CentralCoaster wrote:
I usually try and charge about 1/2 of the dealer labor cost plus parts cost, and I purchase the parts myself, usually from rockauto.

For the labor estimate, I just call the local dealership and ask them, if it doesn't sound right, call another.

If it takes me forever to do the work, and I end up working for $20/hr, that's my problem. I'm not charging them to learn on their car. And that extra time spent increases my knowledge and abilities for future work.

Then I take my time checking internet forums or trying to dig up a service manual if it's diagnostic stuff. If I leave parts purchasing up to the customer, it delays the work, the parts don't show up at my house, or they end up ordering the wrong part, or some cheap knockoff to save $5.

Dealers also like to throw in extra parts that don't necessarily need replacing, so I can reduce their cost there too.

But hey, if you can't do part of the work, than he can take that portion to the dealer still.

As for the A/C work, do what the dealers do, spend some time diagnosing it and give him a quote before you get in too deep, and call him if/when you find any surprises that increase the cost.

The way I see it, is if they're saving 50%, they should expect the repair to take longer than normal, and accept the risk that you might not be able to do some of the work you promised since you don't have the overhead of an auto shop at your disposal. But they should also expect that you're not going to b.s. them or do halfass work.

And if the job is miserable, charge more. What's the worst that can happen, he'll take it somewhere else.

For the labor estimate, I just call the local dealership and ask them, if it doesn't sound right, call another.

CentralCoaster wrote:
Couldn't be any worse than the motorcycle dealerships that don't do test rides and instead tell you to go test ride something off craigslist and then come back when you're ready to buy.

Actually I bought mine from the local race supply shop and paid extra for it. They're the only one in town so I prefer to give them business.

If the dealers weren't doing shoddy or overpriced work in the first place, then people wouldn't be paying me to fix their cars.

Last week I fixed a nissan, dealer charged $75 to pull codes and wanted $700 more to change two sensors. I pulled the codes with a screwdriver, spent an hour doing research, verified the bad knock sensor and tps with a multimeter, got new OEM parts for $150, and replaced them in about 2 hours.

Two weeks ago I fixed a Subaru, repair shop wanted $500 for a new column harness to fix a shifter lockout problem. Problem was a sticky solenoid that took an hour to check and 10 seconds to lube. I did that one for free.