chilton Manual". It is the bible of auto repair services. It sets a guideline on how long it should take a qualified mechanic to complete a certain repair job. The hourly charge is set by the market price for that service. So if you take your car in to have the water pump replaced the service ad-visor will look it up the water pump for your vehicle in the Chilton manual and sees that it allows for 3 hours to complete. They will then quote you a price of $195 for labor (based on the $65/ hour) plus parts. The mechanic does not get all of this money as he is more than likely paid a flat rate.

Answer 4

It's simple supply & demand. They're charging whatever the market will bear.

You can compete with them by starting your own repair shop if you'd like. But you'd need to graduate from technical school to get a certificate to work on the complicated systems of all the makes and models of cars out there, then you'll need to get funding to buy a facility with all the equipment and tools you need.

You'll find that $65 an hour isn't so much when you're paying all those bills from setting yourself up in this kind of business plus you get to pay uncle sam for, um, well, let's see uncle sam must do something for all that money we all pay him.

Answer 5

Ah, you think the shop, the heat, the lights, the public washrooms, taxes on the building, all the tools, the manuals, the parts departments, the reception area, service writers, parking lot, etc should all be free, and you should just pay for the mechanic who actually works on your car? Would you like all the parts at cost as well?

Answer 6

I am the flat rate technician, I have approx: 45k in tools our labor rate at my shop is $75 per hour I make not even one quarter of that but, shops have alot of overhead and the liability issue, and on top of that you also have with alot of shops ( like at my shop a 12/12 guarantee) if it is not fixed right you don't pay!!!!!

Answer 7

relies upon on the place you're located. In Canada... maximum sellers are interior the $one hundred/hour selection.inner maximum garages selection from $60 - $eighty/hour. All i will say is, if the mechanic you believe expenses greater... its very well worth the value. Be care-complete... their are many crooks out their who call themselves mechanics, yet cant diagnose their way out of a shoe field.

Answer 8

becaus what the mechanic does not get, pays for rent for the building and insurance in case you sue us, and the free coffe you drink and all kinds of things you're not thinking of. OH and the big one. Payroll taxes and income taxes.

Answer 9

Ha! Where do you live?? Average mechanical labor rate here is $90.00 per hour, body labor is $45.00.

Answer 10

Don't like it, fix it yourself. That's what I do.