Anonymous
07/27/2025 20:49
Subject: mechanic prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it was "freon".
It was whatever makes the AC cold.
Older vehicles from the 1980s and older could still use freon.
1990s to about 2020 mfg use R-134a and newer than 2020 typically us R-1234yf.
You can look up the prices online and how to DIY if you get the fittings and such.
Your problem is not Freon but an active leak. Freon is permanent and never needs replenishment - unless there are leaks. Do people every add Freon to refrigerators?
Anonymous
07/24/2025 20:20
Subject: Re:mechanic prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:MRIs and cat scans should be free, too.
They should certainly be cheaper. $20,000 is RIDICULOUS. $1000 out of pocket and no insurance should be the norm for a MRI.
PP, life doesn't always work the way you want. Someone could say your employer should only pay you 30% of current salary. Would you agree with that?
- np
Anonymous
07/24/2025 20:16
Subject: Re:mechanic prices
Anonymous wrote:MRIs and cat scans should be free, too.
They should certainly be cheaper. $20,000 is RIDICULOUS. $1000 out of pocket and no insurance should be the norm for a MRI.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 16:42
Subject: Re:mechanic prices
MRIs and cat scans should be free, too.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 16:11
Subject: Re:mechanic prices
One lesson I've learned about brake pads on four different brands from Toyota, Audi, Mazda and BMW.
Always tell the shop to get the branded brake pads from the dealer. Do not use "OEM approved" replacements.
I've had nothing but problems with excessive brake dust from anything other than dealer pads. That causes pitting in the wheels and is a huge pain to keep clean.
You can use aftermaket rotors and calipers without a problem. Just not the brake pads.
Always tell the shop to get the branded brake pads from the dealer. Do not use "OEM approved" replacements.
I've had nothing but problems with excessive brake dust from anything other than dealer pads. That causes pitting in the wheels and is a huge pain to keep clean.
You can use aftermaket rotors and calipers without a problem. Just not the brake pads.
Anonymous
07/01/2025 06:22
Subject: mechanic prices
To the mechanic who is a small business owner - I value your input and would enjoy an "Ask Me Anything" post from you!
OP, I recently had brakes and rotors done, and they were expensive like yours. I googled the OEM part prices listed on invoice and didn't notice a significant markup, and I didn't want cheap brake parts. The labor was not cheap, but not like going to the dealer. I go to a shop that is specialized and knowledgeable about the car brand and do not trust shops that are not bc I figure it could create more problems. I also pay more for oil changes there. If it were my Ford or Chevy, I would be more flexible.
As far as DIY, spouse has done brakes, oil changes, spark plugs. It is do-able but not always ideal (except from a savings standpoint).
OP, I recently had brakes and rotors done, and they were expensive like yours. I googled the OEM part prices listed on invoice and didn't notice a significant markup, and I didn't want cheap brake parts. The labor was not cheap, but not like going to the dealer. I go to a shop that is specialized and knowledgeable about the car brand and do not trust shops that are not bc I figure it could create more problems. I also pay more for oil changes there. If it were my Ford or Chevy, I would be more flexible.
As far as DIY, spouse has done brakes, oil changes, spark plugs. It is do-able but not always ideal (except from a savings standpoint).
Anonymous
06/29/2025 15:48
Subject: mechanic prices
Anonymous wrote:I don't recall telling you that you were wrong, I was explaining why I don't want to pay for diagnostic fees. But the get off your high horse comment was because you seem to have an arrogance about you. Why would you refer to someone giving me an estimate on the price to paint my home as a "slob?".Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'm glad that I amused you. I'm even more pleased that you focused on one aspect of my comment for your reply but that's OK.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Despite mechanics like you paying quite a lot of money for your "diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices", you don't always get your diagnostics correct. How many times has a person had their "repairs" done by a mechanic only to find that the vehicle still has the same problem? I myself, have had my car diagnosed and paid for the the repair only to find out that the problem still existed and I've had to pay money to have the car repaired at another garage.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You've never heard of "free estimates". I wouldn't pay for someone to give me a price on how much to re-paint my house, or to do a plumbing repair. Why should I have to pay for someone to tell me how much a repair job on my car will be?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the markup on parts?
The repair shop rang and told me a part price and it was more that 400% higher than the retail price online. Presumably the repair shop buys at wholesale rates so what they were trying to charge me was maybe a 500% markup.
The other thing is the diagnostic fee which makes it hard to shop around for repair priced.
I hate this. For this reason, if someone says that they will have to charge me a fee just to see what's wrong with my car, I decline any further dealings and go somewhere else. The only way I'll pay this diagnostic fee is if every single repair shop charges it or if it's a big repair that I prefer done by the dealership.
