The mechanic rip-off rort

[Windsor220]

You basically question anything that isn't in the scheduled service. If they want to do brakes then ask to see them. Dont bother with any additives either

[Highway star]

I live in a small outback town in Qld, every mechanic in town charges $100 + gst per hour for labour. Shed rent here is very cheap, some own their own and were bought very cheap for under 60k. Rates are good , no excess water, no environmental BS with on site oil seperators etc. No dump fees for tyres and the council takes the old oil at no charge. So other than power and some wear and tare on gear and some basic office equipment where are these excessive overheads they talk off?

Here's what they charge for :
Coolant $9 p/litre
Diff oil $24 p/litre
Front brake pads for a RTV $99
Fuel filter $20
Engine oil $7 p/litre

Then of course you have to factor in the freight cost of getting stuff here, I'm a builder and I can tell you that logistics costs in this country are getting ridiculous, it would cost me $27 to get 4 litres of oil sent on road freight 600k's. It costs me $300 to buy a pallet of bricks and the road freight charge is $330 per pallet.
Some days I just wake up and say is it really worth putting up with this **** any longer?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Nikked

I get the feeling a lot of people must think mechanics work for under $10 and hour and pay for overheads from the money tree out the back.

I've just got my workshop insurance renewal today, $6800.

Insuring two dudes under 25 to drive vehicles up to $175,000 in value is the problem.

[Express]

Originally Posted by mechanic

So, what is the profession, trade or occupation of the OP?
If it's fair enough to accuse mechanics of crooked practices how about we have the opportunity of returning the favour?

I’m not sure if your post is aimed at me as I’m the member who posted up the article and like much of the news items, commentary or reviews I post I do it to provide info or debate for other members.

As you can see I haven’t offered an opinion, all I’ve done is plucked it from a media site and reposted it in case others didn’t see it in today’s Sydney Morning Herald.

I feel it adds to the forum and new threads like this help keep the forum rolling along instead of stagnating but of course if Ford Forum members would rather the site drown and die in a flood of 'what catback should I put on my car?' threads like some sites I’ve been a member of then so be it.

If you prefer I didn’t hit the new thread button that’s fine as it takes time for me to do it and I can always find something else to do as there are still some porn sites I haven’t visited yet.

By the way I’m a Buddhist Monk so feel free to tear me a new one.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Highway star

I live in a small outback town in Qld, every mechanic in town charges $100 + gst per hour for labour. Shed rent here is very cheap, some own their own and were bought very cheap for under 60k. Rates are good , no excess water, no environmental BS with on site oil seperators etc. No dump fees for tyres and the council takes the old oil at no charge. So other than power and some wear and tare on gear and some basic office equipment where are these excessive overheads they talk off?

Here's what they charge for :
Coolant $9 p/litre
Diff oil $24 p/litre
Front brake pads for a RTV $99
Fuel filter $20
Engine oil $7 p/litre

Then of course you have to factor in the freight cost of getting stuff here, I'm a builder and I can tell you that logistics costs in this country are getting ridiculous, it would cost me $27 to get 4 litres of oil sent on road freight 600k's. It costs me $300 to buy a pallet of bricks and the road freight charge is $330 per pallet.
Some days I just wake up and say is it really worth putting up with this **** any longer?

So, $100...

wage up to $25 + Loading.
Utilities and rates.
Other stuff like waste management
Money set aside for shop maintainance and tools.
Marketing
Licensing...

They have to make their profit onto of that...

[Highway star]

Originally Posted by Nikked

So, $100...

wage up to $25 + Loading.
Utilities and rates.
Other stuff like waste management
Money set aside for shop maintainance and tools.
Marketing
Licensing...

They have to make their profit onto of that...

Did you even read my post?

[olfella]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I've just got my workshop insurance renewal today, $6800.

Insuring two dudes under 25 to drive vehicles up to $175,000 in value is the problem.

And I bet a back yarder charges the same hourly rate as you and takes the risk.

[STINKY NINJA]

Yes mechanics can be a dead set rip off,its no different to sparkies,builders,plumbers etc,all tradies think they have a right to bend you over,learn how to do stuff yourself and save dollars!

[olfella]

Originally Posted by Highway star

Did you even read my post?

no...

[Rallye Sport]

Theres dodgey operators in all trades not just mechanics. It pays to double check invoices like with other services. The mrs was charged to have oil changed in her rear axle... Its a front wheel drive??? I spotted it, they blamed it on the computer system giving the wrong invoice, we got a prompt refund and will never use them again, the same as any other trade services...

