Rip off or not?

[marvinsc]

Myself and 3 others were on a ride yesterday, we took back roads to Paducah Kentucky with our destination being Metropolis Illinois across the Ohio River from Paducah. As we reached Paducah my bike developed a familiar wobble. We were less than a mile from a multi brand bike shop so I limped in with a flat front tire. The service department was open and said they would take care of it. I rode B!tch on the back of a Gold Wing Trike to Fat Ed's in Metropolis for lunch. They called as we were finishing lunch and said my bike was ready. I asked what they found and they said the tube was shot. I thought 1 hour labor plus a tube might be close to $125-150. Got there and they presented me a bill for $225.55. Myself and my companions thought that was excessive, they charged 1.8 hours labor to remove the front wheel, replace the tube and remount the wheel. Fair or not?

[Sandy]

Myself and 3 others were on a ride yesterday, we took back roads to Paducah Kentucky with our destination being Metropolis Illinois across the Ohio River from Paducah. As we reached Paducah my bike developed a familiar wobble. We were less than a mile from a multi brand bike shop so I limped in with a flat front tire. The service department was open and said they would take care of it. I rode B!tch on the back of a Gold Wing Trike to Fat Ed's in Metropolis for lunch. They called as we were finishing lunch and said my bike was ready. I asked what they found and they said the tube was shot. I thought 1 hour labor plus a tube might be close to $125-150. Got there and they presented me a bill for $225.55. Myself and my companions thought that was excessive, they charged 1.8 hours labor to remove the front wheel, replace the tube and remount the wheel. Fair or not?

Sounds like excessive time. How long was it since you left the bike and they phoned you? Sounds like you had a really long lunch.

[marvinsc]

Sounds like excessive time. How long was it since you left the bike and they phoned you? Sounds like you had a really long lunch.

A couple of hours, I am thinking the tech was not very skilled and I helped pay for his learning curve..........

[marvinsc]

Pretty sure the Dealer was a bit ashamed, the posted labor rate is $149 per hour but they reduced it to $99. In any event they have made their last dime from me.

[alke46]

Another reason to avoid ALL dealerships (if possible). It seems they all have the power to separate a riders money into their own pockets.

[bccap]

It's the same anywhere in the world .... There are two rates .... One for he lives in town and we might be dealing with him again .... And he doesn't live in town and we'll never see him again ......

[LAB3]

A few years back while at my favorite independent bike shop/campground in Michigan I got to thinking, does a real live balance job on a tire do better than using Ride-On balancer/sealer?

The family owned shop is owned and run by no less than three generations of real live bikers, the "old man" being a grizzled old flat track racer from back in the 60's. Being in his 80's he doesn't do a whole lot of wrenching himself and spends most of his time in the "showroom" sitting in a comfy chair and greeting customers while playing the part of town "Wise man" Believe me, he's earned it!

So anyhow, I had a tire shipped to my buddies place nearby and asked the old boy how much would it cost to mount and balance a tire if I brought the wheel and tire in with the old tire already off, he told me $25. Decided to have them do it, the price being reasonable enough.

His grandson took the tire and rim out back and in less than 1/2 hour brought it back out front while the old man and I had a nice conversation. The kid writes it up and says "Seventy eight dollars" Both me and the old man scoffed at this "I told him $25! You can't do business that way, you'll lose customers!" he says to the kid. "We've had this discussion before Grandpa, there's a reason we run this shop now, remember?"

Anyhow I grudgingly pay the bill and go on my way. About six months later I've managed to wear that tire out on go back to my old way of doing things and do it myself. Lo and behold I dismount that tire and what do I find inside? RIDE-ON! He did exactly what I would have done myself.

Returning the next summer I bring this up to the old man and he wasn't too happy to hear it. He calls the grandson up to the front and says "I could give a rats ass what you say kid, this guy gets full use of our tire changing machine free of charge from here out!" I've never taken them up on that but I sure hope the old boy is still alive, great guy all the way around.

[storm 64]

Imagine how the mechanic feels...
they're charging $150 per hour, and I'm only making $20 per hour.

[Big Block]

You were stranded and they got you going. That is painful but you got what you needed to save your day.
It comes down to the individual business. My neighbor went on a tour of northern B.C. on his BMW. Tire wore out in Prince George B.C. This was in 2020 and everyone was short of everything. Checked every bike shop and none had a tire. Checked the Harley shop and they had a used one that he got home on, zero charge. But thats in Canada so there's that.

[rphillips]

I hate dealerships, Try my best to never go to them "BUT". I do realize the dealerships "customers" have got to pay for those $1M +++ buildings, all equipment, all inventory, Insurance, utilities, all employees salaries including the ones that don't bring in $150 pr. hr.. then the taxes on any profits that may be left over at end of yr.. My independent guy charges me $50 to mount and balance if I bring in wheel and tire, or was to do it all, remove from bike, install and balance new tire, put back on bike for $100, the last time I brought in my Kaw. ZRX with no center stand. Other bikes are no problem, but that ZRX is well worth the extra $50... As always, just my opinion.