Charges For Customers with Multiple Items Being Diagnosed

[5 Star Auto Spa]

When you have a customer that comes in to have multiple items diagnosed on their vehicle, do you charge each diagnostic item as a separate charge or do you lump them together into one charge? Example - Customer comes in with ABS Light, Check Engine Light, and Inoperative Gas Gauge. Customer wants all three items diagnosed. We typically charge $80 for computer diagnostic and would charge $80 for Fuel Gauge Diagnostic. The total charge would then be $80 * 3 = $240 for diagnostic of all 3 issues. This seems high but I wasn't sure if other shops charge in this manner or just group them together and charge a discounted diagnostic because there are multiple items that are being diagnosed - maybe a $160 charge?

[Gonzo]

I do. More than not, all these problems didn't start at the same time, they've let them build up over a number of months or more.

 

Besides, what seems like a simple problem say like... "no park lights" and you find out they have put an oversize fuse in and melted the harness from the fuse box to the headlight switch what good is it going to do to diagnose why the blower quit or what ever their other complaint is.

 

When that happens I get paid for the one diagnostics and the other diagnostics are forgotten about. Because, 9 chances out of 10 if it's "that" bad they ain't going to have any of it done anyway and all they were after is that "lucky" find and fix that you or I might run across while testing things.

[ncautoshop]

I do.  More than not, all these problems didn't start at the same time, they've let them build up over a number of months or more.

 

Besides, what seems like a simple problem say like... "no park lights" and you find out they have put an oversize fuse in and melted the harness from the fuse box to the headlight switch what good is it going to do to diagnose why the blower quit or what ever their other complaint is.

 

When that happens I get paid for the one diagnostics and the other diagnostics are forgotten about.  Because, 9 chances out of 10 if it's "that" bad they ain't going to have any of it done anyway and all they were after is that "lucky" find and fix that you or I might run across while testing things.

Exactly!

 

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[5 Star Auto Spa]

So you guys are saying that you DO charge for each item separately and let the customer decide if he wants all of the items diagnosed or just one?

[Gary A]

Each diag job or trouble code is a separate charge. I don't know how we could ever be profitable giving discounts on the most difficult work.