[olfella]

Originally Posted by STINKY NINJA

Yes mechanics can be a dead set rip off,its no different to sparkies,builders,plumbers etc,all tradies think they have a right to bend you over,learn how to do stuff yourself and save dollars!

And you know this because you have a van on lease, all your tools and consumables on the tick, run into suppliers on your own time to pick up special parts needed for the job, pay annual licence fees, advocacy fees, insurance, workers comp and sickness insurance and, if you get a spare minute do your own books and HR? Is that how it is?

[STINKY NINJA]

If you cant do the repairs yourself you just need to find the honest guys,they are not a myth they are out there!

[tut0r]

Everyone's out to rip someone off, at least that's how i see it, so I am sceptical of every single person I meet till they prove their worth.

As a business owner(painter) if you're a nice client who looks after me if I am doing a job (tea, coffee etc etc) I am going to more than likely do extra's for free.

Rather than captain dbag who is over my shoulder every second picking at every slight issue.

[STINKY NINJA]

Originally Posted by olfella

And you know this because you have a van on lease, all your tools and consumables on the tick, run into suppliers on your own time to pick up special parts needed for the job, pay annual licence fees, advocacy fees, insurance, workers comp and sickness insurance and, if you get a spare minute do your own books and HR? Is that how it is?

I did a trade as a mechanic and I know exactly how it is,ive worked with the type of bosses who did rip people off like the stories in this thread and they used to lie through their teeth to rip people off and weren't mobile mechs either...
They wouldn't give 2 ****es if it was an old pensioner or a single mother on welfare.
So yes that is how it is.

I will say whatever the **** I like about mechanics because I am one,also any tradie I decide to take the **** out of I have every right,if you don't like it then go eat a big fat one.

For the record, being dodgy or blatantly ripping people off has nothing to do with anything you mentioned or do you think that list justifies it,it certainly seems so?

Saying you are and old bastard is an understatement,you are about as usefull as herpes,have a good day,come again

[DoubleTrouble]

I don't mind paying the going rate to any mechanical business as long as I get what I pay for, I just hate it when you don't get the prescribed service you are paying for.

[Trump]

Originally Posted by tut0r

Everyone's out to rip someone off, at least that's how i see it, so I am sceptical of every single person I meet till they prove their worth.

As a business owner(painter) if you're a nice client who looks after me if I am doing a job (tea, coffee etc etc) I am going to more than likely do extra's for free.

Rather than captain dbag who is over my shoulder every second picking at every slight issue.

You'd love working for my old man, he puts on BBQ's when he has tradies in to do work

[tut0r]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

You'd love working for my old man, he puts on BBQ's when he has tradies in to do work

His place probably has some of the best work to show for it!!

[olfella]

Originally Posted by STINKY NINJA

I did a trade as a mechanic and I know exactly how it is,ive worked with the type of bosses who did rip people off like the stories in this thread and they used to lie through their teeth to rip people off and weren't mobile mechs either...
They wouldn't give 2 ****es if it was an old pensioner or a single mother on welfare.
So yes that is how it is.

I will say whatever the **** I like about mechanics because I am one,also any tradie I decide to take the **** out of I have every right,if you don't like it then go eat a big fat one.

For the record, being dodgy or blatantly ripping people off has nothing to do with anything you mentioned or do you think that list justifies it,it certainly seems so?

Saying you are and old bastard is an understatement,you are about as usefull as herpes,have a good day,come again

Well thank goodness you only worked for wages as ist is quite clear you don't know what goes on behind your pay cheque. If you read my post you may see it costs to be in business. Not everything in the hourly rate is a rip off.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Pis-ton broke

ok, thanks for that, i will call him tonight. maybe the saving grace is that he has a crusier too, but i will see what he says.

A Bigger concern I'd have is using Supercheap Auto suspension in a Landcruiser!

[olfella]

Originally Posted by STINKY NINJA

Yes mechanics can be a dead set rip off,its no different to sparkies,builders,plumbers etc,all tradies think they have a right to bend you over,learn how to do stuff yourself and save dollars!

You were the one that opened the door to other trades. Notice I never mentioned rent which your boss would have to find, more than likely after he scrapped up your wages. he was probably battling to keep his head above water as well, but that dont make him a rip off merchant.

[RANGEREST]

Originally Posted by STINKY NINJA

I did a trade as a mechanic and I know exactly how it is,ive worked with the type of bosses who did rip people off like the stories in this thread and they used to lie through their teeth to rip people off and weren't mobile mechs either...
They wouldn't give 2 ****es if it was an old pensioner or a single mother on welfare.
So yes that is how it is.

