1.5 hours of labor done in 39 minutes?

Search this thread

Last Updated:
Aug 5th, 2020 7:37 pm

Tags:

SCORE
-1
3
4

Reply to ThreadReply

Search this thread

Jul 31st, 2020 12:31 am

ZeroToHero [OP]: Sr. Member; Dec 31, 2010; 875 posts; 318 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Jul 31st, 2020 12:31 am

1.5 hours of labor done in 39 minutes?

I took my Acura for a B1 service, where they are supposed to change oil, filter, service front and rear brakes, rotate tires, and inspect everything etc...
I was charged for 1.5 hours of labor, service advisor told me it was 2 hours of labor needed to complete it, perhaps he was taking into account the wash.
However, my car's dash cam showed that it entered the shop at 10:11 and left just around 10:59, after which point it went for a wash.
The car is fairly new, about a year old, and its a routine service.
I have no evidence really to assume that they did not do something I was charged for, but I am curious if that is reasonable to complete all of B1 service within approximately 40 minutes.
Is it a couple of guys working on my car then? Apologies if it is a stupid question, I am genuinely curious about the dealer's service practices/workflow.
Thanks everyone

41 replies

Jul 31st, 2020 1:04 am

WMPCOT: Deal Addict; Apr 26, 2013; 2435 posts; 1733 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 31st, 2020 1:04 am

You must be new to auto service.

They have a book rate it shows how long it should take and that's what they charge for the job if they can do it faster than that they finish early but still price the job the same. If there is more than one person working on it, sometimes 2 the job will get done faster but you've got to pay both people, the job will be completed in theory in half the time. While one is doing your oil change and fluid check the other is rotating/checking your tires and doing the brake inspection and adjustments (if needed.)

+24

Jul 31st, 2020 1:26 am

rfdyup: Newbie; Jun 30, 2016; 33 posts; 19 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 1:26 am

The dealership has a crazy amount of overhead to cover so that's part of it.
For that kind of job that's a little iffy to take the full two hours though. But does that mean you paid over $200 for the privilege?

The other way to think about it is if you have a super experienced guy who knows everything inside and out then for sure it will be done faster than book time and so you are paying for that experience and expertise.
Or you get a newbie technician who can't always find where the dipstick is right away who will take the full two hours to work on your car ... who would you rather have working on it?

And then there is the odd time when a super difficult job says it takes 5 hours but then things go sideways and it takes them 10 hours where they eat that extra time so it can work both ways ...

+3

Jul 31st, 2020 1:44 am

iHop: Sr. Member; Apr 5, 2010; 835 posts; 84 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 1:44 am

If I was working on it, I might take 2 hours. Does that mean that you would pay 2 hours though?
The specialist tech did it in 39 minutes, which means hes done thousands of them. You're paying for the 1.5 hours which is the book time.
Don't like the price? Go to an indie mechanic.

+5

Jul 31st, 2020 2:21 am

ZeroToHero [OP]: Sr. Member; Dec 31, 2010; 875 posts; 318 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Jul 31st, 2020 2:21 am

Alright, cool that makes sense everyone thanks for clarifying!
I wasnt complaining - I am indeed new to auto service, and thats why I asked the question to learn more about how this works

+11

Jul 31st, 2020 3:28 am

jzmtl: Deal Addict; Jun 14, 2008; 3119 posts; 1941 upvotes; Montreal

Jul 31st, 2020 3:28 am

The book time is calculated by timing someone who does the job with all manual tools, probably not in a hurry, so obviously things will almost always go faster.

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 6:27 am

jackrabbit000: Deal Fanatic; Dec 28, 2007; 8055 posts; 4451 upvotes; Alberta

Jul 31st, 2020 6:27 am

ZeroToHero wrote: ↑ Alright, cool that makes sense everyone thanks for clarifying!
I wasnt complaining - I am indeed new to auto service, and thats why I asked the question to learn more about how this works

Whatever you do, don’t let them talk you into changing your cabin air filter. I was at my Honda dealer for an oil change and they charged the lady in front of me $99 to change it. It’s a $30 Honda part and less than a 5 minute job.

+2

Jul 31st, 2020 6:32 am

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 15636 posts; 4716 upvotes; London

Jul 31st, 2020 6:32 am

It’s based on an average time allotted for a particular job- a flat rate. If it was paid by actual hours, it would end up paying more for a less experienced person that took more time, ( the opposite of what should happen). Also, if the inexperienced guy screwed up and had to start over again, should you pay double the labor?

The average time also takes into account the more common problems that could be encountered, for example a rusted/ seized part that has to be heated with a torch to be removed

Last edited by l69norm on Jul 31st, 2020 7:44 am, edited 2 times in total.

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 6:32 am

alanbrenton: Deal Expert; Apr 21, 2004; 54050 posts; 18985 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 6:32 am

What do dealerships do when servicing the brakes? Lube the caliper pins and kinda brush off visible brake dust? Or do they remove the calipers and rotors and do the work?

+3

Jul 31st, 2020 6:52 am

cristianosham: Deal Addict; Sep 6, 2017; 3170 posts; 1883 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 6:52 am

If you find it costly to bring the car back to the dealer then find an indy.

+2

Jul 31st, 2020 8:14 am

Pete_Coach: Deal Expert; May 10, 2005; 35552 posts; 9578 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 31st, 2020 8:14 am

alanbrenton wrote: ↑ What do dealerships do when servicing the brakes? Lube the caliper pins and kinda brush off visible brake dust? Or do they remove the calipers and rotors and do the work?

Not sure what your question is.
On a brake service, they do all you say but also ensure that the brakes are safe and fully functioning. It is not just dusting and brushing off dirt, it is to make sure that all parts of the braking system are within specs. The brakes are then declared safe as required by law. The mechanic's license is on the line if he says the brakes are in spec and safe if something bad happens with them.

The Government cannot give to anybody anything that the Government does not first take from somebody else.

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 8:25 am

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 27738 posts; 12815 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 31st, 2020 8:25 am

when the service survey is sent to you, be sure to give this dealer the ultimate score for being super fast and efficient.

Someone from the dealer will surely call you up and say thanks and more service coupons will be mailed to you

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 8:45 am

alanbrenton: Deal Expert; Apr 21, 2004; 54050 posts; 18985 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2020 8:45 am

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑ Not sure what your question is.
On a brake service, they do all you say but also ensure that the brakes are safe and fully functioning. It is not just dusting and brushing off dirt, it is to make sure that all parts of the braking system are within specs. The brakes are then declared safe as required by law. The mechanic's license is on the line if he says the brakes are in spec and safe if something bad happens with them.

Good to know Pete.

+1

Jul 31st, 2020 9:20 am

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 15079 posts; 16027 upvotes; Oakville

Jul 31st, 2020 9:20 am

First off these "service inspections" are a rip off and there's a good chance that the technician, who may be some teenager, did a shoddy inspection anyways.
That said, you agreed to the service cost so it doesn't really matter how long they took. 1 hour or 2 hours, it's still a rip off that any person with above average intelligence could do themselves with a little investment in time and a few tools the first time.

+4

Jul 31st, 2020 9:49 am

Kkhan15: Deal Addict; Jan 1, 2013; 1713 posts; 919 upvotes; Durham

Jul 31st, 2020 9:49 am

Yup, nothing new. Just did my fuel pump, by Book Nissan is 3hrs labour. Took my Indy an hour to do

+1

Reply to Thread

Top