I learn to work on cars in high school because I can't stand seeing my parents getting rip off at various auto repair shop. Unfortunately this practice continues now days even in highly reputable shops and many with great racing pedigrees. It continues to amaze me the price difference from shop to shop and how often people get rip off for simple projects. For example, I was quoted on labor cost for a tranny removal for LSD repair any where from $1800 to $3000 and CV boot replacement from $150 to $300. Labor rate can be any where from $65 to $200 per hour.

I look high and low and finally found Jay at Jarvas Autosports to service my Cup car. last week they replace my broken CV boot, clean and repack CV joint, bleed clutch, fiber optic scope the clutch to check life, fix my brake bias cable, corner balance, fix reverse cable on sequential, nut and bolt the Cup car. I was prepare for at least 8 hours labor but my bill came in at 4.25 hours at $80 per hour or $340 total! Another shop quoted $300 just for CV boot replacement!?

Many motorsports shops charge extortionately rate due to their racing heritage. The more race they win the more they charge. Some even resort to dishonest practice such as using old parts or over charge. Jay's shop was full of trophies from various race wins working as crew chiefs he is running out of room to hang it and his hourly rate was $80.

We need to have a system where members on this forum can post their feedback on various shops such as the one seen on google or amazon as follow:

XYZ Motorsports
3.5 out of 5 stars (depends on number of forum member feedback)
Pro: Great service, honest and clean
Cons: Bit pricey and not open on weekend

Motorsports shop can use this rating system as means of feedback to improve their business and forum members can be better guided with their service selection. We can have categories such as body/paint, general repair, alignment, tires/wheel, brakes, motorsports/racing etc. and have west coast, central and east coast sections along with Europe and Asia locations.

What do you guys think? I will volunteer to collected the data through PM or post reply. Other car forums have similar thread with very good recommendations.

 

I applaud you for your efforts, but I think its badly flawed.

1) People in the "know" are already aware of the top shops and their pricing

2) If they arent in the know, then search engines are already in use, or they talk to other members at track events, forum posts, etc

3) Opinions are just that....OPINIONS. One persons experience might be drastically different than anothers......yet it is NOT a true example of a shops competence and or skill level.

4) PRICE? Let me get this straight. You are sourcing out work (on your VERY expensive car) to the lowest bidder? Isnt that like going to the cheapest surgeon for Heart by-pass surgery? Or better yet.....Risking your life in your GT2/3 as you enter a heavy braking zone, and wonder "did the tech torque my wheels" ? There is so much more that goes into working on an expensive track car (weekend warrior or racer) to base it on price. Skill, competence, knowledge, available parts. and reputation in the marketplace are all characteristics that should be fed into your equation. NOT PRICE!!!

The old adage= YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

 

Unfortunatley price does not mean quality. I know for a fact (won't name names) some highly reputable shop charge their customer for brand new parts then put in used parts from their race cars instead. Quality and fair price is what I look for and the difference is drastic from shop to shop. Here is another example, I dread the thought of having to remove my Cup car tranny/engine for service due to cost. I ask Jay how much does he charge to remove tranny for clutch service, his quote was 1-2 hours total where as other shop charge up to 12 hours!?

What's the difference? Honesty and experience. Yes, customer feedback rating is purly subjective but that's what we have to go on. People will be more likely to visit a shop if they have many happy customers with positive feedback.

 

I think its a great idea. Many of us travel around to different tracks and its great to have a resource to find a 'good' shop in the area. Subjective feedback isn't rule, but any shop is going to get it whether they like it or not.

The intent should not be to price war.

 

Yes, not a price war at all. Quality has to be there. Other shop can study the feedback and ask themseves why ABC shop can do a clutch service in 2 hours but takes me 10 hours. They can learn the tricks of the trade by contacting other shops and learn. It is not going ot be feedback from general Joe public but rather car enthusiast from the forum which speaks volume

 

By starting this thread, you have effectively "promoted" your shop by quoting prices NOT once, but 3 times. I am all about fee for service, but in order to post a rating system, its hard to be "unbiased" when you have singled out one shop already. Removing a particular part is ONE thing.....sure, but please keep in mind, that speed doesnt equal EFFICIENCY.

Just becuase shop A can remove a clutch faster than shop B, doesnt indicate a proficiency in mechanical skill. Also, some shops will look at other parts and their relationship to the clutch to make sure that there doesnt exist a cause and effect. Again....I will take COMPETENCY and KNOWLEDGE over some yahoo that quotes world record times for removing parts. We are talking about PORSCHES, not Honda civics.

 

Nice, you join the forum in September 2011 and took what I had to say in a very personal way. No worry, your shop can keep charging what you charge and I will not bring my car there for service.

 

My intention was NOT to attack you in a personal way. If you took it that way, I apologize. My point is that its very difficult to instill a "rating system" when there are so many other factors that influence price.

 

you guys are highlighting the problem with such a suggestion on an internet forum...we have often dealt with the problem of vendors either creating their own multiple accounts or getting fanboyz to create accounts either to promote themselves or to denegrate their competitors...I don't take anything I read on the forum or the internet too seriously because you have no way of knowing where it is coming from and whether it is genuine or not...however, word of mouth from people I know and trust is an entirely different matter...when a member finds a shop or mechanic that they like or get good service from I would encourage them to post about it, although it should be short of promoting them as a commercial non sponsor...members that know member mikymu and trust him may well follow his suggestion those that do not may follow their own star....unfortunately, I think a shop rating thread would be far too open to abuse

 

Yes, I read you. Only if there is a way of coming up with a system that can avoid abuse from both fans and dissatified customers. I tried very hard to be honest with my feedback but some may find it inflammatory and unfair. Will give this more thoughts ...

Cheers

Mike

 

Its getting hot in here, I feel the flame. imagine that, a race shop selling used parts as new, who would figure?

-Troy

 

Mike, it works pretty good as it is...members post both good and bad experiences with different shops and they are usually either by geographical area, car model, manufacturer, or type specific since they are in a particular section of the forum...this is a good thing because a shop that is good with current Porsche (substitute your own car manuf) models might not be as competent with older or classic models and vice versa...if it was all posted in one place every member would have to sort through a multitude of threads to find specific info for his/her particular geographical area or vehicle...as it is now a simple search within a specific section will produce the desired results...then all you have to do is hope they are still in business

 

I think this rating system is a very very good idea! Lot's of us need suggestion about shops. For example I tried several tires shops lately, and without going into details quality and prices are very different.
I understand that certain repair may take a little bit longer for some (I do procedures myself for living) but among professionals the time difference should not be more than 50-60%

 

Well said !!

 

lol

I came from M3forum and have many 3rd degre burns to prove it. I was shocked to learn what some people do (illegal and dangerous) just to cheat a buck ... shameless!

Yeah, just trying to see if we can sum things up a bit so it will be easier to find. Plus when it's feedback from members it is much more relavent then random recommendation from someone getting an oil change

Yes, car repair is an art much like medicine. It may take someone 1 hour to remove a tranny but 5 hours for another shop. It was very hard for me to find the right shop for various jobs and I think a rating system with member feedback can lessen the pain. We may come up with a working system at rennlist soon ... stay tune