Shop Labor Rate. Survey.

[rvis2005]

The Service segment in the RV Industry is vital to the satisfaction of the RV customer. Please answer yes or no to this question; I'm very curious...

If there was an RV Service facility in your area, that scored 8-10 on the level of service and had immediate service openings would you do business there if their labor rate was $190.00 per hour? Yes or no please. Thank you in advance. Tommy

[1gvols]

no

[ferndaleflyer]

I moved here 7 years ago and found a shop 15 miles away that I am convinced can fix anything-----they charge $65 an hour for the time they work on my unit. No flat rate hours......I have seen many a flat rate book say it takes 5 hours to fix something that takes 1/2 an hour. Its that flat rate deal that kills you.....

And NO to $190 an hour.

[rockhillmanor]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
NO.....

Shop can rate a 10 and charge less than $100/hr and I still would choke.

Majority of items in an RV can be fixed with inexpensive tools and basic understanding of mechanics and electrical systems....as I have proven many, many times over the past 30 yrs. of doing my own repairs.

$190/hr......preposterous

Not all repairs needed are just on the engine. Majority of RV repairs are on the inside. 98% of all the insides can be fixed with plain ole common sense. From a pop up to a Prevost appliances and innards are all the same o same o inside, baring some cherry wood cabinets and etched glass!:B

You don't have to be a rocket science to fix them or order a part to replace it.

Again once I found out about RV mobile repair I NEVER use a dealership anymore. Most of these guys have been working on RV's for years and know more than any tech in a dealership. It is their livelihood, reputation is at stake etc. AND they don't punch out at 4:30 and leave your MH sit for another day they work until it's finished.

They carry just about every part that commonly breaks on RV's on board their trucks AND surprisingly if you need a part to be ordered?

Hmmmmm, all the parts that I have ever needed to order they either went and picked it up the same day, came back and installed it and/or at the longest it was the 'next' day. Sure can't say you can experience THAT turnaround time at a dealership.

If I was a billionaire I still would NOT pay $195.00 an hour for RV service, I'd call my favorite RV Mobile Repair Guy!

[gemert]

no

[Dale_Traveling]

No.

[Big_Katuna]

n7bsn wrote:

Big Katuna wrote:


Who?

Chris Bryant

His firm

I've known Chris for many years and he is beyond helpful

Never used him. Tried a few times and could never get in. Didn't get much help on a warranty awning job once. Very smart, competent guy and I read his posts for learning purposes.

I do almost all of my coach repairs myself; HVAC, electrical.

Chassis (DP) I have rotated around between independents and Freightliner. Not that comfortable with FL although they have never shown any incompetence. Higher priced and not very caring or personal.

Getting ready to try Ultra Truck in Deland on topic; $80/hour for RV's, $60/hr for semi's and straight trucks.

Time for a five year service. Oil, trans, belts, hoses, coolant, etc.

[Sully2]

Executive wrote:
Based on your parameters, I would say YES !.

I don't mind paying for premium work, timely appointments and done right the first time. There's only so many ways to cook a steak but some will gladly pay for linen tablecloths....coffee is coffee, then there's Starbucks....don't step over dollars to pick up dimes...just sayin....Dennis

I should have known!

[mayo30]

Well to be very blunt,NO. It should not cost $190.00 per hour to fix most of these less then top quality RV'S put together by ???? $ 20.00 factory workers.No offence to either group, but frankly there is so much glitzy junk out there it is depressing.

[et2]

Yes. There is always the option to go somewhere else time permitting. Like for minor maintenance work. Cummins out here is $132.00 hr now. But $119.00 for commercial trucks. Not sure I understand the reason for that.

But most people in business are greedy. That high dollar per hour would not always guaranty you a quick turn around as more people want to get in at the last minute for repairs, despite the higher rates. So at some point you either end up with a list of people waiting to get in. Cummins in my area is running two shifts. So then you have to sell your reputation of doing good repairs (hopefully) and nobody around you can match it for less.

I would pay more knowing it was done right the first time. If I was lacking some funds there are other options.

[Executive45]

Based on your parameters, I would say YES !.

I don't mind paying for premium work, timely appointments and done right the first time. There's only so many ways to cook a steak but some will gladly pay for linen tablecloths....coffee is coffee, then there's Starbucks....don't step over dollars to pick up dimes...just sayin....Dennis

[Pop-Pop_C]

l001952119 wrote:

rvis2005 wrote:
Thank you for your replies. Ofcourse this is very informal. When replying remember this 190 per hour is charged by a facility that scores better than 8 out of 10. So, perhaps if they were more efficient the total bill might be less. 😉

That is a "RIDICULOUS" cost per hour. In Ft. Worth (very near you, they charge $119.00 which is also entirely to much. Remember, RV's are not a "Rolls Royce" level of quality which requires certified technicians.

Don't know where these people are finding these "quality" technicians.
Guess I will have to look harder. In the Ft. Worth area I have not found any.
2-3 week wait to get in and then no quality work. $100 - $120 is a ought right!

[n7bsn]

Big Katuna wrote:


Who?

Chris Bryant

His firm

I've known Chris for many years and he is beyond helpful

[robatthelake]

Not a Snowballs Chance in Hello!

There are just way too many good Heavy Duty Truck Repair Shops around that don't charge over $100. Per Hour even for their Best Senior Mechanic!

I made the mistake of having a well known Brand Name place do a minor adjustment to My Idle and check the Oil Pressure...Once Bitten Twice Shy! My Tools were not in the Rig as I had just bought it!

Now if that Expensive Shop had charged by the Minute and had put a licensed Technician on the job instead of the Guy that usually sweeps the Floor I might have been impressed! As it was what should have taken 20 Minutes for Me to do ended up taking the Shop 2 Hours to complete. Then it took another half an hour to prepare the bill .

After I read it over and confirmed that They had performed the work as agreed to on the Work Order ,I asked the Customer Service Manager how He was coming up with the figures .

His reply was that's what the book says !

The Book apparently works at a slower pace than anyone that I have met before!

[Dog_Folks]

Everyone has their own personal price point where they will not buy.

About five years ago we needed a new tub put in our camper. Tub was $139.00. Th RV dealer wanted $110.00 an hour for EIGHT hours to put it in. $880.00! My wife and I looked at each other and said:"We can do this."

And we did. I kept track of the time. Including building a new platform, which was not included at the dealer, it took me 5 hours with my wife handing me tools.