£114 per hour labour charge- wow!

[POH]

I'm just putting some paving slabs down out the front so I can wheel the bikes over it easily. By doing it myself, the longer it takes, the more money I save think I'll charge myself £150/hou

you have possibly saved about £400 you will get at most a couple of pints and her indoors will spend the rest

 

[jockaneezer]

I used to repair/service/install garage equipment (hoists/compressors/oil systems etc) mechanics do talk to each other. The guy running a small outfit will probably know the service manager at Mercedes or Volvo or whatever and they're usually quite happy to share knowledge as it generally works both ways ?
I've fitted out new builds for major brands and some of the requirements for the workshop would put an operating theatre to shame, does it get your car fixed any better, probably not, but it does add to your bill !
I've been in garages where they have lost the franchise of a particular brand because some "suit" has decided on a "corporate makeover" and now all their outlets must meet a particular "design" from the carpet in the waiting room, to the type of taps in the toilets, all costs that have to be added on to the customers bill.
Then there's the plain old out and out price gouging like a pal of mine experienced at our local Audi dealer's. Took his car in for a service and was charged £11 for screen wash. He told the receptionist that he'd checked the car over the day previous and he topped up the screen wash himself and there was no way they could have got any in ? She told him he would find a half litre bottle of screen wash in his glove box, he gave her it back and had it removed from his bill !

 

[nicholsong]

.
Then there's the plain old out and out price gouging like a pal of mine experienced at our local Audi dealer's. Took his car in for a service and was charged £11 for screen wash. He told the receptionist that he'd checked the car over the day previous and he topped up the screen wash himself and there was no way they could have got any in ? She told him he would find a half litre bottle of screen wash in his glove box, he gave her it back and had it removed from his bill !

For screenwash, it is possible to make it up from powder washing machine detergent, not dishwashing.

 

[cyberyacht]

I think ALL labour charges are noticeably north of £100ph these days. The posher the outfit, the higher the labour charges. It's the coffee, newspapers/magazines and piped music that does it.

 

[Coolcats]

That was in the case of one specific item! In the past I and plenty of others have had pretty poor service from main dealers yes their staff will benefit from more CPD but may have less experience I certainly think they are more likely to change whole units than find the actual faulty item. Do you think everyone who works for a main dealer is knowledgeable and experienced I suspect there are a lot on here who would disagree.

I worked for a couple of main dealer’s when I was an apprentice are you suggesting that my lack of experience at that time was detrimental to customers?

The reality is an apprentice works within boundaries and tends to be mentored by a senior technician who also has access to the team. I think you’re being harsh thinking that a main dealer is worse and has less experienced people than a non main dealer. There are cowboys in all industries

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[busbuddy]

One of my friends has been quoted £694 + labour at £212 an hour to restore their 2015 fiesta's infotainment system

 

[G-RMPS]

A car mechanic and a heart surgeon were having a beer in a pub. The mechanic was complaining that the surgeon got paid much more than him.

The mechanic: “We both have qualifications, and follow-up training, we both fix things, we should be paid the same.”

The surgeon replied: “Can you change the engine valves with the engine running?”

 

[dunnah01]

If I had to use garages I'd get the bus

 

[Steve and Denise]

If I had to use garages I'd get the bus

Not every person has the same expertise as your self, hence have to rely on mere mechanics (employees) of larger companies to fix things for them

 

[dunnah01]

Not every person has the same expertise as your self, hence have to rely on mere mechanics (employees) of larger companies to fix things for them

I'm definitely no expert but neither, it seems, are the garages

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[Steve and Denise]

I'm definitely no expert but neither, it seems, are the garages

Hence we are tied to paying what they ask

 

[The general]

Do you keep all the back issues!

Collectors items as most vintage ‘ adult ‘
mags

 

[Beltie]

I think ALL labour charges are noticeably north of £100ph these days. The posher the outfit, the higher the labour charges. It's the coffee, newspapers/magazines and piped music that does it.

I suspect energy costs might just have something to do with it as well. The things you mention are inconsequential in the overall scheme of things.

 

[pelican]

Collectors items as most vintage ‘ adult ‘
mags

Go on!

 

[The general]

Go on!

