MECHANICS: Is this a good price?

[Byteme]

It takes like ten seconds to weld a piece of straight pipe in, even on stainless. If it takes longer than that, then the mechanic is not a skilled welder, and therefore, should not be charging a full hourly rate.

No offense, but I don't think you under the concept of charging for services.  The cost is more than the small bit of time it takes toa cutally weld the part.  That shop and equipment didn't just fall out of nowhere.  There are overhead costs to be covered, the time to do the repair is more than the time to do the actual welding, the car has to be put onthe lift, the length of pipe fabricated, everything prepped, the welding itself, cleanup, putting the car back on the lot, and perhaps a brief test drive.


This reminds me of an old story where a pieceof very complicated equipment went down.  The company called the equipment maker who sent out a technician to fix the problem.  The technician spent 1/2 hour doing something and submitted the bill.  $800.  The company manager was stunned and asked for an itimization of the bill since he argued the work only took 30 minutes it should have just billed about $30.  So the technician re wrote the bill:  

Reset mechanism:   $30.00
Knowing how to reset mechanism:  $770.00


The point is there are costs in the background that must be covered.


I needed to do a bit of welding so rather than take the piece to the shop I bought a flux wire welder, auto darkening hood, proper gloves and safety stuff, spare tips and wire, etc.  I haven't recouped the cost in what I've saved by doing it myself.  And no one is welding a job like that in "10 seconds".

[S204STi]

Yep. And then go buy all the shit we had to so you can do the job. Have fun with that one.

Yeah, I've got probably $20k sitting in my bay, and that's nothing compared to some of these guys.  Add to that the $25k for WyoTech, and the general bullshit that we have to deal with on a daily basis and it frankly makes me wonder why I don't ask for more.  If I made even 25% of our shop rate I'd instantly see a $5k/yr pay raise.

[S204STi]

This reminds me of an old story where a pieceof very complicated equipment went down.  The company called the equipment maker who sent out a technician to fix the problem.  The technician spent 1/2 hour doing something and submitted the bill.  $800.  The company manager was stunned and asked for an itimization of the bill since he argued the work only took 30 minutes it should have just billed about $30.  So the technician re wrote the bill: 

Reset mechanism:   $30.00
Knowing how to reset mechanism:  $770.00

lol, that's awesome.

[Eye of the Tiger]

No offense, but I don't think you under the concept of charging for services.  The cost is more than the small bit of time it takes toa cutally weld the part.  That shop and equipment didn't just fall out of nowhere.  There are overhead costs to be covered, the time to do the repair is more than the time to do the actual welding, the car has to be put onthe lift, the length of pipe fabricated, everything prepped, the welding itself, cleanup, putting the car back on the lot, and perhaps a brief test drive.


This reminds me of an old story where a pieceof very complicated equipment went down.  The company called the equipment maker who sent out a technician to fix the problem.  The technician spent 1/2 hour doing something and submitted the bill.  $800.  The company manager was stunned and asked for an itimization of the bill since he argued the work only took 30 minutes it should have just billed about $30.  So the technician re wrote the bill: 

Reset mechanism:   $30.00
Knowing how to reset mechanism:  $770.00


The point is there are costs in the background that must be covered.


I needed to do a bit of welding so rather than take the piece to the shop I bought a flux wire welder, auto darkening hood, proper gloves and safety stuff, spare tips and wire, etc.  I haven't recouped the cost in what I've saved by doing it myself.  And no one is welding a job like that in "10 seconds".

How many times do I have to say that I am talking about GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER. More times, I guess...
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER
GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER means you don't go to shops with high overhead costs for minor repairs. Did I already say that? Did I? Yes, I did. Of course, nobody will acknowledge that fact because they are too busy trying to lecture me about how to run a business. Do you go to a Lamborghini dealership to get an oil change on a Taurus? Well, you probably would, but I'd go to Jimbo's Lube Xpress, because I know he's good at lubes, but has low overhead and reasonable prices. Fuck.

[Onslaught]

I could go to my shop and get a paint job fro about +2K.
I could go to Maco and get one for $250.00

Now the cheap one is a good price but the work is shit. If I took my car in to have something welded on it and they just charged me $40 to do it then I'd think they sucked ass.
I wouldn't even go look at a car for that much.

[Byteme]

GETTING THE BEST DEAL AS A CONSUMER means you don't go to shops with high overhead costs for minor repairs. Did I already say that? Did I? Yes, I did. Of course, nobody will acknowledge that fact because they are too busy trying to lecture me about how to run a business. Do you go to a Lamborghini dealership to get an oil change on a Taurus? Well, you probably would, but I'd go to Jimbo's Lube Xpress, because I know he's good at lubes, but has low overhead and reasonable prices. Fuck.

No, I understood exactly what you meant.  I was simply pointing out that the price paid in this instance might not be an unfair price. $40 for the same job may be OK, Could be one could find a welder who isn't doning much that day and wants to do something for a few dollars.  Could also be that $80 is the right price and $40 buys a crap job.

