Typical rate is 80-120 per hourThat's what I'd like to know before everyone gets their panties in a bunch.
mechanic now asking for more money. what would u do?
- Thread starter pokergod
- Start date
You can't benefit from an error and contracts usually have a clause to deal with mistakes like the one you pointed out. If all the numbers add up to 110,000, then it is clear that the 11,000 was a mistake.I've been laying under cars since I was 8 years old. I have motor oil in my blood. I've known scores of mechanics - from dealers, to the neighbourhood type, to the cash out of their garage at home types.
They live and die by the flat rate system. Even the dealer mechanics get paid flat rate (not by the hour).
I look at it from the point of view that the second guy made a mistake and the OP knew it was not what he was quoted. You don't penalize a guy for an honest mistake. If the OP calls up the second guy at the shop and he says, "don't worry about it, I quoted you 2 hours, we're square", then that's it. But if the second guy changes his tune (as you so aptly put it), and says he made a mistake, then he made a mistake and you pay the man.
To do otherwise is not correct, despite what you and others may think.
I've been in situations very similar to the above where a mistake was made in invoicing work done and the mistake was realized and I was petitioned to make sure that I realized that there was an error and I stood by my word. You don't penalize a guy for a mistake. I've even been in situations where a mistake was made in the QUOTE after I carried the subcontractor's price and he realized his mistake and told me, "I made a mistake" and I've paid what should have been the correct price. I've seen clients pay corrected invoices for hundreds of thousands of dollars because a quote slipped a zero. I won't get into exact details because I will out myself, but I'm thinking of one instance where an item of work in a huge quote slipped a zero. Instead of being $110,000.00, the firm in question signed and sealed for $11,000. (It was a multi million dollar contract) But it was a hundred THOUSAND dollar typo. They appealed to me and the owner that they made an honest mistake and they had to correct it and upon reflection, both the owner and me agreed that it was a mistake and the mistake was realized and that since a service was rendered, it was proper to pay the correct price. There is actually legal precident for this. (Sorry, I'm not a lawyer, but it was explained to me.)
The only mistake the shop in question has made is that they should have PHONED the OP, never mind texting him. Texts are for kids. If you want to be serious, at the very least you get on the phoine.
As for this case he was quoted 3 hours, which was the estimate. Upon completion of the job the mechanic informed the costumer that the job only took 2 hours. That means that the other guy made a mistake on the quote. He quoted 3 hours instead of the 2 hours he should have properly quoted.
So if the first guy made the mistake in quoting the proper amount. Why should the customer pay for 3 hours now? The only way he is responsible for payment would be if the job actually took the 3 hours. Also had the job taken more than the three hours estimated. The costumer would have had to pay for the extra cost.
He doesn't have to pay.
What I notice is that most of the respondents here give quotes and if they complete the work under the quoted price, they screw the customer by charging them more than they should originally have.
Just be fair to people. Charge the right amount of what something cost.
At the end of the day, if you had gone to the dealership you would have paid whatever they asked no matter how long they took to do the job.
At the dealership you don't even get to see them work on your car.
They could say they changed the oil, parts or whatever and all the while they could just have the car sitting there for 3 hours.
This is where a dashcam comes in handy and some people have witnessed nothing done to their cars for things like simple oil changes.
I agree, your buddy fucked up, but the work was done and they did not try to hold your car.
Pay them and move on.
At the dealership you don't even get to see them work on your car.
They could say they changed the oil, parts or whatever and all the while they could just have the car sitting there for 3 hours.
This is where a dashcam comes in handy and some people have witnessed nothing done to their cars for things like simple oil changes.
I agree, your buddy fucked up, but the work was done and they did not try to hold your car.
Pay them and move on.
Having read the posts, I don't know what the hell the problem is...
The estimate is intended to protect the consumer from extra or excessive charges (subject to a 10% margin) without his/her informed consent (before the work is done) because, not being an expert, s/he does not know how much time is reasonably required for the job.
The mechanic is expected to charge only for labour time actually spent.
The same goes for parts: if the parts anticipated are not in fact used, it is fraudulent to charge for them.
When the mechanic quotes a flat rate for labour or a flat rate for the complete job, then that is what the consumer pays regardless of how much time was spent or what parts were used.
Here the mechanic charged for 2 hours because that was the time actually spent; the estimate is only an estimate. To charge more is also fraudulent.
Except for honest mistakes...
What's the problem?
Perry
The estimate is intended to protect the consumer from extra or excessive charges (subject to a 10% margin) without his/her informed consent (before the work is done) because, not being an expert, s/he does not know how much time is reasonably required for the job.
The mechanic is expected to charge only for labour time actually spent.
The same goes for parts: if the parts anticipated are not in fact used, it is fraudulent to charge for them.
When the mechanic quotes a flat rate for labour or a flat rate for the complete job, then that is what the consumer pays regardless of how much time was spent or what parts were used.
Here the mechanic charged for 2 hours because that was the time actually spent; the estimate is only an estimate. To charge more is also fraudulent.
Except for honest mistakes...
What's the problem?
Perry
Except in this case the OP was told if he paid cash he would not have to pay hst..........what does that tell you........?Just because they accept cash does NOT mean they commit fraud
Many smaller garages will do cash jobs & pay taxes simply to avoid bank fees and transaction fees
Some like Amex are horrible
It's not worth it for business owners to do a cash deal anymore, not in today's day since the owner now has to pay hst on all his stock and products. If the OP wasnt charged tax the auto shop did him a solid.Except in this case the OP was told if he paid cash he would not have to pay hst..........what does that tell you........?