All sorts ! Spick and span , etc the ones as a youth you saw in newagents window with pieces of cardboard covering the vital oarts and many others sam fox in mayfair sorings to mine

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[pelican]

All sorts ! Spick and span , etc the ones as a youth you saw in newagents window with pieces of cardboard covering the vital oarts and many others sam fox in mayfair sorings to mine

Vital Oarts and Sam Fox sorings whatever next!

 

[Ome "n" Dri]

Try Travelworld if you want silly prices

Last I heard Travelworld were £160 an hour for the worlds worst service department and dismal engineering ability.

 

[Dean69]

Had my motorhome in for some warranty work and other bits, and not to be named main dealer charges £114 per hour labour. WOW

I know they have overheads but... and I bet the engineer gets the £14

Any body beat that then?

We were quoted £270 ph for a fault diagnosis at BMW! not a motorhome but still quite unbelievable!!

 

[Rob Turner]

Blummin Eck!! Who’s fixing it? Finnings??

It’s all sledge hammers and gas axes there.

 

[Little Bovey]

Had my motorhome in for some warranty work and other bits, and not to be named main dealer charges £114 per hour labour. WOW

I know they have overheads but... and I bet the engineer gets the £14

Any body beat that then?

Reported a warranty problem to Fiat Professional dealer Vospers in Plymouth and was warned that if its turns into a chargeable job they charge £165/hr! I asked what I could have done to influence the problem with the DPF filter he wouldn’t (or couldn’t) answer.
Camper is 18 months old with only 7600 miles.

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[Mikeyv60]

Porsche charge £275 an hour, nice showroom.to look around though

 

[gwyntaxi]

Had my motorhome in for some warranty work and other bits, and not to be named main dealer charges £114 per hour labour. WOW

I know they have overheads but... and I bet the engineer gets the £14

Any body beat that then?

I was paying £95 per hour in 2002 with Mercedes main dealer.

 

[gwyntaxi]

Reported a warranty problem to Fiat Professional dealer Vospers in Plymouth and was warned that if its turns into a chargeable job they charge £165/hr! I asked what I could have done to influence the problem with the DPF filter he wouldn’t (or couldn’t) answer.
Camper is 18 months old with only 7600 miles.

I avoid Fiat as I feel they are not fit for purpose, all you read about in monthly mass and websites is Fiat engine management light coming on regularly DPF filters and even the main Fiat Professional dealers don't seem able to sort the problems.

 

[dunnah01]

I avoid Fiat as I feel they are not fit for purpose, all you read about in monthly mass and websites is Fiat engine management light coming on regularly DPF filters and even the main Fiat Professional dealers don't seem able to sort the problems.

It afflicts all makes tbh. My brother Citroen Transit engined PVC has had to be recovered from Europe twice due to emissions equipment problems.

 

[A-Mech]

I avoid Fiat as I feel they are not fit for purpose, all you read about in monthly mass and websites is Fiat engine management light coming on regularly DPF filters and even the main Fiat Professional dealers don't seem able to sort the problems.

There's the problem.
Whether £100 or £200 per hour, it's depends on the staff at the coal face.
Main dealers cannot recruit staff on apprenticeship schemes with run for four years and have manufacturer training, college release and mentorship within dealership. (4x4 brand)
The hourly rate ranges from £145-£165 at the same dealership depending on size of job you having repaired.
Yes, there are regional variations in charges. Western area quoted.
The customer does not see a reduction in rates if the apprentice or the master tech works on your car.
Dealers cannot retain decent staff, but can easily recruit idiots!
To retain experienced techs, as they are fonts of knowledge, they have to pay them right!
Level 1, 2, 3, 4 technicians are paid a basic wage with increases at successful completion of learning stages.
The tuition is paid for by dealer, along with loosing staff man hours, hotels and expenses when then complete training in Warwickshire academy. The dealers have to send there technicians on courses to honour the learning development to brand and employee progression. It is top quality training for the individual!
If dealers don't send techs away on courses, the regional engineering manager from brand has a quiet work about not achieving targets. (my current job)
Apprentices salary £25 k
Level 1 £29k, level 2 £32k, level 3 £36k & level 4 £40k.
All of these do not include overtime, which there is always plenty as not enough staff and bonus.

