Am I being ripped off?

  1. L-plater Joined: Aug 2011 Lancashire Posts: 58 Icelandic Grey VTR
    #1
    A relative of mine is a mechanic and has his own garage. I don't really see him unless my car needs fixing so I don't expect 'mates rates' but I don't expect to be ripped off either.

    People at work keep telling me I'm paying way too much for what he's doing, but I work in a pub and half of them think they are car experts, when really they haven't got a clue lol. So I thought most of you have owned Saxos so will probably have a better idea..

    The clutch had gone on my car so he ordered a new clutch and fitted it for me. He charged me £250.. Does this sound reasonable or should I find another mechanic?

  2. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.
    #2
    http://www.aepdirect.com/clutch-kit-...ategory_id=732

    Costs <£100 for a clutch kit. £15 for oil..

    So charged you £135 for the work.. Probably took 2-3 hours to do from start to finish - £45-67.50 a hour.

    Most garage mechanic's charge £50-80 a hour.

    So it's average.. Unless it took him longer than 2-3 hours.. then you certainly got your moneys worth
  3. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #3
    depends on the clutch, is it a valeo or a generic aftermarket?
  4. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #4
    As above really - £250 for a clutch fitted is pretty reasonable tbh. Hassle free, drive in, drive out, job done.
  5. L-plater Joined: Aug 2011 Lancashire Posts: 58 Icelandic Grey VTR
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by saxova View Post
    http://www.aepdirect.com/clutch-kit-...ategory_id=732

    Costs <£100 for a clutch kit. £15 for oil..

    So charged you £135 for the work.. Probably took 2-3 hours to do from start to finish - £45-67.50 a hour.

    Most garage mechanic's charge £50-80 a hour.

    So it's average.. Unless it took him longer than 2-3 hours.. then you certainly got your moneys worth
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by RossDagley View Post
    As above really - £250 for a clutch fitted is pretty reasonable tbh. Hassle free, drive in, drive out, job done.
    Ah that's good to know! Cheers guys

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Manu View Post
    depends on the clutch, is it a valeo or a generic aftermarket?
    I haven't got a clue lol
  6. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI
    #6
    As said above, depends on the quality of the clutch.

    If it was a cheap one and only lasts half the time then you may be looking at spending the same again soon.
  7. L-plater Joined: Aug 2011 Lancashire Posts: 58 Icelandic Grey VTR
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by devilsadvocate View Post
    As said above, depends on the quality of the clutch.

    If it was a cheap one and only lasts half the time then you may be looking at spending the same again soon.
    Ohh I don't know which one he got, I didn't know there were different types of clutches! Lol. I guess I will know in a few months
  8. Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 129
    #8
    I have a guy at clutch junction where I live who is the cheapest in the midlands he can get new clutches in for the price of many ppl can only by them for. And don't get me wrong iv sent many mates that way and used him with a few cars n my gfs and work mates cars with my old job and no knock backs years on. 150 new clutch in
  9. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2010 worcester Posts: 703 peugeot 106 VTR
    #9
    whats book time for a clutch? 3-4 hours
    some dealer rates can exceed above 100PPH not including parts.
    id say fair.
    although if you own a set of tools its only a days work on the drive and thats taking it steady and doing every thing methodically, need a friend or 2 tho
  10. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.
    #10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AzzAW93 View Post
    whats book time for a clutch? 3-4 hours
    some dealer rates can exceed above 100PPH not including parts.
    id say fair.
    although if you own a set of tools its only a days work on the drive and thats taking it steady and doing every thing methodically, need a friend or 2 tho
    With a name like 'Miss D' I doubt she will be wanting to do her own repairs / get her hands dirty
  11. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2010 worcester Posts: 703 peugeot 106 VTR
    #11
    yeah fair point, i didnt notice
  12. L-plater Joined: Aug 2011 Lancashire Posts: 58 Icelandic Grey VTR
    #12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by thorny4574 View Post
    I have a guy at clutch junction where I live who is the cheapest in the midlands he can get new clutches in for the price of many ppl can only by them for. And don't get me wrong iv sent many mates that way and used him with a few cars n my gfs and work mates cars with my old job and no knock backs years on. 150 new clutch in
    It's alright if you know someone who will do it that cheap, but as long as I'm not being ripped off I'm happy

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AzzAW93 View Post
    whats book time for a clutch? 3-4 hours
    some dealer rates can exceed above 100PPH not including parts.
    id say fair.
    although if you own a set of tools its only a days work on the drive and thats taking it steady and doing every thing methodically, need a friend or 2 tho
    He said it took him just over 4 hours, so now I think he was pretty reasonable

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by saxova View Post
    With a name like 'Miss D' I doubt she will be wanting to do her own repairs / get her hands dirty
    Haha tbh I would love to be able to fix my own car, but I don't know anything about them!.. Maybe one day
  13. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project
    #13
    Sounds pretty reasonable to me
  14. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2010 Midlands Posts: 2530 AX 16v Turbo
    #14
    it's not mates rates, it's what you would expect to pay anywhere.

