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Independents Offer Quality Repairs

Gonzo

By Gonzo
in Automotive News

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DewayneP Contributor

DewayneP

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I take anything anyone from AutoMD says with a grain of salt. Of course they don't think OEM is better, they sell aftermarket parts themselves. There are many cases where an OEM part is not only better but essential in a quality repair. Case in point: Go to the AutoMD website and get an "Estimate" for a fuel pump replacement on a 2000 GMC Jimmy. They say parts should cost $90.75 from them or $107.09 at a shop. Labor, if they do it themselves is 3.2 hours or 2 hours at a shop. I just did this repair at my shop. An AC/Delco replacement module was over $320 my cost and the flat rate was 3.0 hours not including draining and refilling the tank (alldata). It actually took about 4 hours with all of the rust issues we have here and the total bill to the customer was just over $600. He was ecstatic, he had called around to several other shops in the area and I was several hundreds less than them and I used the OEM pump. I've compared several of my jobs to automd and found them to be close on some and way off on others.

We have to be careful with regards to telling people OEM is not necessary. There are times when it is the only way to go, this was just one case where OEM is necessary on this vehicle. Sure the pump cost a little more but I won't have to do it all over again in a year. This is where communication and trust between a service writer and customer is key. You have to build that trust first. In my case above, a previous customer of mine recommended me to this person. They spoke highly of me as a trustworthy technician and that I wouldn't steer them wrong. After talking to the customer and explaining why I only will use an OEM pump on these vehicles they understood where I was coming from and allowed me to do the job. It is a tight rope to walk between telling people independent shops are great and you don't need the dealer but on the other hand you do need to use OEM/Dealer parts for some repairs.

Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

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I take anything anyone from AutoMD says with a grain of salt. Of course they don't think OEM is better, they sell aftermarket parts themselves. There are many cases where an OEM part is not only better but essential in a quality repair. Case in point: Go to the AutoMD website and get an "Estimate" for a fuel pump replacement on a 2000 GMC Jimmy. They say parts should cost $90.75 from them or $107.09 at a shop. Labor, if they do it themselves is 3.2 hours or 2 hours at a shop. I just did this repair at my shop. An AC/Delco replacement module was over $320 my cost and the flat rate was 3.0 hours not including draining and refilling the tank (alldata). It actually took about 4 hours with all of the rust issues we have here and the total bill to the customer was just over $600. He was ecstatic, he had called around to several other shops in the area and I was several hundreds less than them and I used the OEM pump. I've compared several of my jobs to automd and found them to be close on some and way off on others.

We have to be careful with regards to telling people OEM is not necessary. There are times when it is the only way to go, this was just one case where OEM is necessary on this vehicle. Sure the pump cost a little more but I won't have to do it all over again in a year. This is where communication and trust between a service writer and customer is key. You have to build that trust first. In my case above, a previous customer of mine recommended me to this person. They spoke highly of me as a trustworthy technician and that I wouldn't steer them wrong. After talking to the customer and explaining why I only will use an OEM pump on these vehicles they understood where I was coming from and allowed me to do the job. It is a tight rope to walk between telling people independent shops are great and you don't need the dealer but on the other hand you do need to use OEM/Dealer parts for some repairs.

 

I couldn't agree more... I prefer OEM to anything... unless there is something special with the aftermarket part that makes it better... seldom does that happen.

 

I thought it was really interesting how the author of the story picked a dimmly lit shop and the grease covered cardboard on the floor... and two guys sticking their heads under a car... not on a lift... and I didn't see any safety jack... does a lot for the image...

  • 1 year later...
fendersc Newbie

fendersc

Posted
Posted

Getting a quality repairs for our vehicles is the only thing we look for when we have some damages and other factors. I would like to share that I always search for auto repair shops on internet to get some basic ideas and cost for repairing the damage car.

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    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

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