You don’t ask a doctor to diagnose what is wrong with you for free, why should a mechanic do it for free?
Because the slob looking at your house with the pair of eyes he was born with to evaluate how much he’s going to charge you to paint it didn’t pay anything for his diagnostic devices- he was born with them.
I on the other hand, had to pay quite a lot of money for some of my diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices that I need to attach to the various ports in your car so I can see data.
So I should buy $80,000 in shop equipment so I can tell you what’s wrong with your car for free?
Interesting.
Let’s talk about what you do for a living now. What is it you do?
Charging someone a diagnostic fee makes it harder for someone to get a second opinion as they will feel that they can't afford to try another mechanic. Sorry, but if you want to charge me a dianostic fee then I'll do my best to never use your workshop.
You should get off your high horse.
This has to be a first for me… in an entire career of turning wrenches and eeking it out as a small business owner, this is the first time Ive ever been accused of being on a high horse. Wow.
I’m sure glad there’s people like you in the world who don’t have the first clue about how to do what I do, who can set me straight about all the stuff I’m doing wrong. 😂
I mean, what else am I supposed to say?
Someone didn’t understand why diagnostic estimates aren’t free, so an expert (that’d be me) posted to explain how expensive shop equipment is and that’s why diagnostics cost money…. and you - the person who doesn’t work on cars for a living - quotes me, and tells me I’m wrong.
So yeah, I think that’s pretty dang funny.
Because every house painter I’ve ever hired has been a slob. Without exception.
Anonymous
06/27/2025 17:10
Subject: mechanic prices
I don't recall telling you that you were wrong, I was explaining why I don't want to pay for diagnostic fees. But the get off your high horse comment was because you seem to have an arrogance about you. Why would you refer to someone giving me an estimate on the price to paint my home as a "slob?".Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'm glad that I amused you. I'm even more pleased that you focused on one aspect of my comment for your reply but that's OK.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Despite mechanics like you paying quite a lot of money for your "diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices", you don't always get your diagnostics correct. How many times has a person had their "repairs" done by a mechanic only to find that the vehicle still has the same problem? I myself, have had my car diagnosed and paid for the the repair only to find out that the problem still existed and I've had to pay money to have the car repaired at another garage.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You've never heard of "free estimates". I wouldn't pay for someone to give me a price on how much to re-paint my house, or to do a plumbing repair. Why should I have to pay for someone to tell me how much a repair job on my car will be?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the markup on parts?
The repair shop rang and told me a part price and it was more that 400% higher than the retail price online. Presumably the repair shop buys at wholesale rates so what they were trying to charge me was maybe a 500% markup.
The other thing is the diagnostic fee which makes it hard to shop around for repair priced.
I hate this. For this reason, if someone says that they will have to charge me a fee just to see what's wrong with my car, I decline any further dealings and go somewhere else. The only way I'll pay this diagnostic fee is if every single repair shop charges it or if it's a big repair that I prefer done by the dealership.
You don’t ask a doctor to diagnose what is wrong with you for free, why should a mechanic do it for free?
Because the slob looking at your house with the pair of eyes he was born with to evaluate how much he’s going to charge you to paint it didn’t pay anything for his diagnostic devices- he was born with them.
I on the other hand, had to pay quite a lot of money for some of my diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices that I need to attach to the various ports in your car so I can see data.
So I should buy $80,000 in shop equipment so I can tell you what’s wrong with your car for free?
Interesting.
Let’s talk about what you do for a living now. What is it you do?
Charging someone a diagnostic fee makes it harder for someone to get a second opinion as they will feel that they can't afford to try another mechanic. Sorry, but if you want to charge me a dianostic fee then I'll do my best to never use your workshop.
You should get off your high horse.
This has to be a first for me… in an entire career of turning wrenches and eeking it out as a small business owner, this is the first time Ive ever been accused of being on a high horse. Wow.
I’m sure glad there’s people like you in the world who don’t have the first clue about how to do what I do, who can set me straight about all the stuff I’m doing wrong. 😂
I mean, what else am I supposed to say?
Someone didn’t understand why diagnostic estimates aren’t free, so an expert (that’d be me) posted to explain how expensive shop equipment is and that’s why diagnostics cost money…. and you - the person who doesn’t work on cars for a living - quotes me, and tells me I’m wrong.
So yeah, I think that’s pretty dang funny.
Anonymous
06/27/2025 16:55
Subject: mechanic prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You've never heard of "free estimates". I wouldn't pay for someone to give me a price on how much to re-paint my house, or to do a plumbing repair. Why should I have to pay for someone to tell me how much a repair job on my car will be?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the markup on parts?
