Question on Dealer Labor Charges

[Sterlin]

I recently purchased a rear tire and grips with installation from Honda West in Fort Worth, TX.  I asked for an estimate for labor and was told 1.5 hrs for the tire and 0.5 or more for the grips, depending on how hard they were to remove.  I said that I had both done in less time previously but needed them and agreed.  The counter guy said there is no way I had a rear tire changed on that bike for less than 1.5 hrs.  I had removed the beetle bags to assist (really to prevent damage).  The work was done and I was charged for 2.0 hours labor @ $85/hr.  I asked why 2.0 and they said that's what it took.  I told the counter guy that I had seen the mechanic's time sheet which read 9:30 in - 10:24 out or just under 1.0 hr.  I said I thought an estimate was one thing but that I would pay for actual labor time.  I was told that the additional was for the time he spent on the paperwork and that he had to get the tire from inventory, etc.

An extra $85 isn't going to kill me but still feel I was ripped off.  Is this common practice, charging for estimate regardless of actual time?  What happens when the actual labor is over the estimate?

Your thoughts, experiences?

   

 

[Jess from VA]

My experience in general is ....hmmm.... most dealer's suck (some worse than others).

A variation on your theme is that there is often a "book value" of labor for much standard auto/motorcycle maintenance.  IE,  a rear tire may be 2.5 hours (esp when the honda manual says to entirely remove the exhaust & fender half... which of course is horsesh!t).  But when a good tech can do it in half the time, you generally still get billed the "book value" of labor. 

I mean these guys are also trying to make a living, and billing/rates are likely controlled by management more than the individual tech.... but really, when you go to the dealer it is best to just take the vaseline with you to make it less painful. 

[paps350]

Most dealers get paid what is known as flat rate for labor. They have a listing which gives a time that a certain repair should take the mechanic. He will be paid for that amount of time no matter how long it takes him to complete.For example the book tells the shop that 2 Hrs are given to remove and replace the rear tire on a certain bike and the mechanic does it in 1Hr he still is paid for 2 hrs and if it takes 3 Hrs he still is paid for 2 Hrs. The dealer and mechanic split the labor rate 50/50 so labor rate listed at 80.00 an hour and the job gives 2 Hrs they split 160.00 This is how they should be able to give an accurate estimate.