Jeff,
Thanks for the Rootes "Block Rates" shop standards. This same type of
thing is very normal for all
dealerships, foreign and domestic cars, throughout the US. At the
dealerships, however, they serve a
financial, rather than technical service. They set the time the mechanic
is PAID (at his rate) for a specific
job, independent of the time it actually takes him. It is usually based
on an average (read mediocre)
mechanics capability, and includes removing, using, cleaning, and
replacing each of the tools used, be
they his or dealer custom. This helps justify the number of $75/hour
increments collectible from the
customer. They are "block time hours", not real hours. I watched a job
completed in 1/2 hour, and was
charged the full 1 hour block time. Just got a quick mechanic, eh?
If the mechanic is speedy, and most can easily beat the time, he can
earn more money. The customer is
charged the same, regardless. This also helps standardize the costs
between dealerships in a given labor
rate area. Competition between dealers in not encouraged.
So, you can be assured that the mechanic is incentivized to go as fast
as he can to collect the fixed
amount, beat the "standard" time, and produce more profits for the
dealer.
What? You thought that it was for YOUR benefit? (9-)
Steve
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Steve Laifman
Editor
http://www.TigersUnited.com
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