Dealer cost a shit ton and local shops are a bit cheaper. I prefer to buy my parts but I can't find a shop that would install them. Yourmechanic.com has reasonable prices but the reviews are so and so. Anyone have experience with them?
. I prefer to buy my parts
Most shops don't like you supplying parts because if something happens is it the part's fault or the mechanic's? Too much risk unless you have a good relationship with said shop. Cheaping out on a mechanic isn't a good idea in the long run.
Mostly because shop also make money from the parts.
Little bit of both.
When I ran my shop if someone brought their own parts I just marked my labor up. BUT I made it clear if the part broke it was on them to get the warranty from it, not me.
Why would you mark the labor up? Either way they would blame it on you(owner of car) parts or no parts.
Yes, but from my experience most shops use decent parts to avoid that situation. They're certainly better than most of the crap you get from Autozone. I've had friends buy parts for me through their parts people and they're usually OE quality if not OE manufacturer.
To make up from not marking the parts up. Its a business, not a charity.
A shop has more than just the tech pay. There is a lot of overhead cost in a good repair shop.
Understand not a charity but don't you have a labor cost reference? Isnt that what the industry use or Is it labor cost plus overhead cost?
Exactly. Most people want to bring their own parts to save money.
no, but i also don't get a separate line item food charge at a restaurant.Do you bring your own eggs to the restaurant?
Perhaps, but with labor rates hovering around $120 an hour they're not poor either...at least the shop owners.I'm still giggling over this.
Ever see a rich auto-mechanic? There aren't too many of them. If you drive their profits down much by buying cheap spare parts, then they are just going to raise their labor rates to make up for it on your job. They need to make money just like you need to make money.
I prefer to buy my parts but I can't find a shop that would install them.
How would I know if shop parts is better quality than what I found?
Perhaps, but with labor rates hovering around $120 an hour they're not poor either...at least the shop owners.
A lot of GM parts are made in China now, so your guess is as good as mine when it comes to parts quality. The thing is, most shop gives a labor warranty on the parts they sell, so you can bank on that.
What happens when a guy brings in cheap brakes for you to put on. Sure you warn him and charge him extra, but what happens when he goes out and causes a big accident? The judge will be asking YOU why YOU installed inferior parts on this guys car. .