$34.60+GST to adjust a handbrake ?

[who_me_?]

Nice...

Took the car in to get a 15k service. The handbrake came up too far and I asked for it to be adjusted. Not warranty apparently...

The dealer won't be seeing me again.... Nice treatment for a $50k purchase !

As it is they charge $90+GST a hour. Then although I asked beforehand for a lift back to my office, I had to wait 15 mins for a ride...

At least they washed the car. Not well - but it was washed...

[NuffNuff]

ahh, they got me a while ago when i was doing a whole bunch of warranty stuff. i didnt have the money on me and they wouldnt even release the car for me to go get some, so i had to hang about for a lift! :mad:

[Tonner]

I think the story goes, if the handbrake requires adjustment at the lever its included in the cost of your scheduled service. but if it needs adjusting at the drum, its a you pay service, had that argument before:rolleyes:

[macca33]

Did I read this correctly, you took the car in for a 15k service, the handbrake required adjusting and they charged you an extra $34.60 + GST???

Isn't part of the "Service" checking and adjusting these types of items, ie included in the price of the service?

No wonder these dealerships can afford the new, you beaut showrooms, etc...

I wouldn't be seeing them again too soon.

Macca

[flappist]

Dealers are paid by Holden (or which every manufacturer) for warranty work. If it is not on Holdens list they don't get paid.
Service departments cost a lot of money to run, somebody has to pay for all the training on new gizmos every second day.
$90 + GST is on the low side of average for a tradesman, try getting a plumber for that rate.

I can understand that you are a bit peeved that you bought a $50k vehicle and you expect a bit of service but did you pay retail or did you screw them down as hard as you could? There is bugger all profit in new cars.

And in reality when you buy your next car are you going to buy it from the nicest guy or the cheapest guy? You already know the answer to that.

[seldo]

..........
I can understand that you are a bit peeved that you bought a $50k vehicle and you expect a bit of service but did you pay retail or did you screw them down as hard as you could? There is bugger all profit in new cars.

And in reality when you buy your next car are you going to buy it from the nicest guy or the cheapest guy? You already know the answer to that.
Absolutely spot-on! It doesn't matter how much it cost, I bet the dealer made SFA on the transaction - that's why they have to charge for this service work. Being a car dealer is no road to easy riches .

[1000kw]

on and on the holden peeved stories flow. May have been a misunderstanding, but thats why u need a decent independent mechanic who knows their stuff and doesnt charge for each screw removed by a fifteen year old!!!!!!

[Vulture]

I was recently charged $32 for a set on windscreen wipers by the local dealership BUT

- I didn't request new wipers
- I had put new wipers on a week previous!

At least I have a cheque for that amount as a refund after complaining about it.

[metric]

I gave the dealerships away after the 20k service on my Berlina.
@ the 1500 service - New Spark Plugs
@ 10K - New Spark Plugs
@ 20K - New Spark Plugs
also payed $89 for slimline weather shields, then they charged me $92 to fit them. Big Job... push 3 little metal plates under the rubber 'round the window.

[clixanup]

Dealers are paid by Holden (or which every manufacturer) for warranty work. If it is not on Holdens list they don't get paid.
Since when is a brake adjustment not a service item?

What do they include in the service? An oil change? For $300? WTF?

Brake adjustment is a service item, and always has been.

[Tonner]

I think the story goes, if the handbrake requires adjustment at the lever its included in the cost of your scheduled service. but if it needs adjusting at the drum, its a you pay service, had that argument before:rolleyes:
I should clarify ,,I mean the drum which contains the HB shoes inside the rotor

[VooDoo]

I had my handbrake drums adjusted... No charge. Another time I had a complete set of rotors, calipers, pads etc fitted to the rear.... $34.50. Cheapest price i could find to fit the 315mm HSV brakes was Holden.

Forgot my wallet for 100k service, no probs, just drop in the $$ next week. There are dealers and then there are dealers. Ive always been happy with my servicing to be done by Holden and my performance mods to be done by PT. Best thing is PT also deal direct with my dealer so there isnt any problem with mods and the dealer is as happy to see the car as PT is.

[Ghosn]

Ive been charged $40 for new wiper blades, $20 for the blades, $20 to fit cos it takes all of 2 mins to fit !!! :mad:

[muzza]

Unless they ring and ask you if you want such and such done (as extra over the normal service) there's simply no way I will pay for it. It's good to have already discussed this with your service bloke..

If you request something extra and ask how much they should give you a price and that's what you should pay. As soon as it costs more than they said once again there's no way I'll pay the extra - unless they ring you and explain why it's going to be more etc.

Dont take any shit and dont go back if they give you some.

[who_me_?]

Interesting replies...

All I can say is that I have never paid for a handbrake adjustment before even with various BMW's and Mercedes Benz's. That hourly labour rate is actually higher than the local Mercedes dealer here...

