The water pump in my F250 died. The garage I took it to (came recommended by a local and good reviews) wanted to charge me $235 for water pump I was able to buy at the auto supply place (with lifetime warranty) for $129. They also wanted to charge me $68 for a serpentine belt which was $32 at the parts store. I am a single unmarried woman and it felt like they just assumed I wouldn't know or check the price of the parts. Happy to pay for the labor but he first tried to talk me into letting him find a different source and parts (what quality I wonder) for close to the same price. When I asked about warranties on the parts he said it would depend on the parts and I told him that if we're going to do this I'd like a lifetime warranty since I was standing at that moment in front of one that did have a lifetime warranty that was over $100 less. He finally (after a lot of silence on my end) agreed to that, but then called me back in 20 min and said he couldn't get them for that price so could I just bring the parts over. Why would anyone buy parts from a garage for that kind of mark-up when they could get them retail for so much less? I'm new to the area and need to find a place that I trust. I'm going to ask other garages for quotes to compare so I can get a sense of things. But doesn't that seem high and would any of you pay it when you could just take five min. to buy the parts yourself and hand them to the mechanic?

It is normal. They are doing it for a living.

My Brother in law, who is an independent mechanic, would tell you if you want to supply the parts install them yourself. He's not being a spchincter, he's just a businessman. Then again I have been telling him for years his prices are too cheap but he is one hell of a nice guy and honest person. When he buys parts at the chain stores, or a dealer, he gets them much cheaper than the average Joe gets them walking in off the street. He marks them back up 15% over his cost so depending on the part it may still be less than what you can get it for. The markup on OEM parts at a dealer is really high FYI. People go out and buy the cheapest part they can find, the mechanic installs it, and when it fails a few weeks down the road they then expect the mechanic to replace it for free.

It's even worse than you think as a 7.3 water pump can be bought for $60 delivered on Ebay plus no sales tax and a 12 month warranty. If you need it the next day then use Amazon and pay the sales tax.$75+/hour is more than enough to be "one hell of a nice guy and honest person" without making a profit on the parts. If not needed today, I can buy it for a lot less than what he's paying locally.My parts bill last year was over $8,000 and without the internet it would have been $15,000 as with a little research I can often find the item for half plus shipping on some item and often no sales tax. Last week I probably should have bought the entire gear box for $700 instead of one shaft and no gears for $300.Ben Franklin said a dollar saved is a dollar earned. Today he is way off as I have to earn over $17 to have $10 to spend. That $7,000 savings above actually saved me $12,000 as that's how muck I'd have to earn before all the various taxes are taken out or paid...sales tax.

cannesdo wrote:The water pump in my F250 died. The garage I took it to (came recommended by a local and good reviews) wanted to charge me $235 for water pump I was able to buy at the auto supply place (with lifetime warranty) for $129. Warranted by who? The manufacturer? Are they going to remove and replace that part when it fails?They also wanted to charge me $68 for a serpentine belt which was $32 at the parts store. I am a single unmarried woman and it felt like they just assumed I wouldn't know or check the price of the parts. And you being a single unmarried woman means what? How is that relevant or are you just playing the sympathy card? Happy to pay for the labor but he first tried to talk me into letting him find a different source and parts (what quality I wonder) for close to the same price. You have to wonder about the quality of the water pump you bought. I would much rather put on a cheap belt than a cheap water pump...much easier to replace.When I asked about warranties on the parts he said it would depend on the parts and I told him that if we're going to do this I'd like a lifetime warranty since I was standing at that moment in front of one that did have a lifetime warranty that was over $100 less. He finally (after a lot of silence on my end) agreed to that, but then called me back in 20 min and said he couldn't get them for that price so could I just bring the parts over. Why would anyone buy parts from a garage for that kind of mark-up when they could get them retail for so much less? Because when there lifetime warranted part fails they will remove and replace for free. The parts you bring...NO!I'm new to the area and need to find a place that I trust. I'm going to ask other garages for quotes to compare so I can get a sense of things. But doesn't that seem high and would any of you pay it when you could just take five min. to buy the parts yourself and hand them to the mechanic?

cannesdo wrote:Why would anyone buy parts from a garage for that kind of mark-up when they could get them retail for so much less? austingta wrote:It is normal. They are doing it for a living.Somewhat true. Are the prices from the "auto supply place" true "retail" prices ? Are they for parts from manufacturer ?The sad truth is most auto repair places charge full retail and very few will allow you to bring in your own parts.I do most of my own maintenance on all of my vehicles, but I did take on to my preferred repair shop for a new muffler (it had a lifetime warranty). There "safety inspection" recommended that I get a new belt, $90 installed. An online discount part store (Rock Auto) sells "top of the line" replacement for about $35. Lot's of profit in that quote !

