so took the bike to dealer (which shall remain nameless for now) for 1st service. which actually took 1 hr. then at the service counter im getting ready to pay, the lady put down 1 hr on the computer. then she realized it's first service, changed the 1 hr to 2 hrs...
is it normal for bike shops to charge "more" for labour?
- Thread starter SkyRider
- Start date
Yes...There is generally a "fixed" labor time allotted for many repairs that is billable. If the mechanic can do it quicker, it's a bonus for the shop. It's also a burden for them if the job had to take longer. In cases of a first service in particular, a flat rate of 2 hours would likely cover shop supplies, etc. It's far easier to flat rate than to itemize every last thing; it would take another labor hour to do that, lol
Standard practice for all dealers. Goes by the 'book' which dictates jobs in Units. So if your 1st service was oil/filter/check all nuts and bolts kind of thing, then they have # time units they can charge. It may take a skilled technician 30 min. but they will charge what the book says. All BS, if you ask me. That' why I do all regular maintenance plus any work that I can do. Invest in a manual, it'll pay for itself many times.
Usually most shops will charge you the book value when it takes less time and then charge more if it takes longer (or sometimes the same as the book value).
The worst example for me, while not based on book value, was when I brought some control arms into Can Tire (only thing open that day) to get some bushings pushed in. Guy tells me it could take awhile so they'll charge me an hour of labour. Ok fine, I guess. Seems high just to push some bushings in but I was stuck so I couldn't say no. Literally 30 seconds after I hand over the control arms to the guy and turn around to go browse while I wait, I get called on the PA system. I go back and say, "So do I still have to pay for a full hour? That took less than a minute..." Guy goes, "Yep. We gotta pay for the machine somehow."
That was probably the first sign I shouldn't shop for car repairs or parts at Can Tire. There were many more incidents since and now I won't go near the place unless I just need to buy some cheap crap not related to cars. If you want a story about how a store with the word "tire" in it fails epically at tires, shoot me a PM.
The worst example for me, while not based on book value, was when I brought some control arms into Can Tire (only thing open that day) to get some bushings pushed in. Guy tells me it could take awhile so they'll charge me an hour of labour. Ok fine, I guess. Seems high just to push some bushings in but I was stuck so I couldn't say no. Literally 30 seconds after I hand over the control arms to the guy and turn around to go browse while I wait, I get called on the PA system. I go back and say, "So do I still have to pay for a full hour? That took less than a minute..." Guy goes, "Yep. We gotta pay for the machine somehow."
That was probably the first sign I shouldn't shop for car repairs or parts at Can Tire. There were many more incidents since and now I won't go near the place unless I just need to buy some cheap crap not related to cars. If you want a story about how a store with the word "tire" in it fails epically at tires, shoot me a PM.
If you don't like it, do it yourself like many of us do. There will be nothing to complain about, but yourself.
EaZ8
Well-known member
bonus for the mechanic as well... some shops allow for say 4 hrs, job takes 3 they get paid for the 4 and get to start the next job early.
i know 1 mechanic that was working on a northstar cadillac, he had done hundreds of head gaskets on them over the years so he could do it crazy fast. the shop allowed for 13 hrs, the hoist next to him was vacant so he threw it up on there and worked on it between other jobs for 3 days. he probably logged 6 actual hrs on the car.
i had to change a part on my car, shop book rate was 6 hrs... i did it in 45 min. they tell you to take off parts you dont have to and they allot for all that time, there are always shortcuts.
Usually most shops will charge you the book value when it takes less time and then charge more if it takes longer (or sometimes the same as the book value).
The worst example for me, while not based on book value, was when I brought some control arms into Can Tire (only thing open that day) to get some bushings pushed in. Guy tells me it could take awhile so they'll charge me an hour of labour. Ok fine, I guess. Seems high just to push some bushings in but I was stuck so I couldn't say no. Literally 30 seconds after I hand over the control arms to the guy and turn around to go browse while I wait, I get called on the PA system. I go back and say, "So do I still have to pay for a full hour? That took less than a minute..." Guy goes, "Yep. We gotta pay for the machine somehow."