(and given that BMW's etc. normally only need servicing every 30k and not 15k I don't expect the Adventra to be any cheaper to run over the next 100k either...) - I know I am speaking for local costs and this can vary a lot... - I saw in the UK that one dealer there charges 130 POUNDS + 17.5% VAT a hour !!!

[chillicatqld]

I just got charged $89 for power steering flush and refill at 40K service! I asked if that was a usual service item- they said "yes".
Rang two other Holdens when I got home to find out that they NEVER replace - just top it up. Gee I'm happy (not) - why they hell don't they service the diff or gearbox then? I would have thought that would be more usefull...

[Drewie]

I just got charged $89 for power steering flush and refill at 40K service! I asked if that was a usual service item- they said "yes".
Rang two other Holdens when I got home to find out that they NEVER replace - just top it up. Gee I'm happy (not) - why they hell don't they service the diff or gearbox then? I would have thought that would be more usefull...

I had my 40k service done today and the dealer suggested it might be an idea to flush the power steering at the next service around the 50k mark,
he said the fluid gets pretty dirty after a while and leads to power steering pump problems. I always get a call and a price if something extra is found during a service, and to date have found the dealer excellent and workmanship has been great, prices have been about average also, don't have any problems with them at all.

[VYSHSV8]

Had a 30k service done this week and they adjusted the Handbrake for Free as I wouyldv'e done in my days as a mechanic.

[chev]

To adjust the handbrake correctly the brake calipers/disc's have to be removed. By turning the star adjuster, the small inner handbrake shoes are reset within the disc. This does take time. This in my opinion should be (and is at my workshop) inclusive of the service charge. By the way. You get a free dyno power run with every handbook service:) . Cheers Chev

[stockhorse]

Just slightly off topic "i didnt have the money on me and they wouldnt even release the car for me to go get some, so i had to hang about for a lift! "
If the work on the vehicle is complete the vehicle MUST be released to the owner and an invoice sent.It is illegal to hold property for payment.
Just thought this may help any others in this situation.

[rolabeem]

Just had a quick read of my owners manual it says CHECK OPERATION OF PARKING BRAKE in every 10K service in my day that would have beem done at no extra charge.:D

Cheers Rob.

[ACT_Cross8]

Just had a quick read of my owners manual it says CHECK OPERATION OF PARKING BRAKE in every 10K service in my day that would have beem done at no extra charge.:D

Cheers Rob.

There is obviously a difference between "check operation" and "adjust so that it actually works". The first you get for nothing at Holden...

I was burnt on the handbrake adjustment too at 20,000km. I mentioned that it wasn't working when I took the car in and asked them to adjust it. No mention was made at the time of the additional cost, so I said I wasn't going to pay for it when I picked the car up. After arguing for a while, I realised I wasn't going to win and gave them the extra dollars. I haven't been back to the dealer since. Marcus at Gentech looks after me now :cool: .

The thing I don't understand is that the handbrake shoes shouldn't wear out as you only use the handbrake when stationary. The pads shouldn't be rubbing on the drum and wearing out like they do in old drum brake cars when the brake doubles as the park brake.

[jaskel]

when I had my **cough cough** Ford, they charged me 98 bucks for an airfilter and I didnt even ask for it, I make the fat saervice admin guy get his screwdriver and take it out and replace it with the old one!!! then i went to the local autoparts shop and bought it for 18.37

dealerships suck

[German Statesman]

The reason why a handbrake adjustment is not listed in the sericing schedules is it isn't required every service - check operation and adjust if required, all adjustments are payable by the owner and not covered under warranty just like the book says.

$100 an hour labour rates are the norm in any dealer, in fact almost in any trade - you think cars are dear, go get a computer techie to do some work on your PC and you'll know what extortion is.

I think its important to compare apples with apples and oranges with oranges as the lady on the insurance ad says.

Independent mechanics play an important part in the mechanical trade and are the backbone of employment in the industry. Sure, we bag and stab at each other, but that’s just the normal practices of business rivals competing for the same group of customers – grog shops and supermarkets do it all the time.

If you want to avoid spending money, then a dealer service department is not for you. Independent shops are the go there, and having been in both independent and dealership service centres, I’ve met plenty of cost-orientated customers who prefer their local spannerman. It doesn’t matter than dealer service staff each take three to four calls a day from these guys wanting to know things like valve lash settings for Rodeos, minimum thickness on Commodore disc rotors, and does the timing belt really have to be replaced at 60k on a TS Astra and should he run the risk of ignoring it because he can’t be stuffed (true stories).

If you don’t mind spending the money, then take a look at what you get for you money – a comfortable waiting lounge, courtesy bus, late model loan cars where you pay a nominal fee and a location that makes it relatively easy to get where you have to go, rather than an industrial area where there’s no public transport.

On top of that, take a good look at the backup you get for your money – big parts/labour warranties, genuine parts with known compatability, regular factory training about the car you drive, and more goodwill if something does go wrong.

