Pricing: B Service+ with local specialist.

[geraldrobins]

Okay I'm resigned to the fact that it's generally accepted and okay for a garage to make a 50% - 100% mark-up on parts. But is this not a bit victim blaming? Because I didn't top my water reservoir up to the brim or change a wiper that was doing it's job I should just accept him charging me over the odds for parts and work I never asked him to do?

I'm not suggesting he should be giving consumables away for free. Just charging competitively and asking before carrying out the work.

He ought to be advising and getting you to agree if he wants to supply parts. yes. But when I have had a service and a firm quote all the consumables are detailed on the invoice and it doesnt affect the agreed price.Its just how they price it up.

 

[morgyface]

Well Morgyface,I have no idea of your circumstances,but maybe once a year you could forsake the delights of Cornwall,and find a competitive Indy,my one in Colchester would have charged around £500 for the work done,and members here would know of great ones much nearer to you,make a day or weekend of it .

£500 sounds almost too good to be true. I have friends in Colchester maybe I'll plan a visit to coincide with my next service. I would've been happy with the ballpark quote of £700. I have no issue paying a fair price, everyone has to make a living, I just think he's charged well over the odds for the parts and that is a bit of an underhand way of making money in my opinion. I'd welcome any suggestion of another Cornish MB specialist.

 

[morgyface]

He ought to be advising and getting you to agree if he wants to supply parts. yes. But when I have had a service and a firm quote all the consumables are detailed on the invoice and it doesnt affect the agreed price.Its just how they price it up.

Makes sense and I'd have no argument if that'd happened here but it didn't. I'd already been given a rough price for brakes, mirror and service but the springs were discovered on inspection, he called me about that and I asked him for a price. He had to call me back and even then was vague but I squeezed a ballpark out of him. The final price was £157 more than this. He never mentioned the wiper or screen wash at any point and they were charged above and beyond the cost of the service.

 

[KennyN]

But is this not a bit victim blaming?

Not at all , you asked for a service a part of which is to perform numerous checks , one of which is washer fluid level. Do you expect him to call you to ask if he has the authority to top it up , seriously. It would take him longer to ask you the question than what it would take to fill it up.

Most of their time would be taken up calling customers to see if they wanted their skooshers topped up , a sidelight lamp replaced , wiper blade changed or air in their tyres.

If you want to feel like you have been taken for a ride then drop it off at the main dealers

Kenny

 

[morgyface]

Not at all , you asked for a service a part of which is to perform numerous checks , one of which is washer fluid level. Do you expect him to call you to ask if he has the authority to top it up , seriously. It would take him longer to ask you the question than what it would take to fill it up.

Most of their time would be taken up calling customers to see if they wanted their skooshers topped up , a sidelight lamp replaced , wiper blade changed or air in their tyres.

If you want to feel like you have been taken for a ride then drop it off at the main dealers

Kenny

Okay so, just to clarify, what you're saying is my car should be in showroom condition before taking it in to a garage to have work done because if not it's perfectly acceptable for them to carry out work using overpriced parts without my permission.

For the record, if he'd replaced the wiper and charged me a similar price to what I would've paid in Halfords or similar I would have no beef. It probably needed doing, it makes no odds if he did it or if I did it, it takes two minutes, but to charge me the price for a pair of blades and only fit one is unreasonable.

Surely minor things like bulbs and washer fluid should be included as part of service cost. Anything over £20 should be queried with the customer. You could also argue that a more sensible way of doing things would be; a list of required work/parts are compiled during the inspection and then one call is made to say; these need replacing, it'll cost you £X, are you okay for us to carry out the work?

Does that not sound like a fairer way of running a business?

 

[DSM10000]

We've established that Halfords are expensive and that my indy charged me more than Halfords.

No, you've misread, the final price was higher than the ballpark, he told me £700-ish. It was £857.

You asked for a ball-park figure, it was just that. He may have encountered problems changing springs for example (was this in your original ball park figure?) due to seized fittings etc taking extra time.

As many have said, you got a reasonable service for an average price, next time shop around.

Just for an example; I had the alternator replaced on my C320, my Independant did this but found the water pump bearings were noisy so whilst it was apart he replaced it. It cost me £100 more than expected but it saved a return visit, additional expense and a potential breakdown and I was happy it was spotted

The point is an estimate is that, open to variation.

 

[morgyface]

Anyway, I shall give up now. Some people think it was overpriced, others think it was a pretty good price compared to a main dealer and others think I should grease up, bend over and take a thoroughly good rogering. Just well. Because. That's how it works pig boy.

I've learnt a lot tonight.

