Overpriced repair?
Thread started by
SpringbokSchwinn at 07.10.09 - 2:38 pm
Ok, had a problem with my bike last night, made it back home and I took it to my local shop. The thing is, I was charged $15 dollars for what only took the dude in the shop 5 minutes. Turns out I also needed a new chain,(My old one was on its last legs, but you wouldn't have known from looking at it). That was only 8 bucks, so I wasn't too bummed about that. I'm trying to justify it by thinking that it was a repair based on the interest of safety, especially since I plan on riding tonight, but it only took the mechanic less than 5 minutes, and he didn't seem to break a sweat while getting my derailleur mount back in order. Bear in mind, I also spent the same amount at a shop when I got the bike to install the main drive and the brake, it also took much more than 5 minutes as well.
Was I duped or was it the best course of action given the circumstances?
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so the guy fixed ur derailleur and ur chain?
and u feel duped bc u paid 15 bucks?
KiMS107.10.09 - 2:52 pm
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NAH FUCK THAT, THAT GUY FUCKING RIPPED YOU OFF! BURN HIS FUCKING SHOP DOWN ASSHOLE. FUCK THAT SHIT!!!!
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by mattspeed
07.10.09 - 2:56 pm
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15 bucks sounds bout right and maybe even on the cheaper side.
if u feel u got duped, youtube some bike maintenance vids, grab some tools, and a couple beers the next time u need a repair.
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by mattspeed
07.10.09 - 2:58 pm
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I don't necessarily feel that way but when I think about what I got last time for the same amount of money, it kinda makes me think. And besides, it was 15 for only adjusting the derailleur mount, not including the chain...
SpringbokSchwinn responding to a
comment by KiMS1
07.10.09 - 3:02 pm
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what shop did u go to?
i mean, think of it this way, it was convenient to take to a shop right?
next time something gets screwy, u know u can either go back to the shop or look up bike tutorials and attempt it urself.
when i first started riding, whenever anything got screwy, i took it to the shop and quietly observed the mechanic fixing whatever it was. and slowly, i knew how to fix my bike myself from watching.
ya feel me?
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by SpringbokSchwinn
07.10.09 - 3:07 pm
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whats a derailleur mount thats what i wanna know
robin swabin07.10.09 - 3:08 pm
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if im correct, i think its just that clamp piece that holds the rear derailleur on to the hanger. i could be wrong though.
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by robin swabin
07.10.09 - 3:13 pm
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It doesn't sound unreasonable to me and it's certainly cheaper than losing your chain in traffic or crashing.
Just because it looks simple and effortless doesn't mean it is. You're paying for skill and expertise and someone's time, not for the wattage they're producing.
cabhauler07.10.09 - 3:17 pm
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i think maybe the work he had done was a straightnening of a derailleur hanger, and 15 bucks is reasonable for that
robin swabin07.10.09 - 3:30 pm
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says the guy who used to work at performance bicycles.
_iJunes responding to a
comment by robin swabin
07.10.09 - 3:44 pm
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I'm with Kims1, burn the fuckin shop down!
User1 responding to a
comment by KiMS1
07.10.09 - 4:44 pm
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It usually turns into a standoff at the local shop I try to buy parts and tools from.
They always start giving this long winded speech about how a DIY will go horrifically wrong.
I simply tell Junior to go back to tweaking the intake manifold on his truck out back.
bentstrider07.10.09 - 5:24 pm
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Your paying for years of experience.
what takes a shop mechanic five minutes may take you all day.
Why should some one work on your bike for less than minimum wage ?
Cheap ass.................
Dedicated81807.10.09 - 5:45 pm
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$15 isn't bad for adjusting something you couldn't do. The tolerances for the front derailleur are pretty tight, though a seasoned wrench can eyeball it.
sc_nomad07.10.09 - 6:02 pm
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"I don't necessarily feel that way but when I think about what I got last time for the same amount of money, it kinda makes me think. And besides, it was 15 for only adjusting the derailleur mount, not including the chain..."
Here's the deal. When you pay a mechanic, you're paying him/her to use skills that he/she has and you lack. Just because it only took him 5 minutes is irrelevant if you can't do it at all.
$15 for adjusting a derailleur is WELL within normal price ranges at LBSs.
You want to learn how to do it yourself and get it done cheap, go to one of the multiple bike co-ops around L.A., you don't have to go to the LBSs if you don't want to.
JB responding to a
comment by sc_nomad
07.10.09 - 6:42 pm
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That 15 bucks will get you how many miles??? Also, if it is a stand-up shop, you are able to bring the bike back to 'em if the whateverthefuckitwas acts up again. Sounds fair. Plus, I agree that skilled mechs can make the most annoying and complicated job look like nothing.