Just this week, I had a phone call from a woman whose husband had berated me for the prices on pads/rotors their XC Barina needed – she needed to know what the prices were again, because the pads and rotors an well-known brake shop business installed for half the price of genuine, put her into the back of a truck on the 36 degree day Brisbane had last week. She was in the process of suing the brake shop for misrepresentation on their claim they were better than genuines. I get one phone call every two weeks about snapped timing belts in Astras because mechanics have convinced customers that 60k is way too early for a cam belt change and leave it go to 90k like other manufacturers – usually on or about the 75k mark is the moment of truth and here comes the quote for a $2500 head job or if you’re unlucky enough to be doing highway speeds when the valves hit the pistons, a $4500 long motor – sorry mate that’s a warranty issue, not my fault is the usual story. Then there’s the VX V6 towed in with the rotted radiator/heater core/heater tap and blown water pump at 130k because the local spannerman in the servo around the corner had this new whiz bang coolant that was better than genuine stuff and stuck it in at the car’s 10K service and changed it regularly – pity it ate everything away, water galleries in the heads and block included. A radiator shop gets a mention at the moment for changing coolant in LS1s at 12 month intervals to the tune of $100 annually instead of every five years like the factory coolant is for $110. Transmission shops overdoing auto services on VZ boxes are making good money, but my favourite at the moment is the independent mobile mechanic who stalled up a VZ V8 Calais after doing an unnecessary auto service at 40k, and made the trans fluid burp out the stick onto the hot engine – woof, one VZ on fire and no professional indemnity insurance. Hmmm, how much cheaper per hour was he?

In no way, do I bag the forum sponsors or the good mechanics out there who do the right thing by their customers – that’s not on, and I don’t condone it. If you’re an independent techie and you are doing the right thing by your clients, you’ve won me and you deserve to be in business for as long as you live. It’s the lazy carp-arses out there that whine about the big bad dealer ripping off the working mums and dads, but then doing their customers out of their hard earned money by shafting them with cheap and nasty parts and poor workmanship that should be the focus of everyone's venom

Rant over. Flame suit on. :p :p

[ACT_Cross8]

The reason why a handbrake adjustment is not listed in the sericing schedules is it isn't required every service - check operation and adjust if required, all adjustments are payable by the owner and not covered under warranty just like the book says.



Yeah, sorry, I wasn't implying that handbrake adjustment should be a warranty issue, but it SHOULD be included as part of the quoted service cost, not an additional extra if the adjustment needs to be made at the wheels. Like you said, the sevice book says "check and adjust handbrake if necessary" as part of the service, so what right do they have to hit you extra for it when they have quoted a price for the service INCLUDING "check and adjust handbrake if necessary".

[Rick76]

I have a few issues with the wording of the service manuals / Holden dealer quoted prices, etc to.

I put my car in for the 20,000km service @ Holden dealer and did not mention that the handbrake needed adjusting (as it obviously needed it and even a dopey apprentice should pick it up) and it was listed to be checked for that service.

I got the car back that night with no mention of any handbrake adjustment and it had not been touched. The car required some warranty work which parts had to be ordered for. Approx. 2 weeks later returned car to have warranty items rectified and got the comment back on the paperwork: aditional service recommend, adjust handbrake :confused:

If it wasnt for the warranty items that needed sorting I would not even bother taking it anywhere and just change the oil & filter myself.... thats all most workshops ever do anyway as anything else is additional work that requires extra charges, even minor 1 minute jobs :bash: Workshops can shove their $200 oil changes up their :booty: !!!

[seldo]

German Statesman - thank you for a long informative entertaining and REALISTIC response. Since I've been out of the business for many years I couldn't be bothered responding, but everything you have said is true.... and then some... What many people who aren't in their own businesses don't realise is that a big car business is a bit like having 100 taxis waiting on stand-by and the meter is running all the time and unless the income is greater than the outgoings, they go broke. It probably costs a dealership $100 just to open a job-card on a job. By the time they pay a service receptionist to take your booking, do the paperwork, another to meet and greet, talk you through the problems, loan you a car that will come back dirty, empty of fuel, full of crap, glovebox full of parking fines, hub-caps scraped, a bit of body damage, a Guiness world record for the highest revs in 1st gear for a stock standard unboosted Astra etc, and they haven't even touched your car yet. Then they have to try to diagnose the problem (most manufacturers don't pay diagnostic time because you are supposed to be Superman and understand that when the customer says he has a squeek in the left-hand-front he actually means there is a knock in the rhs rear....) and then you are expected to stop work on everyone else's car and devote the sole attention of the workshop to your car...because you are special...And then, after you have had 2 blokes on the car all day chasing the squeek in the lhf, you finally track it down to the fact that the customer has failed to properly secure the jack after taking it out for a look-see, but you can't possibly charge him $1000 for the 5 hours of 2 blokes' time chasing this sort of mis-information...
Let me tell you...you can't win...it's a mug's game...sure glad I'm out of it. You would not believe how what is a normally sane, intelligent, rational, reasonable bloke can become a raving, frothing, unreasonable monster, just because his $40k loaf of bread is still pulling to the left after he has specifically asked for a wheel balance.... shakes head and goes for strong drink

