cmc5dc

My indep. won't install OEM brake components I purchased online which is 1/2 of what he quoted me if he installs the same parts. He mentioned liability reason anybody heard of this? How could anyone prove or disprove if a problem did arise??

Solo_D33A

well, are you under warranty?

I always bought my parts online and went to Lexus to install since my car's out of warranty anyways and I trust them more than anyone else here and with a fair rate...

raytseng

I have heard of this. Different places are free to have their own policies, we don't live in communist Russia.

Go to a different shop, sounds like they have plenty of business without having to deal with you.

MDSC

iTrader: (3)

First of all everyshop has their rules so they can install it if they feel like it, if they wont go to a different place, make a few phone calls and find out who WILL install your own parts.
Second of when did lexus dealer started charging a fair rate? Last but not least Russia hasnt been a comunist country since august of 1991, thats almost 18 years.

Debonair

I know some shops will in fact do this. Others will install outside parts but will not warranty the labor. As suggested find another shop to deal with.

Whats a "indep."?

DarKnight

iTrader: (3)

Independent.

Solo_D33A

At least Lexus didn't rip me off like some other shop here by breaking ABS lines and saying they didn't touch it, tried to charge me storage fee when they couldn't find a way to fix my car, closed on holiday and I couldn't contact them for 2 weeks.

And the Lexus dealer charges just about the same as other shops here for the same job, I don't know about you, but I'd call that fair rate, knowing you might pay a bit more, but the job will be done the right way without having to worry.

raytseng

Exactly.
If i said, "We don't live in Russia", it wouldn't make sense, so I need the "Communist" qualifier to identify the specific time period.

I guess I was going for the Russian reversal joke, but I forgot that it goes "In Soviet Russia..." not "In Communist Russia..."

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/R...reversal_(joke)

cmc5dc

I'll try that next time. I know they recommended I change my tires and quoted me for the same tires that was 3x what I paid for on Tirerack

Solo_D33A

I bought my tires and let them do the install and balance...., they even told me to get my own parts for repair if I want then just threw it to them for the install (Engine mounts and tranny mount) And told me what else was wrong with my car (oil sensor's leaking a tiny bit, will be done on next timing belt change, which they also told me if I can find parts cheaper, I buy it there instead of them)

raytseng

You are lucky that your Lexus dealer isn't too expensive.

Around me, Lexus dealer charges about 40% more then average shop, so the % difference varies.
Around me my experience is
$140/hr rate for lexus dealership
$95 for equally high trained full service shop. (has multiple ase certified mechanics) with a front office service writer/advisor. I would use this for more complex tasks-timing belt/engine/electrical problems for example.

$70 for a less-than high end shop.
Examples: chassis specialty/1 man shop or only 1 Senior ASE mechanic/ no separate front office service advisor-you're shaking hands with the mechanic who is doing your work.
I would use this for the more regular maintenance (replace fluids/brake/suspension components etc).

Your $140/hr gets you get coffee/donuts, loaner car, and a carwash. But really, I'd rather just buy those bonuses myself with the money I save.

Back to the original topic, many places are OK with customer provided parts as they're open for more business. (Often they will give disclaimer that no help/warranty if the part is defective).

For the are shops that have different policies. I take this to mean they have enough customers already and don't need my business.

herbvdh

When I needed new tires I got a price from the dealer for the OEM tires with mounting, balancing and alignment. Next I priced tirerack added in shipping got a price from a local shop to do mounting, balancing and alignment. When I figured it all out it was about $50 more at the dealer at the next service I requested them to change all four tires. The dealer then gave me a AAA discount of 10% not available otherwise. Found out who supplies the dealer with tires it was tirerack.

MDSC

iTrader: (3)

Exactly why pay 50 more per hour to a guy that was hired off the street by a lexus dealer from a place that you probably wont go to because its not high end. But mechanics are all the same at the dealers too, plenty of dummys working everywhere in every industry, dont think if you take you car to lexus it wont get messed up. It has happen before and happening right now across the country.