I'm having a ton of work done on my VW Jetta and so far it's taken since 10 this morning to now, 4pm. I had several things that needed done including: fixing a door that stopped latching, new timing belt, new water pump, checking the breaks, and fixing the power steering. It's impossible to find mechanics that will work on VW because they are so small and put together differently. For example if I need to do something as simple as changing a head light I have to unhook my battery and take it out of the car just to reach one of the lights. To change my timing belt and water pump he literally had to take just about EVERYTHING out from under my hood, that's why it took so long.
This mechanic has always been AWESOME to me and treated me great. He shops around looking for the best prices on parts and doesn't charge me anything for estimates or finding the problem. In fact, I moved an hour away and will drive that far just to have him look at my car. The VW dealership was going to charge me $50 just to look at my door that wasn't shutting and then another $75+ for the part (and most likely another $50 for labor, but they left that out). Guess how much my mechanic charged me? $10 TOTAL for the door not latching correctly! If he can fix something he fixes it or gets only the smallest part he needs rather than the entire mechanism.
Well anyway, my bill for all those hours and parts AND the hours it will take on Friday once another part gets there is: $750
If you have any idea of car parts and paying for a few hours of work you know that is a FANTASTIC deal! I feel like I should give him a tip for being so awesome to me.
Do you ever tip your mechanic, and do they get to keep the tip if they are in a small shop?
This mechanic has always been AWESOME to me and treated me great. He shops around looking for the best prices on parts and doesn't charge me anything for estimates or finding the problem. In fact, I moved an hour away and will drive that far just to have him look at my car. The VW dealership was going to charge me $50 just to look at my door that wasn't shutting and then another $75+ for the part (and most likely another $50 for labor, but they left that out). Guess how much my mechanic charged me? $10 TOTAL for the door not latching correctly! If he can fix something he fixes it or gets only the smallest part he needs rather than the entire mechanism.
Well anyway, my bill for all those hours and parts AND the hours it will take on Friday once another part gets there is: $750
Do you ever tip your mechanic, and do they get to keep the tip if they are in a small shop?