Establishing a relationship with a cool LBS is great (what's up Budget Pro Eagle Rock!!), but diy is priceless.....
Lupine Howl responding to a
comment by JB
07.10.09 - 7:55 pm
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A friend of mine who used to work in a bike shop doing repairs explained it to me this way:
"Yeah, it takes 5 fuckin' minutes - because I've got the tools and have done this repair hundreds of times over the course of many years. Go ahead, spend your career doing bike repairs, and it will take you 5 minutes too. Or just pay the meager amount I'm asking to pay for my food and the utilities for the shop and go out and enjoy your bike."
It sounds like you got a pretty good deal - $8 for a chain a few extra bucks to cover the guy's time and expenses. He has a huge liability w. rent and other expenses, and he's spent a long time learning a special skill that you haven't. If your bike works well afterward, what's wrong with paying him for his service?
On the other hand, burn the shop down. Entropy ftw.
ubrayj0207.17.09 - 12:16 pm
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Simple economics of time.
tivu07.17.09 - 12:20 pm
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In many cases you pay people for what they know, not what they do...
Theres a story about a plumber who fixes a problem by hitting a pipe with his wrench... the bill is huge, the customer asks the plumber to justify the charge... the plumber replies: $20 to show up, $250 to know where to hit the pipe.
Work on your own bike, or pay the fees. I think shops who rip people off, are those that lead customers to believe they x,yz, done to their bike when they dont. Or charge $150 in tune up and repairs, when the bike is worth $60.
Thats why I cant work at a shop nor own a shop... I dont like to rip people off... all shops do it-- sorry Orange 20.
But they have bills to pay.
md207.17.09 - 12:23 pm
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I own a shop, and it is easy to do cheap repairs. I just have to forgo paying myself most weeks, and go home every night with a sinking feeling that I'll never catch up with the debts I've incurred. It's tough.
ubrayj02 responding to a
comment by md2
07.17.09 - 12:30 pm
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it's good to know how to do repairs even if youre not good at doing it. truing wheels is a good example. the last time i tried to true a wheel, it took me about 4 hours and the results were very bad. i took it to fredy at the christian bookstore bike shop. he charged me $15 and had it done in a half hour.
why? because he's really good at what he does. i'll still do minor tweaks when my wheels get a little wobbly, but if i have serious repairs, i'll just take it to a pro. on the other hand, i've seen shops charge people $15 to change a flat on a beach cruiser.
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by md2
07.17.09 - 12:36 pm
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Just to point out... I always found it interesting that Bicycle Kitchen is such a great idea, but potentially harmful for bike shops. Shops make most their money on repairs and little items (lights, locks, water bottles)... not bikes.
When Orange 20 was first being built, I would talk to Jim and ty asking how they expected to survive across the street from a free shop?
Well they did great, and Im happy for them...
What interestingly happened was this: some people just dont want to learn how to work on their bike. And BK started pushing people to buy from O20, thus giving them business... is Orange 20 overpriced? hell yeah... but they get business, and you cant hate them for it... its your money. Initially i thought they would be a specialty bike shop, which they kind of are, but they are pretty much like all shops now... but i think it great they are rider owned/operated (basically)--not a performance type shop, or a grumpy old man shop, or Bikecology for that matter.... there are some horrible bike shops...
Orange 20 is not one of them. If you're gonna put your money in a shop, give it to them... or where they're not asses...
In short... learn about bikes, learn about repairs, start building a tool set, and stop complaining about charges... mail order if you have to, ebay, craigslist, classified. Someone of you are college grads, students...but you cant figure out how to be patient and get your bike right... you want something that looks like a road bike, horz drops, even if the frame for someone 7 feet tall... slow down, build your bike right, and learn how to ride (especially fixed)...
Patience... its hard, but getting your bike right takes time (years... YEARS)... but its worth it. Plus the more you know, the more you can promote the alternative to others...
park tools repair site
sheldon brown (R.I.P)
63xc (promoting the use of your imagination)
its friday... the trails are calling... stuck at work...
md207.17.09 - 12:46 pm
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Yeah those situations suck, its like taking your whip to the paisa shop down the street. They gone to size you up and get what they can. Thats why, well obvioulsly, it's better to do it yourself or at least know what to do, so you can tell them what you need and get a price check before hand, and then you can tell that fool NO MAMES GUEY! and go do that ish yourself.
vampo07.17.09 - 1:30 pm
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15 is cool . cut measure chain. Re install. Re Adjust front and rear deraileur.
Check alignment. if he does all that it is a good price.
simple install 7.50
Larardo07.17.09 - 3:25 pm
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