I've also just realised that if I'd spent the time I've been on here working I could've paid half of my credit card bill off by now.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[AMGeed]

No, you've misread, the final price was higher than the ballpark, he told me £700-ish. It was £857.

It was around £700-ish. He just left off the VAT

 

[DSM10000]

We've established that Halfords are expensive and that my indy charged me more than Halfords.

No, you've misread, the final price was higher than the ballpark, he told me £700-ish. It was £857.

Anyway, I shall give up now. Some people think it was overpriced, others think it was a pretty good price compared to a main dealer and others think I should grease up, bend over and take a thoroughly good rogering. Just well. Because. That's how it works pig boy.

I've learnt a lot tonight.

I've also just realised that if I'd spent the time I've been on here working I could've paid half of my credit card bill off by now.

Thanks for all your help.

Everyone will have a different experience, expectation etc.

It is just one of life's learning curves.

Look on the bright side, your car is fettled, you clearly have a sense of humour and you live in one of the most beautiful places in the UK.

Pour yourself a beer or wine and look forward to the weekend

 

[morgyface]

Everyone will have a different experience, expectation etc.

It is just one of life's learning curves.

Look on the bright side, your car is fettled, you clearly have a sense of humour and you live in one of the most beautiful places in the UK.

Pour yourself a beer or wine and look forward to the weekend

I'll drink to that! Thanks again for your input. :bannana:

 

[DSM10000]

I'll drink to that! Thanks again for your input. :bannana:

I will have one with you!!!

(Where in Cornwall are you by the way??}

 

[KennyN]

===

 

[morgyface]

I will have one with you!!!

(Where in Cornwall are you by the way??}

Just outside Falmouth. In a posh bit. Sticking out like a sore thumb and thoroughly unwelcome.

 

[Rory]

Surely minor things like bulbs and washer fluid should be included as part of service cost. Anything over £20 should be queried with the customer. You could also argue that a more sensible way of doing things would be; a list of required work/parts are compiled during the inspection and then one call is made to say; these need replacing, it'll cost you £X, are you okay for us to carry out the work?

Does that not sound like a fairer way of running a business?

I think you said you'd used this garage several times previously? Obviously I have no idea what the proprietor is like, but perhaps you just need to clarify the 'rules of engagement'?

He may think you want the maintained as near as possible to MB standards and that he should go ahead with minor repairs without bothering you.

I'd suggest you point out it's an old car and realistically not worth very much and as such you don't want to be throwing money at it regardless.

 

[Yugguy]

The topping up of the screen wash always bugs me. Like the numberplate bulbs that mysteriously seem to fail on mot day.

 

[Rory]

The topping up of the screen wash always bugs me.

I must admit it doesn't seem to work with indies but for years on our dealer serviced cars I've just got an all inclusive price for the service. If the final total on the invoice is the same or less (oddly it's often slightly less) then I just not to look at the line items as it's too annoying.

I did query it years ago with a VW dealer and, completely straight-faced, the service advisor said if the washer bottle is full they syphon it out and refill it!

 

[190]

It's the way of the world these days whether it's garage mechanic or a plumber they want to make a minimum of £2000/week.

I take the DIY route and being semi retired gives me the time to tackle basic servicing, fit a kitchen or plumb a bathroom. I know it's not for everyone but with a vacuum extractor doing an oil change is child's play. Extractors are handy for plumbing too !

 

[geraldrobins]

Just outside Falmouth. In a posh bit. Sticking out like a sore thumb and thoroughly unwelcome.

Sounds like somewhere with boats

 

[DSM10000]

Just outside Falmouth. In a posh bit. Sticking out like a sore thumb and thoroughly unwelcome.

One of our favourite areas, along the Roseland Peninsula and surroundings!

 

[Dinnie]

I've been in your position and over analysed an invoice BUT.........

I guess the extra cost covers the time it takes him to order those parts, he has to pay the money up front to buy the parts (tied up working capital) and then storing those parts. Those parts numbers on the invoice appear to be genuine Mercedes parts - yes you could buy Bosch blades but some would argue that the genuine items are superior to Bosch and worth the 20% premium.
Also the guy has to pay rent and rates for the premises, insurance, utilities, his tools, ramps etc. He'll pay for an accountant to do this finances, pay corporation tax, pay wages and employers national insurance. From his wages and he'll pay employee's national insurance, income tax and something for pension. He'll need to make a bit of profit for reinvestment into the business, putting some money aside for a rainy day as he still needs to take annual leave where the business won't be earning money and it won't be everyday he'll have 5 cars in the workshop for repairs. It all adds up.