Flat rate labor...

[Gusagain]

Ok, so I have been harsh on the ///M; but well maintain her. (I do run the ring occasionally ) I recently had Inspection II completed (at 44,000 miles ). After the bill was paid (much relief actually) I asked my mechanic a few questions:
You replaced all of the fluids (minus oil, I do that task)
You performed the valve adjustment (yes, as per the inspection checklist)

So, the BS has been been set aside. I asked him; how come my bill is a thousand dollars cheaper then at the stealer? (I had Inspection I done at the dealer here in Stuttgart, shortly after the purchase -- no CPO) He didn't understand my question! With further questioning I found out that the FLAT RATE for the Inspection & labor is to include ALL services, that means the valve adjustment, oil change, diff oil, tranny and coolant too. Yes, you are reading this correctly and I am loosing a mechanic (he is moving stateside cuz they charge xtra for this --jkjk). He was dumbfounded to hear that dealers are charging xtra for the service that is to be included in the flat rate for the Inspection! Flate rate is flat rate, meaning if the task is on the checklist (valve adjustment) it is to be completed, no xtra charge!

Now don't get me wrong, stealers ( and my local guy) like to nickle and dime you; (wiper blades, washer fluid....parts are xtra). I attempt to top all fluids off, shop around and buy the windshield wipers where I can find a decent price ................. But still, for shops to be charging us consumers for a service that is included in the 5 hours of labor is absurd! Sure, this works both ways. Sometimes it does take xtra time to accomplish a job, but if the book of repairs calls for 5 hours of labor for the Inspection and it actually takes 10, they cannot charge you for the xtra 5 hours of labor.

Just thought I would share this info with you all.