Automotive Repair Shops and Their Part Pricing Rant

[blakbearddelite]

I recently had an alternator replaced on the G8. When he told me what they would charge for an alternator, I thought it seemed pricey compared to what I’d paid for the Mustang alternator a few years ago. But knowing that the G8 only had a two year production run, I figured some of the parts might be a bit more expensive. Though I also figured that this alternator would be something that isn’t G8 specific, but more of a general part that is used across many platforms.

The price was $412, and the shop buys all their parts from a dealership. I was able to find three reputable websites that offered the same part number (non-remanufactured) at around $260-280. My question is why does the repair shop pay the huge mark-up from the dealership? Is it because they just pass that cost onto the customer? And if that’s the case, aren’t they worried about customers taking their business elsewhere?

Or is it pretty common practice that repair shops purchase their parts from the dealerships? I can see why they might because of quality issues and returns. I know the repair shop probably gets a 15% discount or something, but probably not too much since they’re stealing away business from the dealership.

Should I just get off my soapbox and suck it up that I couldn’t do the repair myself and it costs what it costs?

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[SinisterSHO]

How long did it take them to get from the dealer?
His long would it take to order online?
Would you have been ok with the time difference?

 

[EmersonHart13]

They are making money on the part too.

 

[Yaj Yak]

the repair shop is getting way more than 15% off from the dealership.

 

[Gone_2022]

OEM list price on that alternator (I assumed the V8 Model) is 412.97 using the GM part number 92191127. Seems pretty reasonable from that independant shop. Of course you will be able to get an aftermarket one cheaper.

 

[blakbearddelite]

How long did it take them to get from the dealer?
His long would it take to order online?
Would you have been ok with the time difference?

It took them three days to get the alternator for $412. Thru Rockauto, I could have had it over-nighted for $300 in total.

 

[daturbosix]

this is a irrelevant rant IMO..

you should have done it yourself if your gonna rant about the cost of having someone else repair your vehicle.

 

[bimmer4life]

It took them three days to get the alternator for $412. Thru Rockauto, I could have had it over-nighted for $300 in total.

Oh im confused. In your first post you said they bought from dealership. And why would they buy from a dealership. Now they bought from rockauto?

 

[EmersonHart13]

[MENTION=22]syP[/MENTION] what is your cost on that alternator?

 

[blakbearddelite]

Oh im confused. In your first post you said they bought from dealership. And why would they buy from a dealership. Now they bought from rockauto?

They ordered the part through the dealership. I could have gotten the part much cheaper and faster through Rockauto.

 

[SinisterSHO]

Oh im confused. In your first post you said they bought from dealership. And why would they buy from a dealership. Now they bought from rockauto?

Read it again

 

[Gone_2022]

There will always be a mark up. Whether you walked into the dealer and got it or had the shop buy it. You cant walk into a dealer and say I would like this part at cost. Doesnt work that way unless you know someone.

 

[blakbearddelite]

this is a irrelevant rant IMO..

you should have done it yourself if your gonna rant about the cost of having someone else repair your vehicle.

I don't mind a modest mark-up on the parts and paying for labor since I wasn't able to do it on my own.

 

[Yaj Yak]

They ordered the part through the dealership. I could have gotten the part much cheaper and faster through Rockauto.

this is a given for any automotive repair situation though...

 

[Gone_2022]

Dealer cost on this alternator is around 210 dollars. My parts system hasnt been updated since july of 2014 so add a few bucks

 

[Yaj Yak]

I don't mind a modest mark-up on the parts and paying for labor since I wasn't able to do it on my own.

and that's what you did, they sold you the OEM GM part at the OEM GM list price.

 

[Frank Dukes]

100% markup sounds about right

 

[bimmer4life]

Read it again

OK OK OK. I read it again. My eyes most have been full of tears from the Clarkson news. Carry on!


If I have to go to a shop. I always purchase the parts on my own and have them in stall. Most shops will allow this at least the ones I deal with. You only get bit if the part fails. Sure there is warranty as well through rockauto. But your shop will charge labor to put on and take off. If you use the part they pickup from dealer it should not cost you anything.

 

[greasy]

Mark just expect any time you get your car repaired at a shop for there to be a mark up on parts. They are trying to make money, it is a business.

 

[SinisterSHO]

I just pay [MENTION=945]daturbosix[/MENTION] in cheap beer and handys.

 

[daturbosix]

Mark just expect any time you get your car repaired at a shop for there to be a mark up on parts. They are trying to make money, it is a business.

 

[daturbosix]

I just pay @daturbosix in cheap beer and handys.

prices went up for 2015. you better start exercising your jaw

 

[IceCreamAssassin]

The simple fact is repair shops would not be able to stay open if they didn't mark up their parts. Basically as a rule of thumb figure they got the part for half price of what they charge you.
Sure you could buy your own part and give it to them to install, but then no warranty. If you ever get a discount on your repair, it comes off the part profit.

So your choices generally are ..
1. Pay full price and get a warranty with piece of mind it's not your problem anymore (which a lot of us don't care about because we fix our own shit)
2. Pay have price and have no warranty, but they will still rape you on labor to make it worth their time.

 

[syP]

list is 412.97

my cost is $243 out the door, tax included. OEM GM part

 

[daturbosix]

incase of next time. i would have swapped the alternator for you for $100, you bring your own part.