4 ms·
Mechanics don't even charge how long it actually takes. They charge a standard (arguably, over-inflated) amount for a job regardless of the actual time. So it
by unreal37 13y ago
Mechanics don't even charge how long it actually takes. They charge a standard (arguably, over-inflated) amount for a job regardless of the actual time.
So it does take 3 hours to fix your car, and they charge you for 6. Then you care.
- otoburb 13y agoI'm not a mechanic, and know little about cars. However, whenever I've taken cars in for service I find that the shops charge me labour and parts, and they are often clearly itemized on the invoice. The reason that it seems they charge a 'standard' amount for a job is because certain jobs (changing brakes/tires/oil, general checkups, car detailing, etc.) have been enough times across the industry and in the shop that reliable statistical (or consensus) baselines allow one to more easily and reliably estimate. Admittedly, this doesn't fix the original principal-agent problem[1], but I thought I'd throw in my experience with mechanics and getting cars serviced. [1] http://books.google.ca/books?id=4XcR7Y5ddcoC&pg=PA323&lpg=PA323&dq=principal-agent+mechanic&source=bl&ots=FPut69nJL_&sig=madAnluCPf7YjdMeryDxiPfgHz0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8EzJUbrlDsvnigKgkYGIAQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=principal-agent%20mechanic&f=false http://books.google.ca/books?id=4XcR7Y5ddcoC&pg=PA323&lpg=PA...
- rimantas 13y agoAFAIK, service stations even have catalogs (from manufacturers, no less) which specify how much time specific repair will take. Clients are billed according to that, and not the actual amount of time mechanic spent.
- otoburb 13y agoI misinterpreted your statement. You are right -- if an unscrupulous mechanic tried to charge you for more hours of labour than what the catalogs specify, then we'd care and would probably pick up on it a lot faster.