Originally Posted by
Cobra4B
I bolded the issue... it's all about value perception. I don't perceive $1000 for a job I could do for $300 a good value, and I don't know many who do. I know this is a fairly extreme example, but it is what it is.
Another good example is with the EBCM in Corvettes. The EBCM (electronic brake control module) is prone to failure as C5s get older... I forget the dealer cost for a new part but it's near $2000. There's a guy online who goes by "absfixer" and he charges $150 or so to fix yoru module if you send to him. A dealer would never ever consider something like this at all.
and that guy is ripping you off if you follow your thought process on this cause he is taking a repair job that costs about 3 dollars in materials and 20 minutes in time and charging you 150 bucks to fix it.
There is a FET in the modules that fries, its the control relay for the pump. it is a VERY common failure in all Kelsey Hayes brake systems in use in GM and Ford vehicles, I fix them for my customers in house for about the same price. The GM units are way overpriced, but the fact is there are many people that do not know how to repair them inexpensively (and I may add, a better repair than OE, cause its a higher amperage FET that is installed) or feel that the OE replacement is the best way to go. Add to the fact that when you install a new EBCM, it has to be programmed (another hour of labor straight to the Service Department!) with the vehicle information. Oh thats right...its a ripoff that they charge an hour time for something that takes ten minutes, I forgot. That Tech II didnt cost them anything (4200 bucks plus 1250/yr in Tis2Web subscription for software updates).
Originally Posted by
Cobra4B
Well there really is no overhead other than a domain name and hosting charges.
I guess the people that order the parts from GM, unload the trucks, stock the shelves, pull the parts and pack them for shipping are free? in addition to the cost of the electricity for the warehouse, telephone lines, internet, packing materials, and shipping costs are not a valid overhead line item for this business?
Cause if so...I want to hire every one of them lol. Even if the GM dealer you are referring to was able to pander off the costs of this side operation, it would have to be offset by another revenue source. Wonder which one that will be? Yup. Their SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
How does the book call out 3.4 for a trained technician and it took a shade tree mechanic 2 hours? (and the first 10 minutes was smoking a cig and just looking for a leak.) Maybe the book says to remove the TB to r/r the water pump. I didn't. But still, that's only three 10mm bolts.
And where did the magical $325 come from? LOL
I thought in my head when Adam said, "yeah, the dealer wants $990" that it was 6 hours book time, because the wholesale cost for the OEM water pump was $280 (list $350).
¯\(°_o)/¯
I do like driving the CTS-V.
I agree that someone is likely inflating the amounts, or there is a something that is not being told to either the service writer or the customer.