The repair shop rang and told me a part price and it was more that 400% higher than the retail price online. Presumably the repair shop buys at wholesale rates so what they were trying to charge me was maybe a 500% markup.
The other thing is the diagnostic fee which makes it hard to shop around for repair priced.
I hate this. For this reason, if someone says that they will have to charge me a fee just to see what's wrong with my car, I decline any further dealings and go somewhere else. The only way I'll pay this diagnostic fee is if every single repair shop charges it or if it's a big repair that I prefer done by the dealership.
You don’t ask a doctor to diagnose what is wrong with you for free, why should a mechanic do it for free?
Because the slob looking at your house with the pair of eyes he was born with to evaluate how much he’s going to charge you to paint it didn’t pay anything for his diagnostic devices- he was born with them.
I on the other hand, had to pay quite a lot of money for some of my diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices that I need to attach to the various ports in your car so I can see data.
So I should buy $80,000 in shop equipment so I can tell you what’s wrong with your car for free?
Interesting.
Let’s talk about what you do for a living now. What is it you do?
This right here is why i only own older cars, All i need for my car is an obd2 scanner.
THIS! Or go even older and you don't even need a scanner at all, the engines are so simple.
Anonymous
06/27/2025 16:34
Subject: mechanic prices
Anonymous wrote:I'm glad that I amused you. I'm even more pleased that you focused on one aspect of my comment for your reply but that's OK.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Despite mechanics like you paying quite a lot of money for your "diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices", you don't always get your diagnostics correct. How many times has a person had their "repairs" done by a mechanic only to find that the vehicle still has the same problem? I myself, have had my car diagnosed and paid for the the repair only to find out that the problem still existed and I've had to pay money to have the car repaired at another garage.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You've never heard of "free estimates". I wouldn't pay for someone to give me a price on how much to re-paint my house, or to do a plumbing repair. Why should I have to pay for someone to tell me how much a repair job on my car will be?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the markup on parts?
The repair shop rang and told me a part price and it was more that 400% higher than the retail price online. Presumably the repair shop buys at wholesale rates so what they were trying to charge me was maybe a 500% markup.
The other thing is the diagnostic fee which makes it hard to shop around for repair priced.
I hate this. For this reason, if someone says that they will have to charge me a fee just to see what's wrong with my car, I decline any further dealings and go somewhere else. The only way I'll pay this diagnostic fee is if every single repair shop charges it or if it's a big repair that I prefer done by the dealership.
You don’t ask a doctor to diagnose what is wrong with you for free, why should a mechanic do it for free?
Because the slob looking at your house with the pair of eyes he was born with to evaluate how much he’s going to charge you to paint it didn’t pay anything for his diagnostic devices- he was born with them.
I on the other hand, had to pay quite a lot of money for some of my diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices that I need to attach to the various ports in your car so I can see data.
So I should buy $80,000 in shop equipment so I can tell you what’s wrong with your car for free?
Interesting.
Let’s talk about what you do for a living now. What is it you do?
Charging someone a diagnostic fee makes it harder for someone to get a second opinion as they will feel that they can't afford to try another mechanic. Sorry, but if you want to charge me a dianostic fee then I'll do my best to never use your workshop.
You should get off your high horse.
This has to be a first for me… in an entire career of turning wrenches and eeking it out as a small business owner, this is the first time Ive ever been accused of being on a high horse. Wow.
I’m sure glad there’s people like you in the world who don’t have the first clue about how to do what I do, who can set me straight about all the stuff I’m doing wrong. 😂
I mean, what else am I supposed to say?
Someone didn’t understand why diagnostic estimates aren’t free, so an expert (that’d be me) posted to explain how expensive shop equipment is and that’s why diagnostics cost money…. and you - the person who doesn’t work on cars for a living - quotes me, and tells me I’m wrong.
So yeah, I think that’s pretty dang funny.
Anonymous
06/27/2025 16:28
Subject: mechanic prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You've never heard of "free estimates". I wouldn't pay for someone to give me a price on how much to re-paint my house, or to do a plumbing repair. Why should I have to pay for someone to tell me how much a repair job on my car will be?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the markup on parts?
The repair shop rang and told me a part price and it was more that 400% higher than the retail price online. Presumably the repair shop buys at wholesale rates so what they were trying to charge me was maybe a 500% markup.
The other thing is the diagnostic fee which makes it hard to shop around for repair priced.