    If he does a good job then stick with him, that's half the battle.

    I used to go to a guy who wasn't the cheapest, but he used to bend over backwards to get the job done, on time, usually the sameday, not having to book it in so it was worth paying for.
  15. L-plater Joined: Aug 2011 Lancashire Posts: 58 Icelandic Grey VTR
    #15
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ben_SaxoForte View Post
    Sounds pretty reasonable to me


    Quote:
    Originally Posted by e8_pqck View Post
    it's not mates rates, it's what you would expect to pay anywhere.

    If he does a good job then stick with him, that's half the battle.

    I used to go to a guy who wasn't the cheapest, but he used to bend over backwards to get the job done, on time, usually the sameday, not having to book it in so it was worth paying for.
    Yeah, he does a good job and usually gets it done straight away. It was just people telling me he's charging way too much and I haven't got a clue how much it's supposed to cost lol.. I will stick with him now though, just wanted to make sure
  16. Established Member Joined: Apr 2008 west Mids Posts: 1775 Mk1 White VTS
    #16
    If he is a relative then you know he isn't going to fuck with your car or do a shit job, unless he is a nob! However 250 I would say is on the expensive side. He should have sorted you out for 200 really. Put it this way he's not exactly doing you any favors.
  17. L-plater Joined: Aug 2011 Lancashire Posts: 58 Icelandic Grey VTR
    #17
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Psycho18 View Post
    If he is a relative then you know he isn't going to fuck with your car or do a shit job, unless he is a nob! However 250 I would say is on the expensive side. He should have sorted you out for 200 really. Put it this way he's not exactly doing you any favors.
    Yeah I knew he wasn't doing me any favours, but I'm not bothered about it as long as he's doing a good job, because like I said I don't really see him unless my car needs fixing lol I just don't want him charging me like 100 quid more than what another garage would charge
  18. Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2010 Kent Posts: 112 Saxo 1.1 Astra
    #18
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Miss-D View Post
    Haha tbh I would love to be able to fix my own car, but I don't know anything about them!.. Maybe one day
    just start with the simple stuff. nothing easier than changing a set of front pads for example... a clutch may be a bit ambitious for now lol
  19. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #19
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Psycho18 View Post
    If he is a relative then you know he isn't going to fuck with your car or do a shit job, unless he is a nob! However 250 I would say is on the expensive side. He should have sorted you out for 200 really. Put it this way he's not exactly doing you any favors.
    you have to consider...

    just because its a distant relative..she should get it for pennies? this guy has to make a living, which isnt easy for a lot in the motor trade at the min

    hes bound to have lots of friends and relatives...and friends of either of those, pestering him for work done,

    why should you expect someone to do stuff any cheaper unless you immediate family or VERY close friends?

    hes in it to win it at the end of the day,

    thats 4 hours of his time taken up that he could have been charging someone else at a fair rate which hes ended up taking a loss for..just becasue hes related some how? shes alrerady pointed out she only really sees him when her car is broken
  20. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2010 Midlands Posts: 2530 AX 16v Turbo
    #20
    I think he should give you a bit of a discount if you are family, i would anyway, even ones i don't see much of.

    What will the guys in the bar do it for?
  21. L-plater Joined: Aug 2011 Lancashire Posts: 58 Icelandic Grey VTR
    #21
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Al1x View Post
    just start with the simple stuff. nothing easier than changing a set of front pads for example... a clutch may be a bit ambitious for now lol
    I don't even know how to change a wheel haha and I know I wouldn't even be able to find the clutch never mind fit a new one ha

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by e8_pqck View Post
    I think he should give you a bit of a discount if you are family, i would anyway, even ones i don't see much of.

    What will the guys in the bar do it for?
    As long as he's not ripping me off it's fine, it would be a bit crap if ur own family was ripping u off lol they said they would do it for about £150, but I wouldn't trust them to do a good job