Cost of setting timing, on a V8 ??
I have read some of your quotes. Think of what you are saying. It is ok to charge $150.00 to open the hood check the timing and turn two screws.
That would be like charging someone to check their fluids and clean their windows. God forbid shops have to buy tools. That shop just paid for his timing light with one customer.
Another thing you guys are forgetting is the price mark up on parts prices. Most shops make their money on Parts. The mark up is almost double for no work at all and they are delivered.
Yes all my hand tools are paid for and I didn't pay for them by ripping people off on diagnosing or estimates. I actually did some work in my day.
You pay your bills with returning customers. If they don't come back you run out of customers .
It has always been good practice to treat first time clients well. It gives them the incentive to return
Just my advise
Do you think RPMagoo would go back to get an actual tune up. Wonder what that would cost him?
I got many timing chain jobs by just showing people they have slack in their chain for free. Or showing them that they have other issues besides timing and fuel mixture problems. That is how you keep customers returning. Giving a little may yield more than you think.
You younger guys think if you buy a Snap-on box and rent a big shop your labor rate is higher than that of a Craftsman tool little shop owner guy with the same knowledge. You are only fooling yourself if you get in over your head before you establish a good clientele. You then deserve to sink.
My advise to RPMagoo is don't ever go back and warn others of his high rates. I would post the shops name and area. That's me like it or not.
I've run two shops. One a restoration shop, one a general repair shop.
While I never got rich off either one, I did so honestly and with integrity.
I used to love some of the guys who would come in with a car and ask for an estimate on a restoration. I'd had them a price and they'd ask me why I was so expensive as to compared to the body shop down the street.
Um, because I quoted you a restoration, the other guy quoted you a paint job.
Instead of asking me why I'm so expensive, ask the other guy why the other guy why he's so cheap.
The OP could have asked for an estimated charge up front. The guy said two hours at $75 an hour 'cause the book said two hours flat rate charge he could have walked away.
From what I gather he said, "I want this done," and then had to pay for the work.
Too damned bad.
*You* don't like the other guy's price? Undercut him.
To say post his name, blah, blah, blah..
Really? You're trying to ruin a guy's business because *you* don't like his price based on what? The OP not getting an estimate or a quote before hand? Because *you* would do it for free? How magnanimous of you.