Ok, maybe I don't have a realistic idea of what one should be charged for repair work, but I'll share with y'all what just happened with my sisters 2002 Barina (60k on the clock) and Holden.

Basically, emissions control light came on, started flashing - manual instructs having it looked at ASAP. Booked it in with Holden, waited 4 days and Expensive Daewoo diagnosed it as faulty/failed ignition coil. $75 just to diagnose the problem, which I thought is fair enough. Then it was about $1150.00 for new coil, installation and new spark plugs.

My sister ordered a coil from some auto store up in Osborne Park (WA) and I picked it up for around $430.00. Took my sisters boyfriend bout 10 minutes to install - running perfectly now. He also priced up injector cleaning for $160.00 and plugs for about $20.00.

So does the $1150 quoted seem appropriate, realistic - seemed like bulls#$t to me. Sure, I couldn't diagnose and fix it myself...but c'mon.

The battery was disconnected which has reset the stereo that now requires the code. Expensive Daewoo told my sister that it's $45.00 to have the code put in to get it workin. The car was bought new in her name, from the same dealer...once again I'm suprised.

I know others have had issues with Ford servicing, but with the two 04 and 06 falcons I've got I've never had a problem or been suprised with the price or a repair or service. I for one, and glad I bought a T and not a commodore!

-T

been suprised with the price or a repair or service.

$80 just to flush a radiator...

$80 just to flush a radiator...

I can understand and accept paying money for labour on stuff I don't know how to do or want to do - flushin a radiator isn't something I've done before - google results show it isn't that hard, might give it a crack!

I work in IT and charge $44.00 to $77.00 per hour which is cheap compared to lots of others who are $120.00 an hour. Been told to up my rate, but can't justify cleaning a virus off a little ol' nanna's computer and charging her that much. Or when I get called out to fix a PC that isn't switched on at the wall...it has happened! Difficult work I'm happy to charge more...Guess I'll never be a millionaire with that attitude!!!

The 80 bucks was on top of a general service that they want to charge me for.....they were quickly told where to jam there 80 bucks....

120 an hour.....I'm in the wrong game...

And the guy doin the work will be a first year app getting a bout 6 bucks an hour!1 LOL

Chooka

I charge $150 per hour

As for the pricing, it is common for ALL car makers to rip their service clients off.

They generally have a captive customer who either cannot or wont take it elsewhere and just accept it costs that much.

My old man paid $2500 for 2 disk rotors and front pads on his Merc. If you buy brake pads for the Brembos from ford you will pay $900, when you can get them anywhere for under $400.

It is not just Expensive Daewoo who are ripoffs

I charge $150 per hour

Not for changing spark plugs though.

Nah we are IT network engineers, although I came across a Mechanic that charged $95 per hour.

Remember these guys have all the EPA cr@p to contend with.

So have to pay big bucks to have the old coolant taken away as you can't tip it down a drain anymore, can't recycle it, can't leave it in the sun to evapourate.

And since we all seem to be complaining about hourly rates my boss charges $395/hr for my apperances....I get about 20% of that....

jesus christ you'd get a sore jaw in that sort of business!!