I will say whatever the **** I like about mechanics because I am one,also any tradie I decide to take the **** out of I have every right,if you don't like it then go eat a big fat one.

For the record, being dodgy or blatantly ripping people off has nothing to do with anything you mentioned or do you think that list justifies it,it certainly seems so?

Saying you are and old bastard is an understatement,you are about as usefull as herpes,have a good day,come again

Every tradie and mechanic is out to bend you over? WTF are you on?
Is every forum member a c@#k smoker too?? must be because I see one right here^^^^

[Qwerty321]

Originally Posted by Wretched

I'll never go back to Ford for a service. Been to 4 dealers and the service has been average to outright rubbish. Sick of the garbage they spruik and the outrageous labor costs.
Will be looking for a local mechanic from now on. Thankfully the timing belt only needs to be replaced every 180k.

Well I was under the impression that timing belt intervals were only an issue if you have an interference engine. My mechanic also agreed with me on this and said that he does the same with his old mitsi (not interference). Just run the car till the belt breaks then get the job done. He said in his experience the belts tend to last a lot longer than the manual says they will, often more than twice as long. Mind you my first car was interference so I had it changed at the correct interval... only to grenade the transmission 4 months later and write it off

Anyone know if Barra 182's are interference or not?

[Pedro]

"go and talk to some women and here their rip off stories"

I'm sure not takin the risk of talkin to them.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Highway star

Did you even read my post?

Did actually, hence why i took the effort to click "reply" and type out said response.

You wanted overheads?

Rates no matter how good are an overhead, water is still and overhead...despite no charge on tyres...still fees for other collections...

[Franco Cozzo]

I get a bit upset how no one questions the bill the oven repair man gives you after he fixes the oven.

But you charge 1 hour labour for 2 hours work and everyone is suspect on why there is an hour labour.

Plumbers are good for that too, I'll be there on Wednesday.

They rock up on Friday, no worries thats fine.

You get someones car to them 20 minutes after schedule and its the end of the world

[Trump]

Interesting double standard isn't it Damo.

[PG2]

I am mechanically minded but don't work on cars anymore.

I feel that I have a very good mechanic. Been going to him now for 15 years. He's actually a Hyundai and Honda specialist but does service other brands as well.

It's the opposite in my case, I ask him to do stuff and he tells me the car doesn't need it or the expense isn't worth it. While no car is 100% reliable, my three cars have never broken down due to lack of servicing.

[Feathers]

I haven't had too much of a problem, but then I am the daughter of a mechanic, and have spent many weekends helping Dad in the workshop over the years.
(Last week it was re-fitting pistons into a bus motor, hopefully this weekend I'll get him to supervise me changing my spark plugs and coils)
I also have project cars, so I'm not totally clueless.

I'm still wary though. I will do my homework before contacting anyone about parts or repairs. So if they start to BS me, I just say 'thanks' and walk away.
For the most part the mechanics and suppliers I deal with know who my father is, so I get the same discounts/service that he would.

Back in the early days of having the BA, the local Ford dealer suggested brake pads and such during a service. I said no, I'd have it done privately for far less than they wanted, and the service manager agreed with me.
Those pads went another 4 years before I decided to change them 'just in case', and still had 25% left in them.

When I needed a second hand tail light, I rang a few places and had one bloke ask if I needed it for an XT, XR, or Fairmont. I said it didn't matter, but he tried to convince me they were all different, and therefore different prices. (Only the Ghia was different, with the extra bit of chrome) Needless to say he didn't get my business.

But on the other hand, when I used to frequent one of the local wreckers where you could pick your own parts, if I turned up alone with a handful of spanners, I always got a generous discount!

[DOC]

The trouble n strife took the Toyota Camry in for a scheduled service about 4 years ago now, and she mention that it might have been blowing a little smoke / probably it was a cold morning she seen ? (we purchased and have had it from new), next thing she is on the phone to me saying Toyota have stripped the motor down and it's shagged, and if we wanted they had a second hand motor pulled from another car ( with more K's than ours ) and for a tidy sum of 3K we could snap it up and have it changed over in a day or so.

I rang them up and said to put my motor back into the car as we will not be buying into some unknown motor, and I was coming down to pick it up.

Not sure if they knew my wife was married / had a partner, long story short we still have the car and it has not missed a beat in the last 4 years. Not bad for a shagged motor.

That said we have a great local mechanic now who is fantastic.

[barrys123]

I had two tyres mounted and balanced today at Tyrepower. I pulled in and there were three tyrefitters sitting there do nothing and not lying but between them they fitted the tyres and balanced them in four minutes flat $60.