|
You are forgetting the cost of that lovely air conditioned glass fronted showroom with free coffee, kids play area and waiting area with a widescreen TV.
|
And don't forget the cost of the a/c regas machine, diagnostic m/c, brake bleeder m/c, ramps, exhaust extraction system, tools, training, service liability cost, 3rd party liability cost, road risks cost, employers liability cost, health and safety procedure costs, valeters salaries, waste disposal cost, courtesy cars, etc. And don't forget they can never book 38hrs
labour per person, it's usually 60% of that max, then subtract VAT, corporation tax & depreciation on computers.
|
accepted that there are costs over pure labour, but many independant specialists also have the full range of facilities/equipment of the main dealer and yet still do not charge anywhere near as much.
interestly a main dealer charges £70/hr plus vat, but a manufactuers approved bodyshops (as used by the main dealer) only charges £25/hr + vat for labour and yet has many of the same facilities as the dealer.
|
|
What would you expect to pay as an hourly rate?There is nothing for nothing in this life,and why cant the people that run a workshop expect to earn a reasonable living.There are always choices.
|
|
I keep telling my boss that about my hourly rate.... He doesn't seem to pay much attention mind you! :)
|
|
|
There are always choices. and of course there is nothing for nothing in this life. The original poster howevever was looking for a comparison between what different dealers charge.
From what I understand different dealers for the same make of car charge varying amounts. Furthermore a dealer in another EU country is often cheaper for exactly the same work than in the UK. How much labour per hour does your dealer charge? never do you ever seen a sign outside??
Interestely a read of Honest John Service Scams is aimed at identifying sharp practive (www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/index.htm?news_id=380)however
I know of a LandRover main dealer who does two of the items on the list - screenwash & sundry items)
One dealer may charge in excess of £80/hr and another £40/hr but no doubt the dealer charging the higher amount gets away with it, if they didnt get the work then they would soon reduce there charge.
Have a look for a indepedant specialist. They knowledge is often greater than the dealers, at a lower cost.
|
|
Be careful just comparing hourly rates. Many official times that are charged by main dealers just can't be done in the time charged. So you need to ask how much to do the job, not how much per hour. Take for example a Galaxy evaporator replacement. Ford charge for 7 hours, but having done a few myself, I can honestly say it can't be done in that time. Everything you see in front of you as you sit in the seats comes out. Centre console, airbags,the whole dash, steering column, drop pedal box, drain coolant, remove complete heater box, split box, then put it all back together again, reset airbag lights, calibrate climate panel, refil a/c, refil coolant and bleed, test everything, and then hope it all works correctly and nothing leaks.
|
On the other hand, I know an independent Citroen specialist who can do a CX clutch in 40 minutes (book time 4 hours).
My SWMBO used to work for a car leasing co, they employed three ex-service managers whose sole job was to negotiate down prices for overcharged work by main dealers. of course, they knew what the "book" time was, and they wouldn't pay a penny more. You can do this kind of thing when you run a 30,000+ car fleet.
|
On the other hand, I know an independent Citroen specialist who can do a CX clutch in 40 minutes
That's quick, considering a certain Citroen garage in Wiltshire took 4 weeks to do a Berlingo van!!
|
|
|
|
PeteH
When thinking of Main Dealer labour rates think of what plumbers, electricians and gas fitters charge per hour. They can clock up charges just as quickly without any of the overheads of a dealership.
Have you ever seen 'Rogue Traders' on TV when they wire a house with covert video and get a tradesman in to fix a hot water tank?
|
When i was a contract electrician ,i never created work or overcharged, so don't assume everyone does (not saying you are). When charged by a craftsman you should expect to be charged not only for what they do/can do, but for the knowledge they have.
Expect dealer chargers to increase along with the need for "lap top technicians" to be trained.
|
jud
No offence intended to you but, as with all trades there are a few that prey on the unsuspecting, rip them off and give the whole industry a bad name which really frustrates me.
I work in automotive aftersales marketing and vehicle manufacturers are trying to make things fairer and more transparent but consumers are very synical from previous stunts pulled by dealers. With Block Exemption changes coming in I hope things will get better due to more competition.
Charles
|
Independent specialists may well be cheaper, but their knowledge is unlikely to stay current. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
A scam to watch out for is a charge for "consumables". Refuse to pay it unless the dealer can itemise exactly what consumable items were used during the servicing of YOUR vehicle.
|
|
|
|
|
