How much is too much

[jennis9]

How do you determine the cost of a repair? If you hire a mechanic and they cannot diagnose the problem, how many hours is too many before you pull the plug and take it somewhere else.

I only ask because we have never had a repair that has cost less than a thousand dollars. I had a throttle/cable put in and since the wrong cable was ordered three times, I paid for the time it took to replace the wrong part three times. Is there a general guide to how much a certain repair should be?

I am not opposed to paying for a job at what it costs - so I am not saying I should not pay market value. I like to get paid for my work as well without complaint. But is it fair to pay for someone else's learning curve?

 

[mmccoy555]

Re: How much is too much

As a mechanic myself, no I don't think you should pay for someone elses learning curve. If I run into a problem that I haven't come across yet I don't charge for the time it takes me to learn. I will charge for diagnosis once I know what I am looking at though.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: How much is too much

What kind of a mechanic do you have that has the gall to charge you for screwing up 2 X?
Sounds like your getting taken advantage. You need to find a new mechanic and when/if you take your boat to them act like you know what your talking about and tell them what you expect.

I have a friend that is mechanically clueless. He took his boat to a mechanic and the mechanic told him the outboard on it wasn't worth fixing and ended up selling him a brand new outboard. He had problems with the new outboard and we figured out his gas tank was contaminated with water.

 

[jennis9]

Re: How much is too much

Thanks guys - I had a feeling something smelled fishy. yes, we asked for an estimate on the current repair - and was told it was a carb rebuild - three hours tops. Well it's rebuilt and it still doesn't run. and he put in a few hours saturday and sunday - still no diagnosis. He called in another guy and hopefully we can find out what the actual problem is tonight.

I hate to think I have the word sucker tattooed on my forehead. But it seems as though I put my trust in someone who knows enough about mechanics to get some things done - basically speaking, but not much about good business practice.

I have been without the boat since the friday before memorial day... so I am mad and broke. and still not fishing.

 

[gss036]

Re: How much is too much

A good shop will look at the labor book for the time for the job and tha is what they should charge you, even if it takes twice as long. There should not be any charges for their mistakes and time involved in correcting them.
I would ask what the chargr should have been for the work originally done and pay for just that.

 

[capt sam]

Re: How much is too much

you need to find a reputable shop.

 

[jennis9]

Re: How much is too much

yes, we now have a recomendation and have talked to the guy who will be doing our repairs from now on. I just need to get my boat back. this is the stickiest situation I have ever been in and it's not a good feeling.