Newbie mechanic visit question...

[Yesterday617]

So it's been a LONG time since I've gone to a mechanic with my car, but with the overheating issue, I figured it'd be good to have it checked out. (bought the '90 325i about a month ago).

It was the fan clutch, which I knew anyway, and was easy to diagnose. The guy charged me $130 for the part, which is about $70 when I search on the Ineternet, and $37.50 (1/2 hour) for labor.

I'm not complaining about the price 'cause he REALLY knew what he was doing, and came off a reccomendation from a friend, and the garage is directly across from my office. I was just wondering if it's normal for them to charge such a markup on the parts? I want to go back to these guys but don't want to do so ignorantly. This sound right?

(p.s. I'll know after work if it fixed the problem! I can only guess that it did 'cause the fan clutch is working wonderfully now.)

 

[Big Daddy]

I would confront them about the expense of the part, charging double the internet price seems high. I could understand if he had charged a little more than internet prices as he is entitled to some markup, but that does seem extreme.

 

[Yesterday617]

that's what I thought...

I would confront them about the expense of the part, charging double the internet price seems high. I could understand if he had charged a little more than internet prices as he is entitled to some markup, but that does seem extreme.

I do understand some markup, but practically FULL list price seemed high.

Well, what's done is done. I will return to the mechanic, but will mention this next time and try to get a better deal. This was just one of the guys at the place, and the main guy, the owner, who was the one recommended, wasn't there. Maybe I'll get him next time. Thanks.

 

[AZRobert]

Autohaus says that the sugested list price is $141. Most shops (including mine) charge the manufacturers sugested list price . Its is just how we make money so we can stay in business.
That is one of the reasons most shops will not install customer supplied parts (unless the customer signs a waiver for warranty - if they supplied part, that means that they or someone else may have mis-diagnosed the problem, and the shop cannot be expected to warranty a part that they did not supply.)

 

[ldzpstnr]

Yea places like Napa and Carquest charge about that price too. I have a really good part guy that gets me parts at like 20% over his cost, and through him I paid $75 i think.

 

[Ben]

i got a new fan clutch at autozone for $75