The Czickness XII: The Usual Suspects.

[churchmouse]

Ugh, just got a call from the mechanic. Apparently the leak we thought was a hose on the radiator of my wife's car was actually the water pump. Said the book lists it as a 12 hour job. Ouch.

That a well trained line mechanic will do in 6 hours 8 tops.

 

[canterbc]

Wow! Gotta pull the whole motor?

I know they have to pull a good bit off. Don't know if it's the whole motor or just the front end.

That a well trained line mechanic will do in 6 hours 8 tops.

Yea, you're telling me. "Going by the book" for labor rates is a scam. I'd be fine if they went by the book to quote the job and then charged less if it took less time but there is no way that is happening.

 

[churchmouse]

I know they have to pull a good bit off. Don't know if it's the whole motor or just the front end.



Yea, you're telling me. "Going by the book" for labor rates is a scam. I'd be fine if they went by the book to quote the job and then charged less if it took less time but there is no way that is happening.

No sir.

 

[88E30M50]

Ugh, just got a call from the mechanic. Apparently the leak we thought was a hose on the radiator of my wife's car was actually the water pump. Said the book lists it as a 12 hour job. Ouch.

Wow, that must be a heck of a job. What kind of vehicle is it? When I had my Tundra, I replaced the timing belt and did the water pump while I was in there since the timing belt drives the water pump on that engine. Lots to remove to get that deep, be even then, I think it was maybe a 6 hour job done in a home garage.

 

[canterbc]

Wow, that must be a heck of a job. What kind of vehicle is it? When I had my Tundra, I replaced the timing belt and did the water pump while I was in there since the timing belt drives the water pump on that engine. Lots to remove to get that deep, be even then, I think it was maybe a 6 hour job done in a home garage.

Its a Ford Edge. I think this is what might push me away from the dealership for maintenance. They have always been pretty fair to me but this seems to be taking advantage of us. The 12 hour thing may be totally legit, I don't know, but it seems a little high at $100/hr labor charge.

 

[RustyHornet]

I'm always amazed at what dealers charge per hour. I work at a dealer, but am in a whole different world than those guys. I feel we are charging too much at $42-$68/hr depending on the work being done and the skill level involved.

 

[churchmouse]

Met 88 at MCF&G at 8:00 and ran a few rounds into some steel. I love to punish steel.

 

[wtburnette]

Met 88 at MCF&G at 8:00 and ran a few rounds into some steel. I love to punish steel.

 

[Bosshoss]

I know they have to pull a good bit off. Don't know if it's the whole motor or just the front end.



Yea, you're telling me. "Going by the book" for labor rates is a scam. I'd be fine if they went by the book to quote the job and then charged less if it took less time but there is no way that is happening.

Not sure how flat rate is "a scam". I worked flat rate years ago and book was always pretty close you might beat it slightly on one job but go over on another. Personally I think the book protects the customer more than it hurts them. You said that "I'd be fine if they went by the book to quote the job and then charged less if it took less time" so I would guess that you would be fine if it went over the book and they charged you more?
A mechanic working flat rate goes to the bathroom or takes a 10 minute phone call or takes a long lunch on his time. A shop that doesn't work flat rate you will be charged when he/she takes a bathroom break. Mechanic will not be in a hurry if payed by actual hours.
If book says 12 hours it will be close to that and in my experience it is hard to beat the book unless the mechanic has done that job a couple of times before and knows what to expect and what he needs before he starts.

 

[88E30M50]

Spent some quality time out at MCFG with CM this morning. Burned a bit of 10mm, 9mm and .45. Those are all great things to burn before starting a day. The P10C is now north of 600 rounds and is still feeling pretty good to me. I put a little ammo through the CCO to keep fresh with it and ran the Colt 9mm 1911 a bit too. That one is a rattle box, but it's reliable. The Delta Elite still makes me smile every time I get a chance to shoot it.

 

[wtburnette]

Sounds like you guys had a good time

 

[88E30M50]

It's difficult to have a bad time when you are in good company and have nice guns to shoot.

 

[wtburnette]

It's difficult to have a bad time when you are in good company and have nice guns to shoot.

Very true!

 

[canterbc]

Not sure how flat rate is "a scam". I worked flat rate years ago and book was always pretty close you might beat it slightly on one job but go over on another. Personally I think the book protects the customer more than it hurts them. You said that "I'd be fine if they went by the book to quote the job and then charged less if it took less time" so I would guess that you would be fine if it went over the book and they charged you more?
A mechanic working flat rate goes to the bathroom or takes a 10 minute phone call or takes a long lunch on his time. A shop that doesn't work flat rate you will be charged when he/she takes a bathroom break. Mechanic will not be in a hurry if payed by actual hours.
If book says 12 hours it will be close to that and in my experience it is hard to beat the book unless the mechanic has done that job a couple of times before and knows what to expect and what he needs before he starts.

It is a scam when the book doesn't represent actual working times. Yes I'd be fine paying more if it took 15 instead of 12. You'd find the mechanics milking the clock and just not use them. Bathroom breaks and phone calls shouldn't be billed either. Again, it wouldn't take long to find the good mechanics. Really I just can't imagine a water pump swap is a 12 hour job. I'm not a mechanic and I may be completely wrong, but I'm guessing they have changed 759 water pumps on Ford Edges at this dealership and have figured out all the tricks.

 

[churchmouse]

Just got home from spending time with BA and the wizard.
The spouse and I rolled north and met them at our regular watering hole.
Part of #2 is in the Wizards hands. The rest will follow shortly.

Just a stellar day all around.

 

[KJQ6945]

Just got home from spending time with BA and the wizard.
The spouse and I rolled north and met them at our regular watering hole.
Part of #2 is in the Wizards hands. The rest will follow shortly.

Just a stellar day all around.

 

[88E30M50]

I've had a couple of glasses of wine tonight and am feeling a bit philosophical right now and am reflecting on the P10C. Forgive me for that, but that dang gun keeps getting better and better with every round I put through it. No wonder MAC raved about it when he had the chance to shoot a well worn in example on his trip to the Czech Republic last fall. I'm at about 600 rounds and the gun has a very different feel from when it was new. I cannot wait to hit the 2000 round mark to see how she runs.

Life's pretty good right now, with all of these great guns available.

 

[churchmouse]

I've had a couple of glasses of wine tonight and am feeling a bit philosophical right now and am reflecting on the P10C. Forgive me for that, but that dang gun keeps getting better and better with every round I put through it. No wonder MAC raved about it when he had the chance to shoot a well worn in example on his trip to the Czech Republic last fall. I'm at about 600 rounds and the gun has a very different feel from when it was new. I cannot wait to hit the 2000 round mark to see how she runs.

Life's pretty good right now, with all of these great guns available.

My only complaint with the P10C is that mile long trigger take up.
Cant find a lot else to be wrong with it.

 

[88E30M50]

Morning folks!

The initial take up is long but I'm not sure that can be fixed on a striker fired pistol. But, the take up is also pretty smooth. The reset is nice and short though. My biggest grip is the trigger shape. Shoot it a bunch and you feel it in your finger.

 

[bjenkins]

My only complaint with the P10C is that mile long trigger take up.
Cant find a lot else to be wrong with it.

Still thinking about the P10c, was wondering about the take up? The Gray Guns flat trigger has very little take up in my one 320, a very nice shooter.