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[quote=”Johnny Stang” post=173174] We did oil changes for cost of oil and filter only, no labor charge. We did of course mark up the oil and the filter a little bit, but had to stay competitive [/quote]
In the case of more expensive repairs (say front ball joints), I would feel better if, up front, the shop owner said “There will be a $xx surcharge to cover the cost of the bay and other consumables (rags, electricity, etc.)“
[quote=”Cammed 05″ post=173149]
I agree, the dealer does get parts quite a bit cheaper due to wholesale pricing direct from the manufacturer. In my opinion it is raping the customers. I can honestly go online to buy the same part I would order over the counter cheaper than my employee cost would be. It’s ridiculous. [/quote]
A couple of years ago I needed some serious front end work on that same ’98 E150. Inner and outer tie rods and adjusters, and idler arm. I bought Moog parts from Amazon (I have Prime) and saved over $200 in parts alone (I saved >$100 over “generic” parts). I saved >$100 installing them myself. It drove pretty wonky when I took it to get aligned !Ford is now offering direct sales through FordParts.com. Also, a lot of dealers are starting to sell surplus parts inventory online at incredibly cheap prices.
Auto repair is not the only business “enjoying” a huge markup over retail ! I got a quote for some electrical work around the house. Parts were 200-300% more than Home Depot !
The online market is hurting retailers big time. Walmart, Target and Kohl’s are all taking the “adapt of die” approach but are having a tough battle against Amazon.
I am not sure where all this is going, but a smart consumer can save a bundle.
[quote=”Cammed 05″ post=173125]A truly successful shop that is turning profit will have a 100-150% parts mark up. You can only make so much off of labor. The gm dealer I’m at has anywhere from 150-300% mark up depending on what it is. [/quote]
I would expect a dealer to make more on parts. He is getting them at true wholesale from the manufacturer.I can buy Motorcraft oil and a Motorcraft oil filter for LESS at Walmart’s full retail price than what most dealers charge when you buy an oil change from them.
[quote=”Cammed 05″ post=173125]If a customer wants to supply their own parts, that’s fine. We just let them know there is no warranty with install. I don’t mind it, I’m getting paid either way. [/quote]
I have no issue with the “No Warranty”, although I believe it should be a negotiable item if the customer purchases parts recommended/approved by the shop.[quote=”CrazedAssassin” post=173119]Those are pretty steep mark ups.
Either way though, pay the mark up or do it yourself. It’s a pet peeve of mine when people try to bring all the parts for their repair with them.[/quote]
Would you be less upset if the customer asked permission FIRST instead of just walking in ?
You are catching a lot of flack on other forums about welding in that ball joint.
I hope you reconsider and install a whole lower control arm.
[quote=”daneli” post=150379]For many years I’ve done all my own work and I avoid dealership service departments except for warranty work. I have had some unfortunate experiences:
3) My worst dealership experience happened two winters ago. We had a series of bad freeze/thaw cycles here in Michigan and our usually terrible roads became minefields. I hit a deep pot hole with my Infiniti G20 and destroyed the right side outer CV axle joint..[/quote]
You could file a claim with your county Road Commission. Picture of the pot hole and the damage are helpful.(P.S. I would like to FIRE everyone of our state legislators for turning rod maintenance funding into a f***ing politival beach ball !)
You can’t train “people skills” in to people who have none. Or maybe I should say, a small business (dealership) can not AFFORD to re-train that person.
BTW, the last time I had anything done at a dealer was the Ford Speed Control recall, probably close to 10 years ago.
Auto trans ? Smell the ATF. If it smells like burnt toast or is dark red, get the ATF changed immediately. Only use Mazda specified ATF.
As mentioned in the YouTube comments, get your self a NAPA 161A (CalVan 161) “on vehicle” brake line flare tool !
Also mention on YouTube, get yourself some 3/16 nickel-copper (NiCopp) brake line. You can bend it easily with your bare hands and it is supposed to last as long/longer than steel.
I had an almost identical car. It ran well, but I had 2 complaints. Lack of front seat head/leg room (I had to drive with the seat all the way back and I am only 5’10”) and lack of rear seat leg and head room (especially when the front seat was all the way back).
The Fusion is also know as the Mondeo in EU and that car is HUGE compared to the Contour.
Good job ! And great effort rounding up the suppliers to donate the parts. Eric, I hope YOU can write this off as a donation !!
You mentioned that the same vehicle would likely be back in a staring role. I hope you replace that “Rube Goldberg” job you did on that transmission hose. You are asking a lot for a hose clamp to hold on to a non-barbed tube !
Also, trans cooler hose is NOT the same as fuel line hose. Trans fluid gets a lot hotter (250+ is NOT uncommon). Also fuel hose these days comes in high pressure (fuel injection) and low pressure (carburetor and return line) versions.
[quote=”Ansith” post=91129] I am a bit curious as to why Ford hadn’t switched over to a crossflow head for the American sixes.[/quote]
I have had the pleasure of driving an FoA alloy cross flow head vehicle and you are correct, it IS a very nice engine. I worked with enegineers from both FoA and the US o putting EFI on that engine.The reasoning had a lot to do with the times. Setting up production for a significantly redesigned engine was not “fashionable” or “politically correct”. I6s had got the reputation as being a “Grandma’s” engine. Economy was in the 4 cylinders and performance in the V8. Even though the Fox body stayed around for a long time, the future was obviously FWD and an I6 would not fit.
Ford US had another I6, the 300cid/4.9L, that had a great reputation in trucks. It hung around a lot longer than the 3.3L/4.1L and even though a couple of prototype SOHC crossflow engines were built, again, it was not “fashionable”. People in the US wanted a V8 !
[quote=”Ansith” post=91129] I am a bit curious as to why Ford hadn’t switched over to a crossflow head for the American sixes.[/quote]
I have had the pleasure of driving an FoA alloy cross flow head vehicle and you are correct, it IS a very nice engine. I worked with enegineers from both FoA and the US o putting EFI on that engine.The reasoning had a lot to do with the times. Setting up production for a significantly redesigned engine was not “fashionable” or “politically correct”. I6s had got the reputation as being a “Grandma’s” engine. Economy was in the 4 cylinders and performance in the V8. Even though the Fox body stayed around for a long time, the future was obviously FWD and an I6 would not fit.
Ford US had another I6, the 300cid/4.9L, that had a great reputation in trucks. It hung around a lot longer than the 3.3L/4.1L and even though a couple of prototype SOHC crossflow engines were built, again, it was not “fashionable”. People in the US wanted a V8 !