06 Tacoma Wont start, Mechanics can't find problem. 4,000lb paper weight :(

Hello Bill,
I understand that you have come up with a formula to justify this improper practice, my guess is it is also illegal or it should be, but justification does not make it justifiable. If you want to be honest raise your claimed or posted hourly rates to what it takes to stay in business and stop ripping off the customer by billing for hours not worked or tell your mechanics to slow down to the full time that you are billing for and again let the customer know what you are doing.

 

FYI, what I tell my customers is that it costs $xxx.xx to get their job done, and the quote on paper that they get breaks down parts and labor charges. I also do tell them that some jobs take longer than others to complete, but that if it takes an hour to do the job, or 3 hours to do the job, it will cost the same.


Let me ask you this. If I were to look at exactly what you just said above, then what would you recommend I do if things went the opposite way? What if the job is set as a LTG of 2 hours, but I know for a fact that it takes me 3 hours no matter what we do? Should I charge then 3 hours? What if it actually takes my tech 5 hours? or 6? Should I charge them that? NO. I charge a flat price, REGARDLESS of the actual time. If I can't get the job done in time, well that is my problem, not the customer's problem. I can tell you have never owned or ran any kind of repair business. Not implying anything bad, just that you do not appear to be able to grasp what it takes to run one. I own a VERY successful auto repair shop, and I have customers that are always raving about me, and the great deals I offer. I sell several products on this forum, and nobody has ever said I was overcharging or dishonest.

 

OK, I have tried my best to be civil and polite, but you continue to insult me and accuse me of being dishonest and ripping people off. To that point I am done now. I have not "Come up with a formula". This practice is the INDUSTRY STANDARD among auto repair shops. DEALERSHIPS as well. This has been the way it has been done for 50 years. At this point sir, we are DONE. I will not stand here and continue to listen to you insult me and accuse me of improper business practices!

 

Agreed Sean, but I prefer that Gerald, AKA "savedone" not contact me at all, and I will not contact him.

 

I'd agree this is best.

saved-Your personal feelings don't change the facts in this case and you are in a factually incorrect spot...so let it go.

 

Mind if I ask you to PM me as to why you think I am in a factually incorrect spot?

 

Not you-Right at the start of that section it says "saved" cause I was too lazy to type out his whole name... Who is the one I think you were at odds with ..because he is wrong.

You are a great dude and spot on.

 

And just an aside before I leave this thread, I am quite happy and proud of the job I do, and the service I provide. I feel like I have great integrity, as can be said in the MANY comments from people who have purchased from me. and for what it is worth, I DO tell my customers that while the price is a set price for a job, that price is the same regardless of if it took me an hour to do it, or 4 hours. I DO NOT EVER deceive my customers. I have full disclosure on all my work orders and estimates. I don't charge one customer more or less for the same job just because it was done faster or slower than expected. One can go to the store and buy a TV for $1000 and it doesn't matter that the new production facilities can now build it twice as fast, but they still charge the same $1000. It is no different than what ALL auto repair shops do: Same price for the same job for everyone. So yes, I DO disclose the facts. Not a single customer has ever complained, and they still return. Why? Because I don't sell them something they don't need, and I am honest with them.

 

LOL, here I was thinking you were bashing on me. lmao.