Does this sound right?

[MilesToGo]

I called an Indy shop today to inquire about getting some work done on my SG. I do most things myself but i'm looking at installing the Baker F6F and just not a job i want to attempt. Anyway, i tell the guy what i want done and then he tells me about his experience and that his labor charge is $69 an hour. I tell him that i've ordered the F6F kit and that all i need him to do is install it. Then he proceeds to tell me they charge 10% extra if the customer supplies the parts and how they can't make any money bla..bla..bla. The first thing i wanted to say is "you can't make any money charging $69 an hour?" Instead i just said thankyou very much and hung up. So, my question is...is this 10% surcharge standard practice these days? I would think in this economy the shops would be glad to get the work regardless of whether they supply the parts or not.

[WEINERDOGBONE]

No. That is BS. Get away from that shop. The Indy that built my Night Train got some of the parts and I carried some in as I had been acquiring them for a while. They weren't the least bit squemish about me bringing my own parts.

They worked with me and I paid them a fair price. In the end, I got a good solid build and I still use them when ever I can.

[Sigs]

I have seen Indy shops do this or refuse to install the parts you acquired from other sources.

I would just find another shop that wants your business.

[MilesToGo]

Originally Posted by WEINERDOGBONE

No. That is BS. Get away from that shop. The Indy that built my Night Train got some of the parts and I carried some in as I had been acquiring them for a while. They weren't the least bit squemish about me bringing my own parts.

They worked with me and I paid them a fair price. In the end, I got a good solid build and I still use them when ever I can.

What's the name of the shop? I'm over near St. Louis but don't mind traveling a little ways to find a good shop. If anyone could recommend a good place near St. Louis that would be helpful.

[rob71458]

I am in the Truck repair business and labor alone does not pay the bills. If I had no work then maybe I would do the work , otherwise I would be offended. I let it slide once in a while, but most of my customers respect me and value my service so they don't do that. You wouldn't bring your own steak into a restaurant would you?

[hdmarsh77]

I'm a remodeler/renovator and wouldn't dream of charging someone for something they got themselves. If I did then I hope they would have the brains to tell me to get lost.

If I have to go get the parts myself then I do charge a small amount for time/gas, and I tell them that beforhand.

Go find a shop to install the parts(not a steak) that doesn't try to take you for every penny.

[03GLIDE_]

The last indy shop I had work on my bike I brought in parts for the build and purchased some from him. He had no problem with it at all. The parts that I needed beyond what i took him he called and gave me detailed prices and explained to me in detail why he needed them for the build. You need to find another indy shop.

[TXCHOP]

I run a little shop too...Small shop with very low overhead...In the auto industry its way harder to survive as there is a much larger markup on parts....

Customers bringing in their own parts isn't my favorite, but i still do the job, just not to let a customer out the door. Most guys dont bring their own, but ever since the invention of the internet there is the "i can get it cheaper at XXX place."
My response is always, by all means get it, i will install it and stand behind my work 100% but if there is a problem and something needs to be warrantied i get paid to redo the work and i dont get involved in the warranty procedure. Where as if i get the parts and do the work its covered 100%.

For a Job like the F6F, i would have no problems doing it as i am tooled for it, and have used it before with great luck. Just might throw and extra hour labor in there with out you knowing it....lol

[arealinvestor]

Originally Posted by TXCHOP

I run a little shop too...Small shop with very low overhead...In the auto industry its way harder to survive as there is a much larger markup on parts....

Customers bringing in their own parts isn't my favorite, but i still do the job, just not to let a customer out the door. Most guys dont bring their own, but ever since the invention of the internet there is the "i can get it cheaper at XXX place."
My response is always, by all means get it, i will install it and stand behind my work 100% but if there is a problem and something needs to be warrantied i get paid to redo the work and i dont get involved in the warranty procedure. Where as if i get the parts and do the work its covered 100%.

For a Job like the F6F, i would have no problems doing it as i am tooled for it, and have used it before with great luck. Just might throw and extra hour labor in there with out you knowing it....lol

Damn Chop!!!!

[arealinvestor]

Originally Posted by miles to go

I called an Indy shop today to inquire about getting some work done on my SG. I do most things myself but i'm looking at installing the Baker F6F and just not a job i want to attempt. Anyway, i tell the guy what i want done and then he tells me about his experience and that his labor charge is $69 an hour. I tell him that i've ordered the F6F kit and that all i need him to do is install it. Then he proceeds to tell me they charge 10% extra if the customer supplies the parts and how they can't make any money bla..bla..bla. The first thing i wanted to say is "you can't make any money charging $69 an hour?" Instead i just said thankyou very much and hung up. So, my question is...is this 10% surcharge standard practice these days? I would think in this economy the shops would be glad to get the work regardless of whether they supply the parts or not.

I wouldn't use that shop!!!!

[dog155]

It is not new that these shops will charge more if you bring in your own parts.It is a sad day,when their labor charge is not enough.

[sporty952]

Originally Posted by dog155

It is not new that these shops will charge more if you bring in your own parts.It is a sad day,when their labor charge is not enough.

Not so much a sad day, as not understanding and controlling
costs of doing business. If you're needing to sell parts to cover
labor, perhaps your labor rate is off.

$69/hour at 2000 hours is $138,000 per year (if all his time
is billable hours) . He's gotta' pay for all the overhead out of
that... $69/hour is lookin' kinda low.

-W

[MilesToGo]

Originally Posted by rob71458

I am in the Truck repair business and labor alone does not pay the bills. If I had no work then maybe I would do the work , otherwise I would be offended. I let it slide once in a while, but most of my customers respect me and value my service so they don't do that. You wouldn't bring your own steak into a restaurant would you?

I understand people need to make a living and i wouldn't just bring in a box of parts for someone to install - as long as we can agree on the parts i want for a reasonable price. I went ahead and purchased the F6F because they are on sale right now for $550 - normal retail is $900. I can see baulking at someone bringing in a collection of parts and saying "here install these" - i wouldn't want to do it either.

[MilesToGo]

Originally Posted by sporty952

Not so much a sad day, as not understanding and controlling
costs of doing business. If you're needing to sell parts to cover
labor, perhaps your labor rate is off.

$69/hour at 2000 hours is $138,000 per year (if all his time
is billable hours) . He's gotta' pay for all the overhead out of
that... $69/hour is lookin' kinda low.

-W

We have no idea what the overhead could be, but if he nets $100k i'd say that's pretty damn good money for turning wrenches.

[HarleyComforts]

The stupidity is they lose a future customer/business,and referrals had that happen to me with and Indy here and will never go there again.