Truck repair -- parts markup seems high... | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

Tvov
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2017
austingta wrote:
It is normal. They are doing it for a living.

This. It is how they make a living.

Find a good repair shop, frequent them, and DO NOT "nickel and dime" them to death! Be a good customer, and it will pay off when you are really in a jam and need help.
KCFDCapt
Explorer
Jul 06, 2017
Do you take eggs to a restaurant and ask them to cook them? It is the same thing.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2017
One of the reasons I'm getting out of the business is my wholesaler sells on Amazon for the same price I pay- not worth it to have $25K tied up in inventory only to have people think I am a crook for wanting to get a 35% markup.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2017
cannesdo wrote:
Why would anyone buy parts from a garage for that kind of mark-up when they could get them retail for so much less?

austingta wrote:
It is normal. They are doing it for a living.

Somewhat true. Are the prices from the "auto supply place" true "retail" prices ? Are they for parts from manufacturer ?

The sad truth is most auto repair places charge full retail and very few will allow you to bring in your own parts.

I do most of my own maintenance on all of my vehicles, but I did take on to my preferred repair shop for a new muffler (it had a lifetime warranty). There "safety inspection" recommended that I get a new belt, $90 installed. An online discount part store (Rock Auto) sells "top of the line" replacement for about $35. Lot's of profit in that quote !
RandACampin
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2017
cannesdo wrote:
The water pump in my F250 died. The garage I took it to (came recommended by a local and good reviews) wanted to charge me $235 for water pump I was able to buy at the auto supply place (with lifetime warranty) for $129.

Warranted by who? The manufacturer? Are they going to remove and replace that part when it fails?

They also wanted to charge me $68 for a serpentine belt which was $32 at the parts store. I am a single unmarried woman and it felt like they just assumed I wouldn't know or check the price of the parts.

And you being a single unmarried woman means what? How is that relevant or are you just playing the sympathy card?

Happy to pay for the labor but he first tried to talk me into letting him find a different source and parts (what quality I wonder) for close to the same price.

You have to wonder about the quality of the water pump you bought. I would much rather put on a cheap belt than a cheap water pump...much easier to replace.

When I asked about warranties on the parts he said it would depend on the parts and I told him that if we're going to do this I'd like a lifetime warranty since I was standing at that moment in front of one that did have a lifetime warranty that was over $100 less. He finally (after a lot of silence on my end) agreed to that, but then called me back in 20 min and said he couldn't get them for that price so could I just bring the parts over.

Why would anyone buy parts from a garage for that kind of mark-up when they could get them retail for so much less?

Because when there lifetime warranted part fails they will remove and replace for free. The parts you bring...NO!

I'm new to the area and need to find a place that I trust. I'm going to ask other garages for quotes to compare so I can get a sense of things. But doesn't that seem high and would any of you pay it when you could just take five min. to buy the parts yourself and hand them to the mechanic?
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 06, 2017
It's even worse than you think as a 7.3 water pump can be bought for $60 delivered on Ebay plus no sales tax and a 12 month warranty. If you need it the next day then use Amazon and pay the sales tax.

$75+/hour is more than enough to be "one hell of a nice guy and honest person" without making a profit on the parts. If not needed today, I can buy it for a lot less than what he's paying locally.

My parts bill last year was over $8,000 and without the internet it would have been $15,000 as with a little research I can often find the item for half plus shipping on some item and often no sales tax. Last week I probably should have bought the entire gear box for $700 instead of one shaft and no gears for $300.

Ben Franklin said a dollar saved is a dollar earned. Today he is way off as I have to earn over $17 to have $10 to spend. That $7,000 savings above actually saved me $12,000 as that's how muck I'd have to earn before all the various taxes are taken out or paid...sales tax.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2017
My Brother in law, who is an independent mechanic, would tell you if you want to supply the parts install them yourself. He's not being a spchincter, he's just a businessman. Then again I have been telling him for years his prices are too cheap but he is one hell of a nice guy and honest person. When he buys parts at the chain stores, or a dealer, he gets them much cheaper than the average Joe gets them walking in off the street. He marks them back up 15% over his cost so depending on the part it may still be less than what you can get it for. The markup on OEM parts at a dealer is really high FYI.

People go out and buy the cheapest part they can find, the mechanic installs it, and when it fails a few weeks down the road they then expect the mechanic to replace it for free.
austingta
Explorer
Jul 06, 2017
It is normal. They are doing it for a living.

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Truck repair -- parts markup seems high...

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