To the OP to touch on your point about what other dealers are saying to you, I wouldn't put too much trust in what they have to say, obviously it's not in their best interest to be honest with you, they want a new customer! Do you not get that?!
I have been told by a reputable person who is familiar with this business that a mechanic can have the power to transfer the vehicle ownership under the Mechanics Lien Act...in fact this mechanic did it once...don't know the exact circumstances!!
That only works if they possession of the car
Way to speculateExcept in this case the OP was told if he paid cash he would not have to pay hst..........what does that tell you........?
I applaud your imagination except that was not written by the OP lol
Beyond wild conspiracy theories what made you write this response?
Again another who did not readIt's not worth it for business owners to do a cash deal anymore, not in today's day since the owner now has to pay hst on all his stock and products. If the OP wasnt charged tax the auto shop did him a solid.
To the OP to touch on your point about what other dealers are saying to you, I wouldn't put too much trust in what they have to say, obviously it's not in their best interest to be honest with you, they want a new customer! Do you not get that?!
The OP supplied ALL parts he said in initial post
The quote was labour only
Hence job was finished quicker, so he paid less
There is no "Mechanics Lien Act" anywaysI have been told by a reputable person who is familiar with this business that a mechanic can have the power to transfer the vehicle ownership under the Mechanics Lien Act...in fact this mechanic did it once...don't know the exact circumstances!!
But I assume you are referring to this:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90r25_e.htm
The part about holding the car was repealed back in 2014 if you check the link
So either way no the garage today can not do what you are saying
you need to read the post again as well because no where does the OP say that the job was finished early. He was quoted 300 because it was a 3 hr job and according to the owner it took even longerAgain another who did not read
The OP supplied ALL parts he said in initial post
The quote was labour only
Hence job was finished quicker, so he paid less
I brought my own parts.
If I bought the parts from them, I would have to pay taxes on the parts. The cash deal was for labour only. They can cheat the system doing it that way. They can say they had a slow week and only made x amount of dollars when they were actually business and made more.
If I bought the parts from them, I would have to pay taxes on the parts. The cash deal was for labour only. They can cheat the system doing it that way. They can say they had a slow week and only made x amount of dollars when they were actually business and made more.
It's not worth it for business owners to do a cash deal anymore, not in today's day since the owner now has to pay hst on all his stock and products. If the OP wasnt charged tax the auto shop did him a solid.
To the OP to touch on your point about what other dealers are saying to you, I wouldn't put too much trust in what they have to say, obviously it's not in their best interest to be honest with you, they want a new customer! Do you not get that?!
The mechanic owner that worked on the car charged me 2 hrs.
I wouldn't say it took longer as the other owner seems to add time for what they did. He told me that he wants an extra .5 hrs cause they installed new sway bar links. They had to take the sway bar links off anyways to change the part that I wanted to replace.
I wouldn't say it took longer as the other owner seems to add time for what they did. He told me that he wants an extra .5 hrs cause they installed new sway bar links. They had to take the sway bar links off anyways to change the part that I wanted to replace.
you need to read the post again as well because no where does the OP say that the job was finished early. He was quoted 300 because it was a 3 hr job and according to the owner it took even longer
So, what's the difference between a hooker and a car mechanic?
They both fuck you, but the mechanic's hourly rate is lower.
Perry
They both fuck you, but the mechanic's hourly rate is lower.
Perry
Except, usually, the hooker doesn't call you a few hours later asking for more cash..so I would be inclined to trust the hooker more than the mechanicSo, what's the difference between a hooker and a car mechanic?
They both fuck you, but the mechanic's hourly rate is lower.
Perry
They both drain fluids many times over the course of a day but the hooker make's it feel so awesome! :eyebrows:So, what's the difference between a hooker and a car mechanic?
Lol. Right!You don't get to be in the right both when underpaying what you were quoted and when refusing to pay the real labour cost because it went over the quote. Buddy did the work and deserves to be paid even if his partner goofed. You're wrong one way, or the other way. Salvage some respect (self and otherwise) and pay the estimate at least. Or sort it out with the two of them instead of asking for the Court of TERB to judge.
My bottom line would be Buddy who did your work deserves to be paid, not stiffed. But like you say, you have your car back.
I would agree with this. Working on cars is never clear cut, especially when they are older as things rust and it can be a bitch.If they have the car and not trying to do it off the books.
Frankly if they did a good job and the rate was more than reasonable, I'd say the quote was 3 can you tell me why it's now 3.5 hrs. If the gives any reasonable answer - I'd pay him.
Just me !
Your attitude is scary, very scary.
I pay for many things in cash. Fuck the CRA.
I pay for many things in cash. Fuck the CRA.
This business is doing work under the table for cash??? Clearly they are attempting to avoid declaring income....is that not tax fraud/evasion??? Pm me with the name of the business, their location, other details. I will be happy to report then to Revenue Canada We all lose when scamsters try to unfairly dodge the system
There is 0 wrong in paying for things in cash.
It is however up to the individuals who receive such cash to declare it as income.
It is however up to the individuals who receive such cash to declare it as income.