[daza]

Some of the responses have had me in tears. In particular Ghosn. Those new wiper blades must have come with a Gorgeous bikini model to jog over and reach through the window to turn them on when it rained.:D

I would think that any service industry that operates with more than 4-5 staff is going to charge 2-4 times more than the job is worth as they have to pay at least 3 parties for each job. The tech, his boss and the taxman. Some will charge more if they have premium knowledge or exclusive access to specialized parts. Some can reduce the hourly rate by the parts mark up and in my experience I would be surprised if anyone increases their cost by less than %50 most would be %100. The newer cars have been eating into their margins though (VZ V6 15000 service | VY V6 10000 Service a %33 reduction in business). Tradesman of good standard are hard to find these days and these people deserve a fair days pay as well.

The reason that I take my car to the dealer for it's services is if there is a new factory mod, adjustment or recall it will/might/should be done before it causes an issue with the car. A good time for me is when its serviced and I would imagine for the dealer as well. This does not reduce the disappointment though when they miss things or stuff up. I recently took the car in for it's 20K and found a few things that should have been noted if not fixed as warranty a few days later. The R/H front shock boot was oily that should have been noted if not the strut replaced and oil leaking from the power steering pipes. It took me 30 seconds to tighten the hose clamp that was loose on the power steering and I noticed the oily shock boot the moment I took of the front wheels for cleaning. They took the wheels off to check the brakes didn't they? If they had added these to the service report my confidence would have doubled but unfortunately now I feel the need to double check the work they do.

Cheers
Daza

[SV8VY]

on and on the holden peeved stories flow. May have been a misunderstanding, but thats why u need a decent independent mechanic who knows their stuff and doesnt charge for each screw removed by a fifteen year old!!!!!!
Too right,I have a mechanic that knows my car inside and out and looks after the car and me.

[hsv-105]

Dealers are paid by Holden (or which every manufacturer) for warranty work. If it is not on Holdens list they don't get paid.
Service departments cost a lot of money to run, somebody has to pay for all the training on new gizmos every second day.
$90 + GST is on the low side of average for a tradesman, try getting a plumber for that rate.

I can understand that you are a bit peeved that you bought a $50k vehicle and you expect a bit of service but did you pay retail or did you screw them down as hard as you could? There is bugger all profit in new cars.

And in reality when you buy your next car are you going to buy it from the nicest guy or the cheapest guy? You already know the answer to that.


Hey leave the poor old plumbers out of this!

[German Statesman]

Yeah, sorry, I wasn't implying that handbrake adjustment should be a warranty issue, but it SHOULD be included as part of the quoted service cost, not an additional extra if the adjustment needs to be made at the wheels. Like you said, the sevice book says "check and adjust handbrake if necessary" as part of the service, so what right do they have to hit you extra for it when they have quoted a price for the service INCLUDING "check and adjust handbrake if necessary".

That's cool - when it says "if neccessary", the quoted time to carry out the service is what the manufacturer recommends the charge be without any extras. "If neccessary" then means if it has to be adjusted, it is on top of the service cost - otherwise the charge would be in every service, and you would be demanding a deduction if the handbrake didn't require adjusting - I've been at the presitge counters where people asked if adjustments such as these were done, and when they learned they weren't - hey, where's the .4 or .6 deduction off the bill for not needing it?

What you get for your service $$$ may seem minimal, but would you rather an advisor ring you and give you the option of spending that money, or argue with an advisor about having it taken off a bill?

[chillicatqld]

Plumbers are worth $100 an hour - cause I sure as hell aint putting my hand/head into ANY sewage area!! SHIT STINKS...

[Redhot_57]

Absolutely spot-on! It doesn't matter how much it cost, I bet the dealer made SFA on the transaction - that's why they have to charge for this service work. Being a car dealer is no road to easy riches .

Id love to agree, but a visit to a particular Sydney Holden workshop earlier this year left a bitter taste in my mouth..

Needing a quick oil change before driving interstate, I booked my SS in for a simple OIL CHANGE, not service, nothing more or less. Being a fussy b^%$* and having a contact in the oil industry I supplied 5 litres of synthetic to the delear for the job.

How much do you think I was charged for labour and a $7 oil filter???

$105.. :mad: :mad:

If not for the fact that I didnt have a lot of time, I would have made some noise..

Since that time I have had a complete service done by ANOTHER Holden dealer for only $99 (with their own oil)

I will never go back there again.

[VZSS250]

I think some people here, who are aware of overhead costs associated with running a business viably, have made reasonable responses. If workshops can't recover their time, they go bust.

