I'm getting tired of dealing with people

[Jetronic]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I trust my mechanic/garage such that most works were not estimated before start, I just paid whatever he told me when I picked up the car. Most of the times he charged me less than I expected.


yes, you pay the hourly rate and the parts used that way. If I/we have to agree to a price before the work, I'll make sure we can cover any forseeable setbacks, so the labour time will be estimated at least 50% higher.

Most people just ask for a ballpark figure though, not a fixed price.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: pbm
We've become an 'entitlement' society and people feel 'entitled' to haggle. Many people have no shame either.


I would never try to haggle with a mechanic after the job is complete. However, I do try to get the best price on a car.

I think that is cultural here in the USA. And, I do think our culture is changing.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: madRiver
You can negotiate before the work is performed on estimate and I have at dealership mainly. Typically I can get 10-15% off.

One of my friends is a dealership mechanic and is pretty good, he recently did 20hrs of book time in 8! So I guess there a bit of negotiating room there.

 

[Andrew1972]

I use dealer for certain repairs like recent electrical issue I had (ABS brake sensor).

In the process they found brakes worn(known) and wanted $300 to perform rear brake job. Dealer was dead(icy out so many cancellations) and I said how about $200 as that is what my local mechanic state. They came back with $225.

I have found a great day to show up and get work done on car is real snowy day. Good case in point was a $30 oil change at dealership and my wife's car needed bushings all around every time it came in I got estimates of $800-$1000 and I said skip. A mean winter day they offered a "fire sale" of $400 (likely normal price) and it got done in 45 minutes with techs all around it.

 

[Jetronic]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
One of my friends is a dealership mechanic and is pretty good, he recently did 20hrs of book time in 8! So I guess there a bit of negotiating room there.

strange, here in europe the book time is so tight you can't possibly do it in that time. at least double is required. Would love to see those books. I did hear mercedes is (or was at the time) generous with book times but that's it really.

 

[IndyIan]

Well I think there is customer book time (maybe inflated by the service advisor?), and manufacturer warranty book time which is a lot tighter.

Next time I see him I'll have to ask how it works.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Originally Posted By: pbm
We've become an 'entitlement' society and people feel 'entitled' to haggle. Many people have no shame either.


I would never try to haggle with a mechanic after the job is complete. However, I do try to get the best price on a car.

I think that is cultural here in the USA. And, I do think our culture is changing.


I agree.

I'll always 'haggle' on the price of a car but I would never haggle on the price of repairs AFTER agreeing to the price.

I also think our 'culture' is changing and not for the better....

 

[andyd]

I have been using the same shop for just as long. I only go to them for inspections,tires and alignments. I'm a lifelong resident, I don't want to or need to upset that relationship for a few measly bucks

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I trust my mechanic/garage such that most works were not estimated before start, I just paid whatever he told me when I picked up the car. Most of the times he charged me less than I expected.


I'm lucky enough to have a few shops like that nearby, but I'm in more of a rural area. Never an upfront quote. I've had a few $400-500 jobs done at one of these shops where the owner told me to grab the car when I need it and pay him when I can. I don't really even know the guy other than name and small talk.

I couldn't imagine trying to haggle price after the fact. I'd completely loose my mind being a shop employee in that situation. Want you car back? Pay your bill. End of story.

I have had shops work with my on price ahead of time. This was only with dealership service though. They were able to use aftermarket parts which reduced cost considerably.

 

[Alfred_B]

As a society, we are getting poorer.

In my field I see a lot of people who refuse to pay the bill after they receive the service. The numbers rise every year.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt


are your customers ghetto?
Most seem like normal people. Ocasionally we may get what appears to be a lower life form.

It seems to be the late 50's and up age group and up that try to change the price after the fact.

Now i'm not trying to be a racist. But it seems like the darker the person the more they try and the more they make a scene.

A 25 yr old with a goatee in a Z-71 does not usually try it. But a 60 yr old with an accent in a Lexus will make a huge scene.

 

[AKhan87]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt


are your customers ghetto?
Most seem like normal people. Ocasionally we may get what appears to be a lower life form.

It seems to be the late 50's and up age group and up that try to change the price after the fact.

Now i'm not trying to be a racist. But it seems like the darker the person the more they try and the more they make a scene.

A 25 yr old with a goatee in a Z-71 does not usually try it. But a 60 yr old with an accent in a Lexus will make a huge scene.

oh wow, the age group is what shocks me.

The elderly get ripped off by dealerships/Firestone type of places, all the time here, I have seen that happen too many times that its ridiculous but I don't live in the ghetto by any means, maybe that's why

the darker the skin, you mean individuals of African decent?

 

[Alfred_B]

He means Indian.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Chris142

Now i'm not trying to be a racist. But it seems like the darker the person the more they try and the more they make a scene.

Common knowledge..ask anyone in the service sector if you haven witnessed it as a plain 'ol customer.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: Al
Originally Posted By: Chris142

Now i'm not trying to be a racist. But it seems like the darker the person the more they try and the more they make a scene.

Common knowledge..ask anyone in the service sector if you haven witnessed it as a plain 'ol customer.


Ask a customer if they've ever witnessed a plain ol person in the service sector.

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
As a society, we are getting poorer.

In my field I see a lot of people who refuse to pay the bill after they receive the service. The numbers rise every year.


poorer? U bet!

Good example is our good ole friend with repeated comebacks, still manage to screuw up all these cars incl, but not limited to his valvo, his cibics, etc. and instead of making it run properly for longer time, he simply mess things up, get another one, and then mess it up again...

I see a pattern going on, and you shall never see me making remarks/comments/technical suggestions to him. Some may say he deserves better, but I see some sort of complex within...

Q.

 

[wrcsixeight]

My Friend is a service Advisor in a busy repair shop, and I often have to listen to him vent about the Customers who basically expect something for practically nothing.

Our society is more and more "it's all about me!!!!"

People seem to revel in their own fabricated indignation.

I blame feminism.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: Quest
Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
As a society, we are getting poorer.

In my field I see a lot of people who refuse to pay the bill after they receive the service. The numbers rise every year.


poorer? U bet!

Good example is our good ole friend with repeated comebacks, still manage to screuw up all these cars incl, but not limited to his valvo, his cibics, etc. and instead of making it run properly for longer time, he simply mess things up, get another one, and then mess it up again...

I see a pattern going on, and you shall never see me making remarks/comments/technical suggestions to him. Some may say he deserves better, but I see some sort of complex within...

Q.


We are getting poorer? Many folks don't realize their financial situations are in their hands.

People are "stuck" in poverty by their own doings. Just listen to the radio about all the new car deals.. "1 penny down.. dont pay until 2016." These adds work.. why else would they play them? It is so easy to buy a new car these days because people only look at their monthly payments and not the long term cost. They'll live in a run down house and (maybe even be on welfare,) but I guarantee they'll have a decent car and the latest and greatest smart phone.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
The time to talk price is before doing the work. Not after.


I try to get a good deal on service work and agree 100% with your statement. They can comparison shop all they want. But once they give the green light then they lose all leverage on negotiating. As mentioned I'd keep the car till it's paid for in full.

 

[splinter]

Perhaps it’s time for some serious introspection regarding your career choices and livelihood?
Then surround yourself with good people.

Early on in my workaday world a boss I respected shared, “if you work for cheap [censored] you’ll be a cheap [censored].” "So don't be a cheap [censored]!"

Good luck, Chris.