In the oil change example you left out the only viable choice for me.  I'd change my own oil.    

[the Teuton]

The breakdown for the price was this:

Parts $20
Labor $60
Student discount: $6
7% tax
--------------------
$79.18

I have no way of telling how the work was without jacking the car up, but it's really quiet.

[S204STi]

An hour labor ain't bad, and if this shop has low overhead 60/hr might be reasonable.

[the Teuton]

An hour labor ain't bad, and if this shop has low overhead 60/hr might be reasonable.

It's a guy working out of his garage. But somehow he has the ability to make it all work, so I'm not complaining.

[Byteme]

It's a guy working out of his garage. But somehow he has the ability to make it all work, so I'm not complaining.

At the end of the day that's all that matters.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Guess what:

I like turtles.

[Onslaught]

Guess what:

I like turtles.

Mutant Ninja Turtles?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Mutant Ninja Turtles?

No. They use their novelty to pass on their excessive overhead to the people, and Shredder continues to come back time, and time again.

[JWC]

The best deals for the consumer are at Walmart.

[Raza]

It has 628 on the trip odometer. I know I left it with right around 600ish because I left work with it at 580 the other day, and it takes about 20 miles to get home. Still, water under the bridge. I only put $7 of gas in it last week.

You get 600+ miles on a tank?

[S204STi]

Pretty nice range!  I get maybe 300 on a tank most of the time.

[Raza]

Pretty nice range!  I get maybe 300 on a tank most of the time.

I think I can push it out to 375-400 if I get decent traffic, but I usually end up fueling at around 320-350.  The worst thing is hopping on the highway, getting 20 miles out, and realizing you don't have enough gas to make it to work.  It hasn't happened yet, since I keep a tight lid on it, but I have gotten close.  You get in the car, fire it up, look at the gas gauge and say "I have enough gas to make it to work...if traffic is light..."

[J86]

I think I can push it out to 375-400 if I get decent traffic, but I usually end up fueling at around 320-350.  The worst thing is hopping on the highway, getting 20 miles out, and realizing you don't have enough gas to make it to work.  It hasn't happened yet, since I keep a tight lid on it, but I have gotten close.  You get in the car, fire it up, look at the gas gauge and say "I have enough gas to make it to work...if traffic is light..."

I'm vaguely anal about this.  I can't stand embarking on a long trip with less than a full tank.  Even if I have more than half a tank, if it's going to be a long drive I like to start topped off.

[S204STi]

I think I can push it out to 375-400 if I get decent traffic, but I usually end up fueling at around 320-350.  The worst thing is hopping on the highway, getting 20 miles out, and realizing you don't have enough gas to make it to work.  It hasn't happened yet, since I keep a tight lid on it, but I have gotten close.  You get in the car, fire it up, look at the gas gauge and say "I have enough gas to make it to work...if traffic is light..."

I did that once when the next gas station was 55mi away.  I made it almost exactly 53mi on a solid fuel tank light before running out.

[Raza]

I'm vaguely anal about this.  I can't stand embarking on a long trip with less than a full tank.  Even if I have more than half a tank, if it's going to be a long drive I like to start topped off.

I'm the same way.  Whenever I'd drive to or from school, (210 miles), I always knew it would take no more than half a tank.  I never made the trip without a full tank though. 

[S204STi]

I'm a bit different.  I like to cover as much territory as quickly as possible, so sometimes I just start off even if I know I need to fuel up later and try to make it as far as I can before stopping.  Odd logic I know... if I just filled up to start with I guess I'd make it even further before stopping again.

[Rupert]

He doesn't get 600 miles to a tank.

[Raza]

He doesn't get 600 miles to a tank.

Are you saying he doesn't reset his trip odometer with each tank?  That's insanity!

[Rupert]

That is what I am saying, and what I am saying is that.

[Raza]

That is what I am saying, and what I am saying is that.

Insanity!

[AutobahnSHO]

My longest trip on one tank is 250miles, in the Subie.  (Small tank, I get about 22mpg, mostly the 5miles to work and back.)
The van does 450+, I'm not sure since I don't fill it up that often. At least the wife DOES reset the tripmeter on fillups now..

[Onslaught]

I'm vaguely anal about this.  I can't stand embarking on a long trip with less than a full tank.  Even if I have more than half a tank, if it's going to be a long drive I like to start topped off.

I'm the same way. But when one cars tank is the size of a thimble and the other one sucks fuel faster than I can drink rum then I've got no choice.

[Rupert]

When I drive west out of ID, I leave on whatever gas I have, and stop at The Last Gas Station That Lets You Pump Your Own before hitting Oregon.

[the Teuton]

I'm lucky to get much better than 350 miles per tank if I push it. My tank is only 12 gallons. It has a small bladder.

[Raza]

I've only got 14 gallons myself.  I fill up 7-8 times a month.