The biggest problem for me is the discount on line parts suppliers who often list prices retail cheaper than my wholesale cost
The popular perception by new customers is we are all idiots and rip off merchants made worse by the dealers who over quote to convince customers to buy a new mower .
I used to be able to add a 100% prats mark up on aftermarket parts and still be cheaper than genuine parts
As I price match, that is now down to 30% and that hurts
Any job that requires parts to be bought in from a dealer gets a flat $ 15 courier fee
I do not charge for pick up or delivery as it allows me to check out the owner & their house
Big house, big yard , expensive car = big bill as I am not above charging for nuts, bolts, washers ,service petrol , greases & cleaning time as line items
I have added up to 2 hours of "diagnosis time" when given a mower for service that had been booked in for a 200hr scheduled service and was told "there is nothing wrong with it so just lube & change fluids "
And I have returned mowers, serviced with blown engines that were picked up for a "service" from owners trying to stiff me for a new engine