Expensive Month of May

[disneysteve]

we are perfectly content to get hosed out of hundred$ or thousand$ by our mechanic

I don't think any of us are content to overpay. As I said, I've tried some independent mechanics but didn't find them to be much cheaper and they definitely didn't offer the same level of service. I'd love to find a place that is cheaper, does quality work, and is convenient.

Any tips on how to go about doing that? I've asked friends and coworkers and checked out the places they recommended but every single time, the prices were all pretty comparable. Are there any good websites for that sort of thing? Do you pick somebody from craigslist? I honestly have no idea how to find someone trustworthy who would charge 1/3 to 1/4 of what everyone else is charging.

[disneysteve]

I'm really curious about this as the topic has come up many other times so I did a little searching. I found this report: https://www.carmd.com/wp/vehicle-hea...d-state-index/ that supports what I said earlier about location mattering. My home state of NJ ranked as the 5th costliest in the country for auto repairs last year so that might be part of what's behind my personal experience.

[Thrif-t]

I'm really curious about this as the topic has come up many other times so I did a little searching. I found this report: https://www.carmd.com/wp/vehicle-hea...d-state-index/ that supports what I said earlier about location mattering. My home state of NJ ranked as the 5th costliest in the country for auto repairs last year so that might be part of what's behind my personal experience.

I'm in one of the lowest cost repair states. I get what TH is saying and I'm not trying to be snarky Texas but I guess I'm stuck paying what I'm paying if I can't do it myself or find anyone cheaper. I'm not saying you're not right that it can be done cheaper but it is what it is, that's all.

[msomnipotent]

This month is proving to be very costly for me as well. We planned for the $6,000 for our first property tax installment and the $1,400 for homeowners insurance, and the $400 for auto and another $400 for the last half our of pool membership, but it seems that everyone is either graduating, making their communion, or getting married. Our washing machine broke last night and I'm really hoping this $60 part will fix it. I'm not looking forward to buying a new washer and dryer and then having to leave it when we sell (which is customary in our area).

And not only did we finally find a house that is a contender, but I found out that someone stole my husband's identity and opened some credit cards. Of course this has to happen before we are approved for the mortgage and not after.

[commoncentsmike]

I'm going through a similar situation on the travel side. Visiting Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand & India for 6 weeks this summer. The trip itself isn't that expensive, but flights, visas, vaccinations, proper attire, etc. $$$$$$ when its all said and done!

Having said that, I don't regret it and I'm excited!

[~bs]

That makes sense. Since I've been driving a Toyota Camry since 1991, that could be why I've never found the independent shops to be cheaper.

Independents are like half price for repairs of my car. There's only 1 official dealership in my area, and they gouge like hell and do semi decent work. Servicing at both tends to be more similar in pricing, maybe a $100 difference as the main difference is probably only a lower labor rate for the independent.

[disneysteve]

Independents are like half price for repairs of my car. There's only 1 official dealership in my area, and they gouge like hell

That's probably a factor, too. I think there are 3 or 4 Toyota dealerships close enough to me to consider using for service, so not only are they competing with the independents, they're competing with each other.

The dealer I used to go to would only give a free loaner for major service. The one I go to now gives a loaner for any service. I don't have time to sit around and wait for them to service my car so I always get a loaner. Sometimes I have it for 2 days until my schedule allows me to get back there to pick up my car. When I was using an independent shop, I was paying for a rental car all that time.

[rennigade]

When I was using an independent shop, I was paying for a rental car all that time.

You're paying for it whether you realize it or not. Just because you receive an itemized bill and it doesnt specify "loaner car"...its already factored in with their hourly rates. Its more of a convenience thing.

[disneysteve]

You're paying for it whether you realize it or not. Just because you receive an itemized bill and it doesnt specify "loaner car"...its already factored in with their hourly rates. Its more of a convenience thing.

True. But it's a convenience well worth it to me. Using the independent shop was a pain in the butt. I had to drive to the shop and get my car taken care of. Then I had to call Enterprise and wait for them to come get me and take me back to their office to rent the car. Then I had to do the process in reverse to pick up the car. I don't have that kind of time, especially in the morning before work which is when I usually take the car for service.

[msomnipotent]

True. But it's a convenience well worth it to me. Using the independent shop was a pain in the butt. I had to drive to the shop and get my car taken care of. Then I had to call Enterprise and wait for them to come get me and take me back to their office to rent the car. Then I had to do the process in reverse to pick up the car. I don't have that kind of time, especially in the morning before work which is when I usually take the car for service.

It might be cheaper and easier for you to just have the car towed to the shop and take a cab or Uber back to the shop.

[~bs]

True. But it's a convenience well worth it to me. Using the independent shop was a pain in the butt. I had to drive to the shop and get my car taken care of. Then I had to call Enterprise and wait for them to come get me and take me back to their office to rent the car. Then I had to do the process in reverse to pick up the car. I don't have that kind of time, especially in the morning before work which is when I usually take the car for service.

well it's definitely not worth it for you if the price difference isn't enough to justify the cost.

and rennigade is right regarding the loaner or the free coffee and pastries and other various "perks" of the dealership.

[~bs]

well to get back on topic, I guess may is kinda expensive for me too.

Bill for hotel for travel later this year is due.
Upgraded some furniture after not changing anything for ~ 10 years. I'm more a function over form kinda guy.
- Custom wall mounted spice rack, shelves deep enough to get stuff like oil, Morton's salt, etc etc off my counter as well.
- shelving to store some of my whiskey collection, which is overflowing from where it's currently being stored/displayed.
- garage style heavy duty shelving rack to replace a presswood closet rack that just collapsed on itself last week. I use the area for business supply storage, so yeah, again function over form is preferable to me.

[disneysteve]

It might be cheaper and easier for you to just have the car towed to the shop and take a cab or Uber back to the shop.

And then what would I drive in the meantime? I need a car to get to and from work and other obligations. That's why I get a loaner/rental when my car is being serviced.

[msomnipotent]

And then what would I drive in the meantime? I need a car to get to and from work and other obligations. That's why I get a loaner/rental when my car is being serviced.

Uber to work, Uber to pick up. It shouldn't take more than one business day to get your car back with an appt. Or better yet, find a shop near your work and the tow truck can drop you off at the shop. My husband just has me follow him to the shop, so I don't have this problem.

[JBinKC]

December and January are typically the worst spending months for the household throughout my lifetime. Property and estimated taxes, association dues, lump sum insurance, holiday, heating costs. Bah humbug!

As for the auto repair. It pretty standard when you perform almost any service in an urban area you are going to be hosed for a variety of reasons. People are higher paid that result in higher overhead costs and the customer for the most part lack the time or skills to perform the task. People in rural areas are generally poor and are more resourceful with mechanical repairs one can only charge what the market can bear.

The mechanic I use is in a rural area 100 miles away when I lived in the city charges $60 an hour and welcomes me buying the parts given the expediency of being able to complete the job. But if the repair has only one or two layers of parts to remove and I have access to it I certainly will perform the repair myself. My water pump replacement cost a whole $23 with my 45 minutes of labor.



Same thing for a veterinarian offering the same service $120 city $20 rural.