You go to dealer with a fault. You pay for parts at full retail price and labour at say £155/hour.
It takes them 4 hours to repair your van and same problem occurs driving it away from dealer.
Do you get a refund on your last invoice? No, because the computer said your van needed this part and and and.......
All of the above is utopia and doesn't happen in the real world, because the experienced master tech left (level 4) for £50k plus bonus, overtime, company van with an independent. The service manager cannot allow a technician to be on more than me attitude, always hamstrings the dealership and the tech is off to pastures new.

He looks at van, correctly identified fault and repaired vehicle in 3 hours at £100/hour
This idea that repair of customer vehicle by changing various parts until rectified is wrong and needs challenging.
The cost of owning a franchise is varst and the brand is very particular to building specifications, location, staff training, number of staff, sales, parts & service. This all adds up to rebates from manufacturers, which is were dealership makes profits.
I've seen many after sales managers (service) fail because there corporate structure will not allow them to take control of department and they have high turnover of staff because Fred on shop floor will move jobs for 50p / hour more down the road.
There are not enough people in automotive engineering sector which is getting less.

If you get a good garage, stick with them because generally they will always have work because there reputation is good.

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[Graham Page]

Volvo was £105 per hour in 2006.

It's now £175.00 (plus VAT) per hour at my local Volvo dealer in Kent!

 

[gus-lopez]

Here in spain I use a local independent. 40€/hour & that includes vat Less 20% discount as well so about 33,50€ inc vat.

 

[Apacheman]

I was paying £95 per hour in 2002 with Mercedes main dealer.

Passing through Aberdeen last Sept passing a truck dealer franchise. Big advert outside requiring Technicians. £48000 a year.

 

[Mclouis700]

Paid £264 + vat x 1hr for a solicitor 10yrs ago.

£250 / hr + vat is for a solicitor at special discounted rate normal rate £290/hr

 

[Coolcats]

There's the problem.
Whether £100 or £200 per hour, it's depends on the staff at the coal face.
Main dealers cannot recruit staff on apprenticeship schemes with run for four years and have manufacturer training, college release and mentorship within dealership. (4x4 brand)
The hourly rate ranges from £145-£165 at the same dealership depending on size of job you having repaired.
Yes, there are regional variations in charges. Western area quoted.
The customer does not see a reduction in rates if the apprentice or the master tech works on your car.
Dealers cannot retain decent staff, but can easily recruit idiots!
To retain experienced techs, as they are fonts of knowledge, they have to pay them right!
Level 1, 2, 3, 4 technicians are paid a basic wage with increases at successful completion of learning stages.
The tuition is paid for by dealer, along with loosing staff man hours, hotels and expenses when then complete training in Warwickshire academy. The dealers have to send there technicians on courses to honour the learning development to brand and employee progression. It is top quality training for the individual!
If dealers don't send techs away on courses, the regional engineering manager from brand has a quiet work about not achieving targets. (my current job)
Apprentices salary £25 k
Level 1 £29k, level 2 £32k, level 3 £36k & level 4 £40k.
All of these do not include overtime, which there is always plenty as not enough staff and bonus.

You go to dealer with a fault. You pay for parts at full retail price and labour at say £155/hour.
It takes them 4 hours to repair your van and same problem occurs driving it away from dealer.
Do you get a refund on your last invoice? No, because the computer said your van needed this part and and and.......
All of the above is utopia and doesn't happen in the real world, because the experienced master tech left (level 4) for £50k plus bonus, overtime, company van with an independent. The service manager cannot allow a technician to be on more than me attitude, always hamstrings the dealership and the tech is off to pastures new.

He looks at van, correctly identified fault and repaired vehicle in 3 hours at £100/hour
This idea that repair of customer vehicle by changing various parts until rectified is wrong and needs challenging.
The cost of owning a franchise is varst and the brand is very particular to building specifications, location, staff training, number of staff, sales, parts & service. This all adds up to rebates from manufacturers, which is were dealership makes profits.
I've seen many after sales managers (service) fail because there corporate structure will not allow them to take control of department and they have high turnover of staff because Fred on shop floor will move jobs for 50p / hour more down the road.
There are not enough people in automotive engineering sector which is getting less.

If you get a good garage, stick with them because generally they will always have work because there reputation is good.

This is the same in any industry, the component swap is an issue but as my VW dealer did (previous post) they checked with VW UK as swopping a unit out under warranty would have cost them, rather than VW the same should apply to customers. Treat your staff well make your customers happy and you have a good business.

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