A lot of people here can obviously not afford to take their cars to dealerships, in which case i recommend they find a better paying job.

[Nevo]

I can understand that you are a bit peeved that you bought a $50k vehicle and you expect a bit of service but did you pay retail or did you screw them down as hard as you could? There is bugger all profit in new cars.



This is true for so many different purchases. You could say the same thing about a service station. You might have just spent $100 in fuel thinking what a rip off, but the station has only made $2. If they are out of pocket for any other expense while that purchase takes place they have then lost money.

I'm sure the fuel company and car companys make their money every time, but the business providing that service at a retail point to the customer often needs all they can get to provide that service.

Maybe next time we buy a tin of soup from the supermarket we should be hitting the check out chick up to cook it for us, clean up and give us a ride home with our purchase. I'm sure as a % the supermarket just made more money than the car dealer on a $50k purchase :) And they didn't even have to worry about us trading in a 3 year old half eaten and slighty dented can of heinz vegie. Food for thought.

Cheers,
Nevo

[chillicatqld]

[QUOTE=flappist]
I can understand that you are a bit peeved that you bought a $50k vehicle and you expect a bit of service but did you pay retail or did you screw them down as hard as you could? There is bugger all profit in new cars.

Bugger all profit!!!! Told the other day from a Subaru dealer that Holden work on a 28% margin - hmmmm wish I had that "bugger all profit"...
Ute - $42 odd thousand - minus 28% = $30,240.00

[Vulture]

I think some people here, who are aware of overhead costs associated with running a business viably, have made reasonable responses. If workshops can't recover their time, they go bust.

A lot of people here can obviously not afford to take their cars to dealerships, in which case i recommend they find a better paying job.

C'mon, being charged $105 to change oil is disgraceful. An experienced mechanic could to that in say 15mins. When I had my VZ in for the 3000km 'inspection' and they forgot to do the oil as I'd requested, they only charged about $40 INCLUDING oil to do it (which might explain why it's now making a funny noise...see LS1 technical)

[The Griff]

Bugger all profit!!!! Told the other day from a Subaru dealer that Holden work on a 28% margin - hmmmm wish I had that "bugger all profit"...
Ute - $42 odd thousand - minus 28% = $30,240.00
Holden and dealers are not the same. Holden might make 28% on the the cars sold to dealers, but dealers may not make any where near 28% on their cost from Holden. The dealer is not Holden, just like Harvey Norman is not Hewlatt Packard cause they sell their printers.

[seldo]

Bugger all profit!!!! Told the other day from a Subaru dealer that Holden work on a 28% margin - hmmmm wish I had that "bugger all profit"...
Ute - $42 odd thousand - minus 28% = $30,240.00
Of course the Subaru dealer would know too wouldn't he....? I guess he moaned that he only had about 16% gross (like most franchises)..:rolleyes:

[German Statesman]

Of course the Subaru dealer would know too wouldn't he....? I guess he moaned that he only had about 16% gross (like most franchises)..:rolleyes:

That's like the fable that was going around about there being $10,000 dealer profit in an Executive - our fleet guys howled with laughter and dabbed at their eyes for hours at that one. If that were true, our retail guys would have that many gold chains they'd look like Mr T. :booty:

The car industry is a good industry to make money in, but the overheads would loosen the bowels of anyone on this forum - the comment about 100 cabs with the meters running is the perfect analogy.

[macca33]

It's okay to mention that dealerships have overheads, because it is correct.

Don't try to justify the blatant rip-off of customers with that sentiment though. If it takes me 1/2 hour to crawl under the car and change the oil/filter, how does it take them an hour on your bill???

Let's see, service work carried out by apprentices/mechanics who earn maybe $25 an hour (Maximum) and use maybe $5 an hour in electricity, whilst your car is being serviced.

Where is the other $75 going????? Could it be into the plush seats, coffee machine, showroom, demonstrator vehicles that are driven, fuelled and serviced at the cost to customers of the dealership, etc..

It seems that most dealerships are now set up for servicing fleet/lease vehicles etc, where the person responsible for the car doesn't really care how much it costs.

Private owners do care. We all have budgets and OTHER priorities. We're not interested in feathering some rich dealership's nest.

YES, there are expenses involved with running a business, but don't think the dealership isn't making GOOD money. If they weren't, do you really think that they would still be in the game???????

My 2c

Macca

[Prokiwi]

It's okay to mention that dealerships have overheads, because it is correct.

Don't try to justify the blatant rip-off of customers with that sentiment though. If it takes me 1/2 hour to crawl under the car and change the oil/filter, how does it take them an hour on your bill???

Let's see, service work carried out by apprentices/mechanics who earn maybe $25 an hour (Maximum) and use maybe $5 an hour in electricity, whilst your car is being serviced.

