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No-one is stopping him starting up his own business and charging 50 euro per hour. If it were that easy we'd all be doing it
Servicing: Have I been stiched up like a kipper??
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519 Posts
Last time I used a garage was January 2007. I left the 155 into Gerry Campbell ..... TI Autos in Dublin. He replaced the belts, tensioners, pulleys etc and changed the engine oil... Invoice came to around €800 if my memory is correct. Gerry is a independent Alfa specialist with a superb track record. If I had a Vauxhall Astra I would have been shocked.... I got excellent value for money, excellent workmanship etc..
Alfa's are not 'cheap' cars....but mine have never broke down!
Alfa's are not 'cheap' cars....but mine have never broke down!
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5,759 Posts
The type of washer Pud described are called Dowty washers. There are lots of sizes available at around 30 to 50p each.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-x-M14-METRIC-Bonded-Dowty-Seal-Self-Centering-Washer-/260693338898?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cb288ab12
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7,147 Posts
I get the impression there's a few posters here who don't run their own businesses.
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7,066 Posts
Point 1, It was not us that did the work and I don’t know who it was
Point 2, It is important when quoting a job to quote the figure you are going to charge
Point 3, why would a customer pay more than they have been quoted when collecting their car without a clear explanation?
The time for questioning the bill is when you are presenting with it, I always make sure when I dealing with payment the customer knows exactly what they are paying for and that they are happy with what they are getting for their money.
Cost of a sump plug washer is not the issue, lets put this down to communication between parties
Ned
Point 2, It is important when quoting a job to quote the figure you are going to charge
Point 3, why would a customer pay more than they have been quoted when collecting their car without a clear explanation?
The time for questioning the bill is when you are presenting with it, I always make sure when I dealing with payment the customer knows exactly what they are paying for and that they are happy with what they are getting for their money.
Cost of a sump plug washer is not the issue, lets put this down to communication between parties
Ned
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5,759 Posts
I totally agree with all of that Ned.
My comment on the sump plug washer was meant as a sracastic comment. To me it illustates a workshop wringing every last penny out of a customer. Irrespective of what Alfa Romeo charge for the genuine part, the fact is that genuine Dowty branded washers are available far more cheaply if they are bought from engineering suppliers instead of individually wrapped items flown in from Italy.
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1,417 Posts
Here, local alfa experienced independents would work happily for £6/hour. They make much less here and work 7 days/week and holidays too; because customers always come on holidays...
That make UK sound pretty expensive right? FALSE! We need to consider so many factors: Horrid income taxes, municipal taxes, cost of living for all the garage staff (and their pets) and who knows what other taxes people can't imagine. Running a business is expensive.
That make UK sound pretty expensive right? FALSE! We need to consider so many factors: Horrid income taxes, municipal taxes, cost of living for all the garage staff (and their pets
) and who knows what other taxes people can't imagine. Running a business is expensive.
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140 Posts
I know exactly what they are but a bag of them doe'nt cost £1 was the point I was making. I wanted a link from the OP to a full bag of 18mm dowty washers for a £1. :thumbs:
Thankyou for this comment much appreciated.
I know all us DIY-ers may say its alot, but how many of us can do all that lot in 4 hours?
a cambelt change normally takes me a weekend to get done, especially when I have broken something else in the process. The hourly rate includes cost of premises, insurance, tools, computer systems, receptionists pay, phone calls etc etc, the wages of the guy doing the job are almost incidental.
Not a rip off, as said, more a communication issue, £500 was probably for a belt change, whereas you have had a belt change and a service.
HTH
a cambelt change normally takes me a weekend to get done, especially when I have broken something else in the process. The hourly rate includes cost of premises, insurance, tools, computer systems, receptionists pay, phone calls etc etc, the wages of the guy doing the job are almost incidental.
Not a rip off, as said, more a communication issue, £500 was probably for a belt change, whereas you have had a belt change and a service.
HTH
G
Guest
·I think for the work you had done the price seems about right, thats a full service, all filters and the cambelt service. They should really have clarified the price before going ahead with the job so that'd be my complaint. Otherwise, look at it this way, you'll just need a couple of oil changes on your service for the next couple of years!
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1,013 Posts
Servicing costs are often contentious, yours is really doesn't seem too bad - the issue here imo is the 500/700 price differential, which as mentioned upthread should have been clarified when collecting the car.
I used to do most of my own servicing/repairs but now have no decent space to do this in and the difference in complexity between the flat four alfa's I used to work on and the newer engines would make me think twice - who thought up that variator/belt design anyway (and, whilst I'm at it, as for my 156 anti roll bar bushes and alternator, was it the same guy who 'hid' them?!).
I use CP Garage services in Dundee, who whilst not cheap do let you know what you're in for and will phone if there are any problems/complications.
I used to do most of my own servicing/repairs but now have no decent space to do this in and the difference in complexity between the flat four alfa's I used to work on and the newer engines would make me think twice - who thought up that variator/belt design anyway (and, whilst I'm at it, as for my 156 anti roll bar bushes and alternator, was it the same guy who 'hid' them?!).
I use CP Garage services in Dundee, who whilst not cheap do let you know what you're in for and will phone if there are any problems/complications.
I agree!
Moaning about paying a couple of quid for a washer?
A business has to pay someone to raise an order for parts, to monitor stock levels, to receive the parts when they are delivered, to pay the invoice from the supplier etc etc, hence there is obviously going to be a mark-up on them.
Nope. Defo discussed the full cam belt, service and pump. To be fair, not the gear box oil. I'm no expert on Alfas but from the VW's I've owned, the only time you change the gear box oil is if you accidently drop it.
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140 Posts
Just returned with my car - Replaced cam belt kit, counter balance belt,aux belts.rocker cover gasket, oil (10-60 selenia), oil filter, water pump, spark plugs, k & n replacement air filter element(supplied by me), front brake pads, fuel filter, pollen filter and they threw in a litre bottle of selenia to top up with
Total £722.11 ( labour £255.20 parts £346.55 and VAT £120.36)
slightly more than agreed as i didnt realise the front pads were so thin - but they phoned and confirmed the work prior to doing it. So i'm happy with what they did.
Total £722.11 ( labour £255.20 parts £346.55 and VAT £120.36)
slightly more than agreed as i didnt realise the front pads were so thin - but they phoned and confirmed the work prior to doing it. So i'm happy with what they did.
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19,120 Posts
Yes but you have a ts. its an easier job:thumbs:
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321 Posts
And I will also add a comment to say that JJB do keep you in the loop all the way through! Cannot fault there service or aftercare! :thumbs:Thankyou for this comment much appreciated.
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1,067 Posts
One comment was several posters dont run there own buisness moaning about charging a couple of quid for a washer. I run my own business (been doing so here for 10+ years) ive plenty of customers coming to me with Alfas and i dont itemise washers at £2.00 each.My labour rates are half the original posting paid and people wait a week to get booked in.Im not trying to get smart as ive actually used Neds services for parts and been well pleased but all operators vary and charge different prices relative to overheads.I sell good secondhand twinspark engines at £250-£300 some want £700 horses for courses.
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