Parts and labour cheaper in Spain?

[Dutch 68]

Just as a matter of interest what job do you do and how do the wages in Spain compare?

I retired early this spring, but yes because of lower wages in Spain the cost of products and labour should be lower in theory, otherwise people couldn’t survive, also works like that on the other end of the scale in for example NL a lot of things are more expensive but the average wage is higher if you compare similar jobs.

 

[The Wino]

I retired early this spring, but yes because of lower wages in Spain the cost of products and labour should be lower in theory, otherwise people couldn’t survive, also works like that on the other end of the scale in for example NL a lot of things are more expensive but the average wage is higher if you compare similar jobs.

Exactly my point. By all means grab a bargain in Spain if there is one but don't slag off UK prices as exorbitant unless hand on heart you can say you didn't benefit from high UK or Dutch costs in the industry you worked in.
I remember years ago seeing a shoe buyer who bought shoes to import from Portugal. He said when they joined the EU ( yes it was years ago) that prices would fall a lot and people would be better off as things were so cheap in Portugal. It never crossed his mind that if they did his wages would fall and he'd most likely be no better off!

 

[Dutch 68]

Exactly my point. By all means grab a bargain in Spain if there is one but don't slag off UK prices as exorbitant unless hand on heart you can say you didn't benefit from high UK or Dutch costs in the industry you worked in.
I remember years ago seeing a shoe buyer who bought shoes to import from Portugal. He said when they joined the EU ( yes it was years ago) that prices would fall a lot and people would be better off as things were so cheap in Portugal. It never crossed his mind that if they did his wages would fall and he'd most likely be no better off!

There is plenty of reason to slag of pricing of labour , because anything north of 100 pounds an hour in a garage, let alone north of 200 pounds an hour is just a greedy day light robbery, just look at the wage the mechanic doing the actual work receives from those companies and yes I know about overheads bla bla, still not a reason for exorbitant hourly rates, still plenty of independent garages who charge 50 an hour and may do a better job then the main stealers . But that is of course just my opinion. If people like to pay main dealer prices or don’t like paying less in general please go ahead lol.

 

[The Wino]

There is plenty of reason to slag of pricing of labour , because anything north of 100 pounds an hour in a garage, let alone north of 200 pounds an hour is just a greedy day light robbery, just look at the wage the mechanic doing the actual work receives from those companies and yes I know about overheads bla bla, still not a reason for exorbitant hourly rates, still plenty of independent garages who charge 50 an hour and may do a better job then the main stealers . But that is of course just my opinion. If people like to pay main dealer prices or don’t like paying less in general please go ahead lol.

I wouldn't use a main dealer because I have a garage I know and trust. Neither would I use an unknown garage in Spain for exactly the same reason.

 

[Busman]

How’s this from April this year, Hispavan Antas
Labour €55ph

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Dutch 68]

I wouldn't use a main dealer because I have a garage I know and trust. Neither would I use an unknown garage in Spain for exactly the same reason.

Very important trust, so if you have a long standing relation ship with a good mechanic then I completely understand, I travel a six hour return trip with my Ducati motorcycle to one of the best Ducati mechanics in the UK, so I fully agree, also i am blessed with mechanical knowledge as I was a engineer in the Dutch Army in my younger years, so I am less likely to be told porkies by unscrupulous, high charging outlets

 

[busby]

Booked an oil change plus oil filter at North East Truck and Van, York, this week. On the basis that it takes an hour's labour, the hourly rate is around £200, inclusive of VAT..

I get a FULL service for much less than that..BUSBY.

 

[jumar]

Very important trust, so if you have a long standing relation ship with a good mechanic then I completely understand, I travel a six hour return trip with my Ducati motorcycle to one of the best Ducati mechanics in the UK, so I fully agree, also i am blessed with mechanical knowledge as I was a engineer in the Dutch Army in my younger years, so I am less likely to be told porkies by unscrupulous, high charging outlets

It's quite common for visitors to Morocco to take advantage of cheap labour, buy items at realistic prices...the local population welcome the extra trade....so why shouldn't this extend anywhere one enquires a realistic price, and a good deal...Be aware that sometimes folk would get taken advantage of when the seller or the service provider knows you are not local....for example when we changed regions, we went to the local market with a Spanish friend...he introduced us to the local traders, informing them of our status....and to give us the same prices as locals....

 

[OutTheOffice]

We had some work done on our fiamma sun canopy last month in the algarve ( shout out to Camperserv). Tommy replaced one of the leg pivots which had snapped with an aluminium one, gave me a spare for the other leg just in case, sorted out why one of the awning arms was sticking when wound out, and sorted out the stretched canopy so it rolls back in straight and charged me 32 euros for the lot. I was very happy

 

[EuroTrotters]

Don't be taken in by ex pats or English speaking.

get advice off locals and or other ex-pats

I'm a English speaking Local Expat...hope you are not referring to me or Gus...

If you are anywhere near, I’m taking you along as backup.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[NoName]

Hmmm I have found over the years that there are awesome mechanics all over the world, the poorer the country, the better the skill level of the mechanics , I was just interested in people’s opinion with first hand experience.
Current main dealer labour rates in this country are down right offensive

I had two new front tyres in Turkiye and I think the cost was comparable to the U.K. at £140 per tyre. However at another stop in the same country I had all four brakes renewed for £65.

 

[flyboyprowler]

I agree with my Spanish colleagues. Labour prices are generally cheaper in Spain and I store our van at Hipavan in Antas Almeria. Local rates and main dealer rates (Iveco) are cheaper than the UK but parts can be more expensive in Spain. Tyre King, also in Antas is pretty good for tyres too.