Date:         Mon, 22 Aug 2005 08:16:58 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: costs of syncro tranny R&R
Comments: To: Daniel Stevens <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <s309a70f.030@gwia201.syr.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Terry/Robert claimed it was $4000 just for the tranny rebuild and
shipping. That amount did not include any R & R labor or other parts.
Obviously any major repair on any vehicle can get out of hand but that
says more about the owner and/or his choice of shop than it does about
the vehicle. I know someone who paid $600 for a Vanagon starter repair
on an out of town trip. It was at an autoelectric shop and they just
pulled the starter, took it apart and fixed it with parts they had, put
it back, $600 please. They billed 2 hours at $75 per to R&R it and $450
as the cost to "rebuild" it, based on Bosch price book list price for a
rebuilt one. Total ripoff but not because Vanagons cost a lot to fix. A
ripoff because they could get away with doing so. It takes maybe 15
minutes to pull and 15 to put back, not 2 hours. She could have
purchased a rebuilt starter for $175 outright and had almost anyone put
it in. They ripped her for at least $300 and she knows it.

Mark

Daniel Stevens wrote:

>I'm pretty sure that with adding in Labor for the removal, transport and
>pallet for freight to AA transaxle for a full rebuild (say $2600)
>then freight back, transport back to shop, install and some extra
>mark-up because mechanics just love to work on VWs and have plenty of
>time for all the shipping hassel to a rebuilder the customer specifies
>or just likes..
>
>I can see it reaching a $4k bill quickly.. too many of us do our own
>work, and assume everyone does thier own work..
>mechanics have to make a living.. and garages a profit.. costs of
>fuel,electric, and insurances, trained mechanics can and are quite
>pricey...
>
>
>