bomberyota

Well my starter is clicking so I decided to get some starter repair kits and replace the contacts. This is the funny part I called the dealer and asked for the part. He said he could back order them and the would be here in two days then he asked if I was qualified to replace them myself. I was thinking yeah I just replaced the C/Vs myself and I worked with my dad in his shop as a youngster. He offered to replace the starter for me for a deal because he said its a hard job. I was like no I can do it! So he said it would only be $225 plus 3 hours labor. Labor here is roughly $140 an hour. What a deal $665 compared to a little bit of my time and $26. I laughed hung up and ordered the parts off of the post on here. What a freak!

Toyo22R-E

Labor is $140 an hour?? That's highway robbery. I work at a dealer myself (we're not all thieves) and our labor rate is $85. I know that ain't exactly cheap, but better than $140!! He wanted to charge you $225 plus 3 hrs labor? I get 3 hours for removing the starter AND replacing the starter contacts (which run approx $30). There's an old saying, "You can shear a sheep once a year, but you can only skin it once". Sounds like your dealer needs a lesson in ethics. Good for you, you could do the job yourself. I usually am able to fix the starter for those who can't (or don't want to) for about what the part alone would cost for a new one.

TOR

$140 an hour, holy crap!!! That is outrageous. As for the starter, that is a common problem. Most people just opt for the new starter but some want the kit. In the end 6 out of the 10 people that say they can do it can't and end up buying a new starter from me. There are reasons that dealers tell you one thing when you know another is an option. Again I say not every dealership is out to steal your money.

Todd