Junkman
Extra Super Moderator
Had to have the car emissions and safety inspected. $29 (cash only)..... Needed to have the two catalytic converters replace .. $244 parts, $150 3 hours labor, $12.20 tax. Total $406.20......
4 new tires.....$376.16, $39.80 install, disposal fee, road hazard guarantee, lifetime balance & rotation, $18.81 tax....Total $434.77
Check engine light not working needed to be done at a Ford dealer.. $3.00 for the bulb.... $82.95 one hours labor to change bulb... $8.51 shop supplies and EPA Compliance fee...Sales tax..$5.67. total $100.13 Total time worked on car 35 minuted from driving it into shop and driving it out to parking lot ..... Why is it that the independent shops don't have this $8.51 additional cost and high labor charges. The tire dealer mounted the tires, balanced them and then disposed of the 4 old tires. The muffler shop removed the old catalytic converters, installed new ones and disposed of the old ones. The Ford dealer wanted approximately $1200 parts cost for the catalytic converters, plus 3 hours labor, a hazardous waste disposal fee, plus the shop supplies and the EPA compliance fee. I also priced the same tires at the dealership and they were $20 per tire more expensive, plus they charged for mounting, balancing, & disposal, shop materials and EPA Compliance fees. All that would have added more than another $100 to the cost of the tires, which were already over priced. It is no wonder that the car dealers and the American automobile manufacturers are having a hard time winning back customers. The interesting thing about the Ford dealer was that they were so slow work wise, that they took it in immediately without an appointment. There were a few mechanics mulling around outside, since there was no work for them inside. I wonder if the dealership screwed the mechanic by only paying him for 1/2 hours labor... I wouldn't doubt it..
I expect that they will be installing pay toilets in the dealerships soon, since toilet paper prices have gone up a few pennies this past year.
4 new tires.....$376.16, $39.80 install, disposal fee, road hazard guarantee, lifetime balance & rotation, $18.81 tax....Total $434.77
Check engine light not working needed to be done at a Ford dealer.. $3.00 for the bulb.... $82.95 one hours labor to change bulb... $8.51 shop supplies and EPA Compliance fee...Sales tax..$5.67. total $100.13 Total time worked on car 35 minuted from driving it into shop and driving it out to parking lot ..... Why is it that the independent shops don't have this $8.51 additional cost and high labor charges. The tire dealer mounted the tires, balanced them and then disposed of the 4 old tires. The muffler shop removed the old catalytic converters, installed new ones and disposed of the old ones. The Ford dealer wanted approximately $1200 parts cost for the catalytic converters, plus 3 hours labor, a hazardous waste disposal fee, plus the shop supplies and the EPA compliance fee. I also priced the same tires at the dealership and they were $20 per tire more expensive, plus they charged for mounting, balancing, & disposal, shop materials and EPA Compliance fees. All that would have added more than another $100 to the cost of the tires, which were already over priced. It is no wonder that the car dealers and the American automobile manufacturers are having a hard time winning back customers. The interesting thing about the Ford dealer was that they were so slow work wise, that they took it in immediately without an appointment. There were a few mechanics mulling around outside, since there was no work for them inside. I wonder if the dealership screwed the mechanic by only paying him for 1/2 hours labor... I wouldn't doubt it..
I expect that they will be installing pay toilets in the dealerships soon, since toilet paper prices have gone up a few pennies this past year.