I hate this. For this reason, if someone says that they will have to charge me a fee just to see what's wrong with my car, I decline any further dealings and go somewhere else. The only way I'll pay this diagnostic fee is if every single repair shop charges it or if it's a big repair that I prefer done by the dealership.
You don’t ask a doctor to diagnose what is wrong with you for free, why should a mechanic do it for free?
Because the slob looking at your house with the pair of eyes he was born with to evaluate how much he’s going to charge you to paint it didn’t pay anything for his diagnostic devices- he was born with them.
I on the other hand, had to pay quite a lot of money for some of my diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices that I need to attach to the various ports in your car so I can see data.
So I should buy $80,000 in shop equipment so I can tell you what’s wrong with your car for free?
Interesting.
Let’s talk about what you do for a living now. What is it you do?
This right here is why i only own older cars, All i need for my car is an obd2 scanner.
You’re smart.
If I didn’t work on cars for a living, I wouldn’t own anything made after the early 00’s.
In my opinion, to borrow a term from paleontology, which is a hobby of mine, the use of 0W-20 oil is like the KT Boundary for me. Once manufacturers started using 0W oil, I started seeing shorter service lives on things like cam shafts, timing chain tensioners, main bearings and crankshaft bearings and other rotating parts that typically had lifespans in the 100k miles. Oil consumption also went up then too.
But as the other poster said - I’m on a high horse. I probably don’t know what I’m talking about.
Anonymous
06/27/2025 16:15
Subject: mechanic prices
I'm glad that I amused you. I'm even more pleased that you focused on one aspect of my comment for your reply but that's OK.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Despite mechanics like you paying quite a lot of money for your "diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices", you don't always get your diagnostics correct. How many times has a person had their "repairs" done by a mechanic only to find that the vehicle still has the same problem? I myself, have had my car diagnosed and paid for the the repair only to find out that the problem still existed and I've had to pay money to have the car repaired at another garage.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You've never heard of "free estimates". I wouldn't pay for someone to give me a price on how much to re-paint my house, or to do a plumbing repair. Why should I have to pay for someone to tell me how much a repair job on my car will be?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the markup on parts?
The repair shop rang and told me a part price and it was more that 400% higher than the retail price online. Presumably the repair shop buys at wholesale rates so what they were trying to charge me was maybe a 500% markup.
The other thing is the diagnostic fee which makes it hard to shop around for repair priced.
I hate this. For this reason, if someone says that they will have to charge me a fee just to see what's wrong with my car, I decline any further dealings and go somewhere else. The only way I'll pay this diagnostic fee is if every single repair shop charges it or if it's a big repair that I prefer done by the dealership.
You don’t ask a doctor to diagnose what is wrong with you for free, why should a mechanic do it for free?
Because the slob looking at your house with the pair of eyes he was born with to evaluate how much he’s going to charge you to paint it didn’t pay anything for his diagnostic devices- he was born with them.
I on the other hand, had to pay quite a lot of money for some of my diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices that I need to attach to the various ports in your car so I can see data.
So I should buy $80,000 in shop equipment so I can tell you what’s wrong with your car for free?
Interesting.
Let’s talk about what you do for a living now. What is it you do?
Charging someone a diagnostic fee makes it harder for someone to get a second opinion as they will feel that they can't afford to try another mechanic. Sorry, but if you want to charge me a dianostic fee then I'll do my best to never use your workshop.
You should get off your high horse.
This has to be a first for me… in an entire career of turning wrenches and eeking it out as a small business owner, this is the first time Ive ever been accused of being on a high horse. Wow.
I’m sure glad there’s people like you in the world who don’t have the first clue about how to do what I do, who can set me straight about all the stuff I’m doing wrong. 😂
Anonymous
06/27/2025 16:08
Subject: mechanic prices
Anonymous wrote:Despite mechanics like you paying quite a lot of money for your "diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices", you don't always get your diagnostics correct. How many times has a person had their "repairs" done by a mechanic only to find that the vehicle still has the same problem? I myself, have had my car diagnosed and paid for the the repair only to find out that the problem still existed and I've had to pay money to have the car repaired at another garage.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You've never heard of "free estimates". I wouldn't pay for someone to give me a price on how much to re-paint my house, or to do a plumbing repair. Why should I have to pay for someone to tell me how much a repair job on my car will be?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the markup on parts?
The repair shop rang and told me a part price and it was more that 400% higher than the retail price online. Presumably the repair shop buys at wholesale rates so what they were trying to charge me was maybe a 500% markup.
The other thing is the diagnostic fee which makes it hard to shop around for repair priced.
