183 replies to this topic

[Mort]

We're not ALLOWED to use common sense in mines any more...

Thats because it make the bosses look stupid.

[Dr Terry]

Back on topic
I'm not sure about the qoute time ratios and stuff but I know when I got a qoute off one place for my torrie to refit the washer bottle in the engine bay it was 2.5 hrs@$75 ph
That's not bad as I know those two screws holding it there can be a real bugger. Lol

I've run a workshop for over 35 years & I can tell you what has happened here.

It obviously doesn't take 2.5 hours to R & R a washer bottle, but that is only a small part of the job.

Somebody comes into the workshop & says to me, "my w/washers don't work, how much to fit this new bottle I've just purchased ?"

I've been caught before with owner diagnosis & what he wants is a fixed priced (including GST) to fix his w/washers.

The workshop dude has to pay a mechanic/technician (or he might do it himself) to not just fit the new bottle but also make sure the w/washers work properly. He fits the new bottle & pump (it's more than just 2 screws) & then finds that they don't work. He then has to stuff around to find any number of wiring dramas, anything from corroded contacts to homemade lousy wiring. He finally gets them work only to find that the hoses are perished & leaking &/or the nozzles are blocked. He finally gets it all to work & parks the car. He then has to explain the the disbelieving owner why the job was a bit more than just fitting a new bottle.

By the time the owner has left with perfectly working w/washers Including invoicing & arguments, the time is well over 2 hours. The customer thinks he has been ripped off & the workshop owner feels like there must be an easier way to earn a $. The workshop owner is forever trying to find a way to pay the overheads & still earn a decent wage. So next time an old car owner comes into his workshop, he remembers how much drama the last one was, so he over quotes, hoping not to get an angry customer on his hands.

BTW $75 is very cheap at current Sydney prices, the overheads of running a workshop are now ridiculous.

Golden rule - If somebody wants a fixed price quote up front, you have to over quote, otherwise you lose money.

Sorry to sound gloomy, but I've just closed my (up until recent times) very successful workshop after 37 years. I am also an owner of many old cars, a member of several car cubs & a CMC concours judge so I understand both sides of the argument very well.

Dr Terry

[Tiny]

Well said terry,
I don't think people understand what it takes to run a business.
What you have just described is the daily torture of trying to find that happy medium between making a quid, keeping a happy customer and staying in business.

It's a VERY fine line, and I think it's increasingly difficult to please people no matter if you do it well, reasonably (price and quality) or just on the cheap.

[rexy]

You know, I dont object to paying top dollar for top dollar work. I do object however to paying top dollar for crap work and service.
For example it took the workshop of a well known circuit racer - John Faulkiner - three goes to correctly install an aussie 4 speed replacement box in the LH many moons ago. Each time I was told to turn up, assured it would be ready. They didnt even have the decency to appologise or reduce the bill. It was a nice example for me of a word of mouth referral gone sour.

[rexy]

Well sort of free (opportunity cost)
There comes a point where I would rather pick up some extra work and pay someone to do certain jobs. Then we are hopefully both doing things we are best at.

[YELLAcakeu308]

hey sjp67m does that mean we will have to pay 40% more ontop of the ripoff prices most places in darwin charge? Know of tory owner thats been waiting a while for progres on a respray. Hope they dont get hit with the 40%.

[YELLAcakeu308]

Firstly if your trying to be a Smartass about my car and it getting painted and price rises I've already sorted my painter out for the dry season...
And if you don't like the price rise move away from Darwin simple as that... Instead of composing why don't u go somewhere cheaper? Like I said if we are still in business Obviously we have a good name and parts prices have risen over the years and I'm pretty sure that paint and panel work had gone up in years so why are mechanicals any different !

I don't believe I know you either ?

the tory owner im refering to is not you sjp67m, dont know you or your or ya old mans business. Havent seen ya car, any pics of it on the forum? Without going into the if you think darwins expensive then leave argument (cause alot of people wil be thinking about it when they receive their next power bill. Straight from the best darn newspaper there ever was... the NT NEWS)

[StephenSLR]

If you think Darwins expensive then leave ... cause alot of people wil be thinking about it when they receive their next power bill.

There's been power rises all over Aus.

s

[torana_nick]

The way I see it, everyone has to make money and at the end
Of the day they have to look after them selfs and there family's.
if Costs of materials go up of course we are gonna pay more. That sort of goes with out saying.,
if people can't afford the 20-30k price tag of a resto then restoring cars
Isent for you, I mean I can't afford to spend that kind of money hence the reason
I am doing 80% of the work my self.

[StephenSLR]

The way I see it, everyone has to make money

True but how much profit to make is the question.

It's basically supply and demand, if you don't like the price you go elsewhere, when enough people go elsewhere they'll reduce the price to get more business, the only problem is if they all overquote insurance companies this will boost up the price for those wanting restoration work.

s