Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikes86
So if no one is going to use "a wet behind the ear mechanic" how are new techs supposed to get better... Everyone starts somewhere...
And if everyone charged exactly what it took them to manufacture a part or do a job then no one would make money...
Let's put it this way how much do u think it takes Starbucks to make a cup of coffee...like $1 maybe... But people still gladly pay $6 bucks for it, no one bitches to them that they charge 5X the amount it actually takes them.
Or how about all the fancy aftermarket parts... And exhaust doesn't take 1000 bucks worth of metal and time to make but everyone has no problem shelling out $1000-$1500 for $500 dollars worth of work and material.
U know why people do this... Because they see the "value" of quality parts or the "value" of a cup of coffee or the "value" of having someone who has worked on their brand of car before and has been factory trained and knows what to look for in most cases... And just if u didn't know out of the 80-125 an hour u pay for tech labor don't think that all goes to the tech... The tech is lucky to see 25 bucks an hour out of that...
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I avoid damn near everything you wrote. Fuck Starbucks and their overpriced coffee. Starbucks is for 21st century beatniks and 30 somethings cruising for some high school snatch.
I don't modify my car either, largely because of the labor charges and the price of parts, exactly as you mentioned. But if or when I partake in these extras, I shop around for deals. This is America, we are a capitalist society that got to where we are through competition, specifically pricing competition.
Like I said, I did use a professional in the end, but not after finding a deal at half the labor cost. And the wet behind the ear mechanic most likely will be working in a shop alongside an established mechanic. My scenario earlier was in regards to a lone new mechanic...no, you avoid him until he gets some shop time just like everyone here being leery of taking their Subaru FR-S to a Scion dealership that has never seen a boxer engine before.
You guys make it sound like without paying full price, you aren't getting full service. That is just plain bullshit. There is always a competent professional willing to do the same job as the next guy for less money. Again, that's called competition and it is in your best interest to find these deals.