That was probably the first sign I shouldn't shop for car repairs or parts at Can Tire. There were many more incidents since and now I won't go near the place unless I just need to buy some cheap crap not related to cars. If you want a story about how a store with the word "tire" in it fails epically at tires, shoot me a PM.
Unless he's banned, ZX600 chimes in, in: 5.....................4...........................3.........................2....................
Oh - 1st service = joke.
Is there ANYONE in here that has actually had a problem with a new bike that you weren't aware of, but found out about it during the "1st Service"??
I've never taken any of my new bikes in for one. Recalls - different stroy.
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I tried. Couldn't get them pressed in with my vice like my online instructions told me. Needed the shop press.
Had another time on another car I was trying to press out the bearings with some screw-type mechanical extractor thing. No matter how much I tightened it I couldn't get them out. Luckily this time I had a better mechanic (closer, too) that slapped them into his press and 5 minutes later (at 3000 lbs pressure) got them out. Don't think he charged me anything.
it's no burden if it takes longer. They just charge you more. You lose either way. That's why you need to find a trustworthy shop.
RandomHero
Well-known member
Usually most shops will charge you the book value when it takes less time and then charge more if it takes longer (or sometimes the same as the book value).
The worst example for me, while not based on book value, was when I brought some control arms into Can Tire (only thing open that day) to get some bushings pushed in. Guy tells me it could take awhile so they'll charge me an hour of labour. Ok fine, I guess. Seems high just to push some bushings in but I was stuck so I couldn't say no. Literally 30 seconds after I hand over the control arms to the guy and turn around to go browse while I wait, I get called on the PA system. I go back and say, "So do I still have to pay for a full hour? That took less than a minute..." Guy goes, "Yep. We gotta pay for the machine somehow."
That was probably the first sign I shouldn't shop for car repairs or parts at Can Tire. There were many more incidents since and now I won't go near the place unless I just need to buy some cheap crap not related to cars. If you want a story about how a store with the word "tire" in it fails epically at tires, shoot me a PM.
I don't get what your probelm is. Mechanics aren't charities. He told you how much it would cost and you agreed. What difference does it make if it takes him 45 minutes or 45 seconds?
Flip side of that coin is when your paid 2 hours for a job and it takes you 8. More fun then that is when the shop is slow, going in for your 8 hour day and not making a dime.
As a customer why does it matter if the mechanic has a slow day and not making a dime. If it takes him 2 hours to change a rear tire than he should not expect repeat and referral customers. He shouldn't even be charging 2 hours for a half hour job to change out the rear tire just because he's never worked on this particular bike before. And to make matters worst he loosened the welded pipe shield.
As a customer why does it matter how the mechanic gets paid?
If your told up front you will be charged 2 hours why are you complaining when they charge 2 hours when its done?
except the shop will just charge the customer 8 hrs when it really took 2.
When my fried started working at Canadian Tire he was telling me about the pay. He had the choice to be paid hourly or by job. If he took hourly, no matter how slow or fast it was, he would get paid (I think it was around 18$). If he took it by job, then he would get paid by the book time for each job. So he could potentially make a lot more if it was busy and he took less time than what the book says.
He agreed to do it by the job and found he made about the same as hourly. It's all great when someone brings in a newer car, but when someone rolls up in their 80's or 90's shitbox with every nut and bolt rusted and seized, you won't be making much money that day.
He agreed to do it by the job and found he made about the same as hourly. It's all great when someone brings in a newer car, but when someone rolls up in their 80's or 90's shitbox with every nut and bolt rusted and seized, you won't be making much money that day.
You really are having a hard time understanding this aren't you.
The shop can go by the book so that it's standard across the board. Or they can charge a lot more for everything to make up for when the shop is slow but they still need to pay the mechanics and for the equipment.
Next time just demand to the manager that you want your bike to sit at the bay for your full 2 hours. Refuse to take the bike back until you get your full 2 hours. Especially if its perfect riding weather outside.