Where is the other $75 going????? Could it be into the plush seats, coffee machine, showroom, demonstrator vehicles that are driven, fuelled and serviced at the cost to customers of the dealership, etc..

It seems that most dealerships are now set up for servicing fleet/lease vehicles etc, where the person responsible for the car doesn't really care how much it costs.

Private owners do care. We all have budgets and OTHER priorities. We're not interested in feathering some rich dealership's nest.

YES, there are expenses involved with running a business, but don't think the dealership isn't making GOOD money. If they weren't, do you really think that they would still be in the game???????

My 2c

Macca

I just gotta reply to this one ...lets see where $105 for an oil change really goes :

Tech labour $25
Rags to clean up ??
Disposal of used Oil ??
Depreciation of Hoist and Workshop equip
Service Manager to manage Techs ??
Building Overhead ??
Power ?
Ph Calls to book vehicle and advise when its finished ?
Computer to print Invoice ?
Receptionist to take ph calls ??
Coffee and Tea to energise Techs ??
Uniform allowance ??
Tool allowance ??
Superannuation ?
Medical ins ?
Business Insurances ?
Taxes ?
Training of Techs ??
Lost time Injuries ??
No Charge inclusions ??
PROFIT ?????????????
Thats not bad for $105 ...i dont think i could do all that for that sort of money !

I like the response above where someone suggested to those that complain about the cost " GET A BETTER PAYING JOB" ...or better still u go into business and see for yourselves where all the money goes.
Sorry Guys , but some people need to wake up to reality.

Great forum !!
Cheers

[German Statesman]

I just gotta reply to this one ...lets see where $105 for an oil change really goes :

Tech labour $25
Rags to clean up ??
Disposal of used Oil ??
Depreciation of Hoist and Workshop equip
Service Manager to manage Techs ??
Building Overhead ??
Power ?
Ph Calls to book vehicle and advise when its finished ?
Computer to print Invoice ?
Receptionist to take ph calls ??
Coffee and Tea to energise Techs ??
Uniform allowance ??
Tool allowance ??
Superannuation ?
Medical ins ?
Business Insurances ?
Taxes ?
Training of Techs ??
Lost time Injuries ??
No Charge inclusions ??
PROFIT ?????????????
Thats not bad for $105 ...i dont think i could do all that for that sort of money !

I like the response above where someone suggested to those that complain about the cost " GET A BETTER PAYING JOB" ...or better still u go into business and see for yourselves where all the money goes.
Sorry Guys , but some people need to wake up to reality.

Great forum !!
Cheers

Great reply - you hit the nail right on the head. Everyone thinks its just a matter of paying a tech's hourly rate, and the dreamers stick by that when they argue the bill or the quotes.

Your hour in your oil change also went into a safety check and the time he took to run over the whole car to make sure everything was ok. Sure, you can do an oil change at home quicker, but you couldn't do the oil change, remove the wheels and inspect the brakes, check the evaporative system from the fuel tank emission controls, check the operation of the PCV, check the working of the handbrake etc etc etc etc and roadtest it in an hour without being a tech that does them day in day out.

Its also poignant to remember that if there's a set time to do a service or a job (e.g. 1.0hrs to replace brake pads) that's the time you get charged regardless of how long it takes. If the tech takes his time and does it in 1.4hrs, you still only get charged 1.0hr which means you have a win - if he does it in .80 of an hour, we have a win. It's all give and take like any relationship, personal or otherwise.

[seldo]

I just gotta reply to this one ...lets see where $105 for an oil change really goes :

Tech labour $25
Rags to clean up ??
Disposal of used Oil ??
Depreciation of Hoist and Workshop equip
Service Manager to manage Techs ??
Building Overhead ??
Power ?
Ph Calls to book vehicle and advise when its finished ?
Computer to print Invoice ?
Receptionist to take ph calls ??
Coffee and Tea to energise Techs ??
Uniform allowance ??
Tool allowance ??
Superannuation ?
Medical ins ?
Business Insurances ?
Taxes ?
Training of Techs ??
Lost time Injuries ??
No Charge inclusions ??
PROFIT ?????????????
Thats not bad for $105 ...i dont think i could do all that for that sort of money !

I like the response above where someone suggested to those that complain about the cost " GET A BETTER PAYING JOB" ...or better still u go into business and see for yourselves where all the money goes.
Sorry Guys , but some people need to wake up to reality.

Great forum !!
Cheers
That's also why the little 2 man workshops can generally charge less - their overheads are a fraction of a dealership and they are also generally located in out of the way places where the real estate is cheap and therefore so is the rent.

