Connie
United States of America#2Author of original report
Tue, December 20, 2011
UPDATE: After contacting the BBB, the owner, Jeff Keller called to discuss the matter. He was very nice and tried to explain that another technician assisted in the process which was the reason for the labor charges. However, as we discussed the matter it was clear that the charge would have been the same regardless which he explained was the
way 'all' mechanics do business. He is very concerned about his reputation and I don't blame him. He offered to make things right by refunding the nearly 3 additional hours of labor and I was grateful for that resolution.
Flynrider
Phoenix,#3Consumer Comment
Thu, December 08, 2011
It's called a book rate. There are a standard number of hours that it takes to do a job and shops charge by the book. If a particular mechanic spends longer than that on a standard job, too bad for him, he doesn't get paid more. If a highly experienced mechanic can do the job faster, he is not penalized for being good at what he does. Doesn't that make sense?
You mention that all other mechanics have charged you for the actual time spent on the repair. I think it would be highly unusual if that were the case. Except for specialty mechanics, most shops charge the book rate for labor.
Proof that you were not ripped off would be the comparable prices that you were quoted from other shops. They would have charged you the same and probably taken longer to do the job.
I think it's very unreasonable for you to insist that a mechanic be paid less for doing a job in less time than the average mechanic. This shop actually did you a favor by not making you wait until the next day. I think you owe them an apology.