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Was talking to my Local Mechanic #12143745 03/16/17 03:48 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
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tx_basser Online Content OP
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Who has been taking car of my vehicles for 15 years, and I am amazed at how busy he stays. He works by himself and honest to a fault, and has at least 5 vehicles going all the time. He said it has been nonstop for the past 2-3 years, as more people are just repairing their vehicles instead of buying new, kids of customers starting to drive, word of mouth referrals, etc. I have to wonder is there that much money in the auto repair/service business now a days that a good mechanic can make a decent living?

Re: Was talking to my Local Mechanic [Re: tx_basser] #12143851 03/16/17 04:41 PM
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redchevy Offline
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I know there is a lot more involved in running a business than just shade tree mechanic, but here is my experience.

I do a lot of work on my and my family members vehicles.

-Replaced a starter on Honda car for about $200, Honda wanted $900 smaller shop wanted $500-600
-Replaced front hubs and CV shafts on 2 3/4 ton 4x4 pickups. My parts cost was $440 per vehicle (both sides) using better parts, shop wanted $1500
-Worst one was on a ford escape I could have done the work for about $100 in parts, the charge was $1,200 and change and not done at a dealer.

If you treat your vehicles respectably and have just a little common sense and mechanical knowledge you can keep your vehicles out of the shop/garage/dealer quite a bit.

Re: Was talking to my Local Mechanic [Re: tx_basser] #12149643 03/20/17 08:38 PM
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AdanV Offline
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Most mechanic shops charge about $60-$80 an hour (1 hour minimum).

I've been told you can make a decent living on it, but you have to keep a good honest reputation and have customers keep coming back (in a good way, not bad way). The more you screw customers, the more you'll have to screw customers just to stay afloat, and word of mouth travels quickly.

I do most work myself (brakes, spark plug changes, suspension), but there's a few things that'll be beyond my reach.
Fortunately, I have a good mechanic shop that was referred to me by a friend and pretty much made me a customer for life on the first visit. He informed that all his new customers are referrals and that he's never had a slow week since he started the business (over 20 years ago).

Yes, most people nowadays would rather pay a repair bill rather than a new car note.

Would you rather pay $500 each month for a new car? That's $6,000.
Or $500 in repairs for a whole year?

Re: Was talking to my Local Mechanic [Re: tx_basser] #12155053 03/23/17 08:52 PM
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Dougy Offline
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if your honest anf KNOW what your doing, thers lots of money to be made IMO

Re: Was talking to my Local Mechanic [Re: tx_basser] #12155518 03/24/17 02:16 AM
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fishmagnet Online Content
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YouTube and other internet resources have helped me save thousands of dollars taking care of my own vehicles. thumb


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