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worry about whether you were overcharged for your car is pretty emotional. There is tons of advice on how to avoid getting ripped off, but few discuss the actual car repair prices. We really need to look at the charges on car repair estimate or auto repair invoice to determine if we’re paying too much.
The focus needs to shift from the outdated and ineffective advice to deal with certain charges. Are they legitimate charges? They can be justified by industry guidelines?
Now car repair estimates can be confusing. So let’s break it down to get a better idea of whether Auto Repair Shop is billing you appropriately.
First, a glossary of terms is in order, as the auto industry has a language of its own …
Aftermarket Parts :. things are not made by or for the manufacturer
MSRP : Suggested retail price of the manufacturer
OEM : Original Equipment Manufacturer. Manufacturer approved parts designed specifically for the vehicle
TSBs :. Technical Service Bulletins. Notes and instructions from the manufacturer for known and specific concerns (they are not mine)
green fees :. Services such as alignments that do not get broken down into parts, tax, labor
Miscellaneous Charges : they can include, but are not limited to shop supplies – rags, chemicals, to dispose hazardous waste fees, waste oil … etc
Labor Rate : hourly fee repair center to service the car
Labor Time : time or hours decided that it will take to fix the car
Labor Description : step-by-step written details of repairs and / or services
Ok, let’s look at the anatomy of Auto Repair estimates
There are six key elements to car repair opinion
1) Customer / Vehicle Information
2) Parts
3) Labor
4) Miscellaneous Charges
5) green fees
6) a statement of changes
Customer and Vehicle Information
Using generic “top down” style food, the top part contains simply personal information and unique vehicle :. Year, make, model, mileage … etc, as well as the request or concern
We also find labor shop. The participation rate is important to determine whether you paid too much. Most repair centers do not list the labor rate. We will discuss why shortly.
Auto Parts
Parts are listed usually with a short description, and quantity, and price. There are three types of parts: OEM (parts of it or the manufacturer). These are the things installed by the dealer, although many local shops use OEM parts of
Aftermarket parts are non-OEM parts, and there are various degrees of quality, depending on the type and where they are made. – China against the United States, for example.
Then there are Used parts purchased from a salvage yard.
To determine whether you paid too much for parts, first find out what type of parts are used. With OEM parts, you do not want to pay more than MSRP, although most people do without realizing it. Television with aftermarket parts are similarly priced across brands, although beware not to pay more than MSRP, which again, making many folks. Used parts prices are all over the place, so choose the price in the middle.
Auto Repair Labor
Labor is billed in tenths. So 1.0 equals 1 hour. 1.5 equals an hour and a half.
Labor prices range from $ 60 to $ 100 per hour at local repair shops and $ 80 to $ 140 per hour at the dealer level. Labor times are based on established industry guidelines, which are often abused.
If you do not labor the store is based on the car repair invoice, ask the service for the price. Repair shops can manipulate labor (among others) the work of the county. Matrix pricing is a complicated and ethically questionable practice discussed Repair Trust literature. What you need to know is that you can pay as high as $ 150 per hour rather than the position of the labor exchange $ 105 per hour.
So you’ll want to multiply the number of hours charged (which is also often not posted) with labor shop to determine if you’ve been charged for it.
Most labor descriptions are poorly written and difficult to understand. So ask questions.
Here is the “clear” labor description for the 30,000-mile service on a Toyota Camry.
Performed 30,000 mile service on customer’s request, and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Changed oil and filter, installed new air filter, cabin filter and performed all the necessary tests, controls and procedures, including roadway (Miles 30.123 to 30,125). Performed lubrication services and freedom of establishment drive vehicle. Set the tire pressure, and checked fluids, belts and hoses. Note: vehicle is pulling slightly to the left. Need alignment
Miscellaneous Charges
The bulk of car repair bill will include parts and labor, but we can not forget Misc charges. These fees may include, but not limited to, shop supplies – rags, chemicals, hazardous waste, disposal fees, waste oil … etc. The latter charge separately in the summary at the bottom of the repair account.
Very few of these “extras” are actually used on a regular repairs. Miscellaneous fees are calculated by the amount of time the work charged, no amount of various items used.
green fees
Flat fees can be another very tricky area. Flat fees are services such as netting, which do not get broken down into parts, tax and labor. This makes it difficult to determine the actual and reasonable price. On the plus side, most flat fees competitively priced.
Note, however, another word for a flat fee is called Menu Selling. In other words, you might see Tune Up: $ 99.99 or Transmission Flush: $ 89.99. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations only, not the dealer or menu repair shop.
For an interesting read on this topic, click
car maintenance costs
Index changes
The last part of the auto repair plan summary. It is usually found in the bottom right hand corner of the invoice. Check it against the charges above to ensure that it adds up mathematically, as well as logical.
This basic plan outline may be different from a specific account, which may have other categories like “sublet” or “Hazmat.”
A sublet charge is added to the Auto Repair Shop uses another vender to fix or repair your car, such as a glass company that replaces your windshield.
A Hazmat charge may include waste oil or other disposal fees. Just make sure that charges are warranted, as again, they too are often calculated by the labor time rather than actual need.
In short, understanding fees “real”, ask the right questions, and break down Auto Repair cost is the best way to avoid paying excessive car repair prices.
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