I hate this. For this reason, if someone says that they will have to charge me a fee just to see what's wrong with my car, I decline any further dealings and go somewhere else. The only way I'll pay this diagnostic fee is if every single repair shop charges it or if it's a big repair that I prefer done by the dealership.
You don’t ask a doctor to diagnose what is wrong with you for free, why should a mechanic do it for free?
Because the slob looking at your house with the pair of eyes he was born with to evaluate how much he’s going to charge you to paint it didn’t pay anything for his diagnostic devices- he was born with them.
I on the other hand, had to pay quite a lot of money for some of my diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices that I need to attach to the various ports in your car so I can see data.
So I should buy $80,000 in shop equipment so I can tell you what’s wrong with your car for free?
Interesting.
Let’s talk about what you do for a living now. What is it you do?
Charging someone a diagnostic fee makes it harder for someone to get a second opinion as they will feel that they can't afford to try another mechanic. Sorry, but if you want to charge me a dianostic fee then I'll do my best to never use your workshop.
You should get off your high horse.
This has to be a first for me… in an entire career of turning wrenches and eeking it out as a small business owner, this is the first time Ive ever been accused of being on a high horse. Wow.
I’m sure glad there’s people like you in the world who don’t have the first clue about how to do what I do, who can set me straight about all the stuff I’m doing wrong. 😂
Anonymous
06/27/2025 15:23
Subject: mechanic prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You've never heard of "free estimates". I wouldn't pay for someone to give me a price on how much to re-paint my house, or to do a plumbing repair. Why should I have to pay for someone to tell me how much a repair job on my car will be?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the markup on parts?
The repair shop rang and told me a part price and it was more that 400% higher than the retail price online. Presumably the repair shop buys at wholesale rates so what they were trying to charge me was maybe a 500% markup.
The other thing is the diagnostic fee which makes it hard to shop around for repair priced.
I hate this. For this reason, if someone says that they will have to charge me a fee just to see what's wrong with my car, I decline any further dealings and go somewhere else. The only way I'll pay this diagnostic fee is if every single repair shop charges it or if it's a big repair that I prefer done by the dealership.
You don’t ask a doctor to diagnose what is wrong with you for free, why should a mechanic do it for free?
Because the slob looking at your house with the pair of eyes he was born with to evaluate how much he’s going to charge you to paint it didn’t pay anything for his diagnostic devices- he was born with them.
I on the other hand, had to pay quite a lot of money for some of my diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices that I need to attach to the various ports in your car so I can see data.
So I should buy $80,000 in shop equipment so I can tell you what’s wrong with your car for free?
Interesting.
Let’s talk about what you do for a living now. What is it you do?
This right here is why i only own older cars, All i need for my car is an obd2 scanner.
Anonymous
06/27/2025 15:12
Subject: mechanic prices
Despite mechanics like you paying quite a lot of money for your "diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices", you don't always get your diagnostics correct. How many times has a person had their "repairs" done by a mechanic only to find that the vehicle still has the same problem? I myself, have had my car diagnosed and paid for the the repair only to find out that the problem still existed and I've had to pay money to have the car repaired at another garage.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You've never heard of "free estimates". I wouldn't pay for someone to give me a price on how much to re-paint my house, or to do a plumbing repair. Why should I have to pay for someone to tell me how much a repair job on my car will be?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the markup on parts?
The repair shop rang and told me a part price and it was more that 400% higher than the retail price online. Presumably the repair shop buys at wholesale rates so what they were trying to charge me was maybe a 500% markup.
The other thing is the diagnostic fee which makes it hard to shop around for repair priced.
I hate this. For this reason, if someone says that they will have to charge me a fee just to see what's wrong with my car, I decline any further dealings and go somewhere else. The only way I'll pay this diagnostic fee is if every single repair shop charges it or if it's a big repair that I prefer done by the dealership.
You don’t ask a doctor to diagnose what is wrong with you for free, why should a mechanic do it for free?
Because the slob looking at your house with the pair of eyes he was born with to evaluate how much he’s going to charge you to paint it didn’t pay anything for his diagnostic devices- he was born with them.
I on the other hand, had to pay quite a lot of money for some of my diagnostic equipment and OEM interface firmware and devices that I need to attach to the various ports in your car so I can see data.
So I should buy $80,000 in shop equipment so I can tell you what’s wrong with your car for free?
Interesting.
Let’s talk about what you do for a living now. What is it you do?
Charging someone a diagnostic fee makes it harder for someone to get a second opinion as they will feel that they can't afford to try another mechanic. Sorry, but if you want to charge me a dianostic fee then I'll do my best to never use your workshop.
You should get off your high horse.