Was I wrong?

The 70 dollar rate is what he suggested for me paying in cash.
He had previously charged 80 an hour.
75 seems to be the going rate in this area.
 
quote:
Originally posted by sugilbert

My son runs his own repair shop (auto mostly, but is marine certified also) He never charges for 'shagging' parts except where he has to get junkyard parts. All new auto parts are delivered free from the store/distributor--batteries included.

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+1
 
70-90 bucks an hour seems reasonable for a SHOP to charge. but i kinda question these mobile guys with MUCH LESS overhead charging the same rates as a shop.especially if they are going to charge for everytime they turn the key on the van and for every other little extra. charging an 85 dollar hourly rate with no shop overhead is insane.
that being said: 3 hours for all that aint too bad..... are the batteries a pain to get to?
 
I had a detroit diesel shop come to our boat and get involved in a gear box issue. After about a day of BS like waiting for the mechanic to find anti sieze because he was unfamiliar with the truck I threw them out and still got a $1000 dollar bill.
I have been hesitant to work with mechanics since and will reject anyone that says, "time and material" without qualification of how long it takes and what they intend to do.
 
The batteries are simple to get to. I have two torn rotator cuffs and am awaiting surgery......lifting batteries not a good idea.
I have gone over previous invoices and have never been charged for picking up parts, as far as I can tell.
At this point it is water under the bridge.
Now its time to get back to work.
 
I have a mobile mechanic. He tacks on a fuel charge which usually amounts to about $40. He has never charged me to go find parts including going to CAT to get filters or taking my Alternator to be rebuilt.

Having said that, the problem with itemized bills is you may not like the way he itemizes his costs. When I get a bill I try to look at the total (ignoring the items) and decide if I think it's fair. I often try to "guess" what the bill will be before I open it. If I'm in the ball park, I don't worry about the breakdown too much. If it's higher I look at the items. Strangely, it's NEVER lower than I guessed :-)
 
I have never heard of a mechanic that works in a marina charge to pick up parts from an outside location, typically the suppliers deliver to them. I never allow a mechanic to do any work without getting an estimate exactly for this reason (Been there done that...once). My opinion is 3 hrs to replace a couple of batteries is robbery, you trusted him and he took advantage.
 
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