[RARASV8]

never been charged at two of the holden dealers that the SV8 has been too for hand brake adjustment. but fair go fellas, when i do a job at work i do it as if thew job was for me. this crap abuot changing wipers/adjusting hand brake for $35 per job is bullshit, i wouldn't get a job if i said i'll charge $35 for what i consider as being part of the JOB!!!!
"german statesman" maybe you should talk to the "OWNERS" the service cars as thats crap about paying for WHAT SHOULD BE STANDARD SEVICING"

in my trade if the "JOBS NOT RIGHT YOU DON"T GET PAID"

[RARASV8]

never been charged at two of the holden dealers that the SV8 has been too for hand brake adjustment. but fair go fellas, when i do a job at work i do it as if thew job was for me. this crap abuot changing wipers/adjusting hand brake for $35 per job is bullshit, i wouldn't get a job if i said i'll charge $35 for what i consider as being part of the JOB!!!!
"german statesman" maybe you should talk to the "OWNERS" the service cars as thats crap about paying for WHAT SHOULD BE STANDARD SEVICING"

in my trade if the "JOBS NOT RIGHT YOU DON"T GET PAID"
Today 06:29 PM

[VYSHSV8]

Yeah, sorry, I wasn't implying that handbrake adjustment should be a warranty issue, but it SHOULD be included as part of the quoted service cost, not an additional extra if the adjustment needs to be made at the wheels. Like you said, the sevice book says "check and adjust handbrake if necessary" as part of the service, so what right do they have to hit you extra for it when they have quoted a price for the service INCLUDING "check and adjust handbrake if necessary".

You are dead right it is quoted in the manual as servicable hrs etc etc if it requires adjustment it should be done in the service I have now had it done by 2 Holden dealers in the service as informed by my wife...

[VYSHSV8]

That's cool - when it says "if neccessary", the quoted time to carry out the service is what the manufacturer recommends the charge be without any extras. "If neccessary" then means if it has to be adjusted, it is on top of the service cost - otherwise the charge would be in every service, and you would be demanding a deduction if the handbrake didn't require adjusting - I've been at the presitge counters where people asked if adjustments such as these were done, and when they learned they weren't - hey, where's the .4 or .6 deduction off the bill for not needing it?

What you get for your service $$$ may seem minimal, but would you rather an advisor ring you and give you the option of spending that money, or argue with an advisor about having it taken off a bill?
Sorry but this just shits me when people start quoting this and that, if thats the case why are there so many death traps on the roads throughout Australia, if and I mean IF thats the case people as a workshop trade that is, have the obligation to not let a unsafe vehicle back on the roads, unles sighned of by the owner as they understand the ratifications of what is involved if its not rectifiedits called an ASS covering excessize, but if they do not agree to sign the vaiver you should just call the RTA.....and get a sticker applied...

I know I used to cop all the shit as well in the industry but if you get technicle who will be driving a vehicle...
This is for both sides... let the arguement begin...

Sorry it had to be said.....

[VYSHSV8]

Plumbers are worth $100 an hour - cause I sure as hell aint putting my hand/head into ANY sewage area!! SHIT STINKS...

OK If that's the case HOW THE HELL ARE THEY GONNA GET THERE WITH A STUFFED VEHICLE so a mechanic is worth 200 an hr.....A MECHANIC is the most under appreciated job I have ever BEEN thats why dont do it anymore.....

[VYSHSV8]

Sorry about my quotes as they are a bit contradictive but its from both sides of the fence as an average mechanic gets paid sweet F ALL , and a consumer who gets Ripped off.....if a company or should I say Franchise was charging 100 an hr and paying the mechanic like 30+ yes I would understand it but otherwise sorry but and lets leave it there....

[who_me_?]

Well I am a small business owner and know all about overheads and hourly charge out rates but the attitude certainly didn't make things any better.

I didn't feel like a important customer (and all customers should) and when mentioning about the adjustment it was never bought to my attention that this would incur extra cost. I believe it should...

I appreciate the comments which have been interesting. I can see both sides of the coin and I suppose if it had been included in the labour I wouldn't have thought any more of it.

Has there been software updates for the 190Kw/5sp Auto ? Mine seems smoother and the fuel economy seems to have improved - strange...
Of course software updates are something you won't get at a independant mechanic...

[who_me_?]

Sorry about my quotes as they are a bit contradictive but its from both sides of the fence as an average mechanic gets paid sweet F ALL , and a consumer who gets Ripped off.....if a company or should I say Franchise was charging 100 an hr and paying the mechanic like 30+ yes I would understand it but otherwise sorry but and lets leave it there....

Paying staff 1/3 of what they bill/invoice out is fairly standard in professional occupations as well...

[VYSHSV8]

Paying staff 1/3 of what they bill/invoice out is fairly standard in professional occupations as well...
Yes I know what you are saying My Father in Law still owns his own Mechanical Business in Dandenong Vic where I used to work..
I admit I gaot paid very well but when Iueds to work at a big Dealership I did not, indtead of the 30+( which is what I wish all mechanics got paid) IT WAS MORE LIKE 15+ an Hr sorry for the mislead..

