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Cutting Car Costs
Tips for Spending Less When Caring for Your Vehicle
By Kyle Busch
When using the book rate method, even if the brake job takes the mechanic only 55 minutes to complete, the customer is still charged for one and a half hours of time. The book rate method of doing vehicle repairs generally benefits the garage and not the customer.
If the garage owner seems to squirm when you ask about the billing method used for vehicle repairs, it is best to visit other garages. Mechanic ASE certification, licensure and the garage owner's response to billing practices will go a long way in your identifying the garage that is right for you.
In most instances, garages "mark-up" the price of parts used for vehicle repairs. Garages purchase parts at wholesale prices and then mark up the parts used for repairs. Although it is becoming rarer and rarer today, some garages will allow a customer to purchase the parts that will be used to repai their vehicle. Such garages will quote the customer on just the cost of labor to install the parts.