I went to my mechanic to find out that the oil pressure switch was leaking and needs to be changed. He first said its cheap like $30 and $50 labour. Then he looked it up and said the part went up to $75. I had it fixed and later called his parts dealer and they would sell it retail $30. Now I don't know if I can trust this guy again. I though the parts dealer gives them a check periodically as a bonus. I don't know if the guy was thieving me. I later asked him if perhaps they made a mistake on the price of the part and he said no mistake, he said thats what the dealer charges him.
Do car mechanics make on the parts or does the parts dealer give them a cut?
- Thread starter Twister
- Start date
So I was talking with my long term mechanic that I have used for many years about this.
Part distributors carry various quality of parts. Also each distributor also may carry different manufacturers than other distributors. Some parts are built with better metal, performance, machining, components, warranty, etc. All parts out there are not the same.
Mechanics also add to the base price of the part to help offset any warranty replacement issues. If a part fails due to a manufacturing failure within warranty timelines the mechanic has to eat the cost of replacing the failed part labor installation. So essentially when a part fails which is not the mechanics fault the mechanic loses money since they are not charging the hourly shop fee.
Part distributors carry various quality of parts. Also each distributor also may carry different manufacturers than other distributors. Some parts are built with better metal, performance, machining, components, warranty, etc. All parts out there are not the same.
Mechanics also add to the base price of the part to help offset any warranty replacement issues. If a part fails due to a manufacturing failure within warranty timelines the mechanic has to eat the cost of replacing the failed part labor installation. So essentially when a part fails which is not the mechanics fault the mechanic loses money since they are not charging the hourly shop fee.
Original equipment parts cost roughly double the equivalent aftermarket part.
Find out what part was installed on your car.
Do you have a garage, ~$1000 worth of tools, and a second car for when yours is out of service? If so, definitely get mad about $40 and do the work yourself.
Mechanics definitely mark up parts. Ordering parts takes time, there are inventory costs, etc. It's business baby.
Mechanics definitely mark up parts. Ordering parts takes time, there are inventory costs, etc. It's business baby.
That’s not always true. I work in the industry, and we are seeing many cases where the OEM part is similar price to and sometimes even less than an aftermarket part.
Back to the original question, most repair shops will order parts from their suppliers and get a trade or wholesale discount from the list price, the percentage on that can vary. That allows them to make a bit of profit from the consumer on the part and the labour.
Of course. Any business sellling things need mark up their cot of goods.
I can see getting upset and not trusting the guy if he says he passes the direct cost onto you and you know he doesn't, or must have overpaid.
It takes time and effort to find part numbers, cross reference them to other manufacturers, place call for the order, receive and pay the invoice/statement etc. As well as having some reserve for replcing defective parts. The parts manufacturer may provide a warranty replacement but they rarely pay for removal and installtion of their defective part.
I can see getting upset and not trusting the guy if he says he passes the direct cost onto you and you know he doesn't, or must have overpaid.
It takes time and effort to find part numbers, cross reference them to other manufacturers, place call for the order, receive and pay the invoice/statement etc. As well as having some reserve for replcing defective parts. The parts manufacturer may provide a warranty replacement but they rarely pay for removal and installtion of their defective part.
His discount on parts is HIS discount. If you want parts at his price, then you have to buy the volume of parts he does.
If you can get that part for list $30 then his cost is probably $22. He should technicly sell it for list to you and he keeps the little markup from cost.
For him to double the list price it is a little expensive. Many mechanics do this but i think it is not right. They should be making money on labour not doubling a list price
For him to double the list price it is a little expensive. Many mechanics do this but i think it is not right. They should be making money on labour not doubling a list price
In the cases where OEM parts are similar in price it usually means there is a defect with that part so they discount it.