[German Statesman]

never been charged at two of the holden dealers that the SV8 has been too for hand brake adjustment. but fair go fellas, when i do a job at work i do it as if thew job was for me. this crap abuot changing wipers/adjusting hand brake for $35 per job is bullshit, i wouldn't get a job if i said i'll charge $35 for what i consider as being part of the JOB!!!!
"german statesman" maybe you should talk to the "OWNERS" the service cars as thats crap about paying for WHAT SHOULD BE STANDARD SEVICING"

in my trade if the "JOBS NOT RIGHT YOU DON"T GET PAID"

I think you need to reacqaint yourself with the info in the previous posts - I think you'll find an explanation to your post in there.

[ratter]

Paying staff 1/3 of what they bill/invoice out is fairly standard in professional occupations as well...

Mechanics may only earn $15 per hr, now where near the 1/3 of the bill/invoice rate, depending on how good they are maybe up around $20

Over heads control everything.

It used to cost my local holden dealership $5000 a day just to open the doors, that's before any wages are paid.

Have a look at the site they are located on, normally prime real estate and of fair size as well, normally it's rented, they have to pay for some of that rent.

How many hoists do they have?

How many non productive staff do they have? (3 or 4 service advisors, a service manager, a workshop controller, a costing clerk, a warranty clerk, a roadtester, a leading hand, and a car washer, they also have to pay a perecentage of the admins wages) they all want to get paid

How much do you think a tech 2 costs and how many do they have?

every time a new model car comes out, holden just send them all the repair manuals etc and charge them for it (dealers don't get a choice)

Holden charge them to train the techs on new models and the dealers still has to pay for the techs wages while they are away learning.

Holden also issues the dealer with specialised tools which they have to pay for.

warranty work is done at a cost price to holden so the dealer makes no profit from doing it.

The list could go on and on.


I know some other tradesmen who take home over $1000 a week, they only have to supply work boots and some basic tools, normally the employer supplies other tools. Check out a mechanics personal tool box, how much do you think has gone into that, $3000 and maybe up to $10000, and parts of it have to be replaced regulary due to wear.

How much change has there been in the last 20 years of plumbing, not a huge change?????
How much has changed in the motor trade in the last 20 years, almost everything and mechanics are expected to keep up with these changes.

yep the motor trade is a highly paid easy job :lol:

[SLE355]

yep the motor trade is a highly paid easy job :lol:

Its easy being a fully qualified internet expert though :lol:

[ratter]

Its easy being a fully qualified internet expert though :lol:


at which post is that aimed?

[SLE355]

at which post is that aimed?

The same one yours was ;)

[ratter]

The same one yours was ;)


no worries :D

[markone2]

Tech labour $25
Rags to clean up ??
Disposal of used Oil ??
Depreciation of Hoist and Workshop equip
Service Manager to manage Techs ??
Building Overhead ??
Power ?
Ph Calls to book vehicle and advise when its finished ?
Computer to print Invoice ?
Receptionist to take ph calls ??
Coffee and Tea to energise Techs ??
Uniform allowance ??
Tool allowance ??
Superannuation ?
Medical ins ?
Business Insurances ?
Taxes ?
Training of Techs ??
Lost time Injuries ??
No Charge inclusions ??
PROFIT ?????????????
Thats not bad for $105 ...i dont think i could do all that for that sort of money !

I like the response above where someone suggested to those that complain about the cost " GET A BETTER PAYING JOB" ...or better still u go into business and see for yourselves where all the money goes.
Sorry Guys , but some people need to wake up to reality.

Great forum !!
Cheers


With overheads like the above, you’d expect the customer to be the life blood of any service department ......and treated accordingly :confused: ….way this reads is one Service department now has $34.60 plus GST in there till at the expense of one severed artery ....just my take on it.

[ratter]

With overheads like the above, you’d expect the customer to be the life blood of any service department ......and treated accordingly :confused: ….way this reads is one Service department now has $34.60 plus GST in there till at the expense of one severed artery ....just my take on it.



The customer should be the life blood of any buisness, it's just a pity some staff don't realise it.


Getting back to the original post, I guess it depends whether the handbrake was adjusted by the cable or by the brake shoes in the drum

[popeye]

the mechanics are under appreiceated yet with out them cars would break down and more and more people wouldnt have ways to work.

so in some sort of a theory the tradesmen are the backbone of our society. no tradesmen =society collapses.

[HXLECHICK]

I was recently charged $32 for a set on windscreen wipers by the local dealership BUT

- I didn't request new wipers
- I had put new wipers on a week previous!

At least I have a cheque for that amount as a refund after complaining about it.


arrgghh! know the feeling..... couple of years back too my car for a service. the mechanic ended up changing the brake pads telling me that they were "metal on metal". interesting thing about that was that i'd replaced them myself about 4 weeks earlier. needless so say he did not get paid for he brake pads and i knocked half of the labour charge off too... I did love the look on his face when i told him that it was ME that had replaced them!!!!