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When I assume....

#1

PTmowerMech

PTmowerMech

Rich guy brings in a 10 year old Troybilt Bronco and said his deck belt keeps coming off. First rattle out of the box, it wouldn't go. So a quick check of the drive belt and it was shot and loosey goosey. So he said "no problem, replace that too. And anything else it might need." So I did.
Three belts, three idlers, blades, oil change w/ filter, valve cover gasket and carburetor work. I checked my parts and found I needed a few parts. Plus some would leave me without, so I made my order. (rushing to get it in by 1pm. Made it at 12.58)
Then called the customer and told him the total for everything I listed would be about $400 to $425.
Keep in mind. I already have the deck off, the belts off.. Anywho, customer says, "Well I don't want to put that much into it."

Wait WHAT!!!!!! He came and got it. Paid me my normal $30 diagnostic fee. and left.

It took the wind right out of my sail for the rest of the day.


OK, Rant is over. Carry on.


#2

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

I always call a customer before ordering parts if is going to be over $100 for the job. I have a few customers with JD machines that say fix whatever it needs and do not question the bill but all others get a phone call or text. Yeah you can hit $400 parts and labor quicker than most folks think. Funny how the ones driving the brand new pickup truck are the ones with the 20 year old crapsman saying "don't want to put much in it"


#3

R

Rivets

I always ask, “If it will cost more than $XYZ.OO do you want me to call you first”. That way we both know if the job will done or not. Then 99% of my customers are never surprised when they pick up their units. Even at that I also call if I feel the repair will cost more than the value of the unit.


#4

K

keakar

PTmowerMech said:
Rich guy brings in a 10 year old Troybilt Bronco and said his deck belt keeps coming off. First rattle out of the box, it wouldn't go. So a quick check of the drive belt and it was shot and loosey goosey. So he said "no problem, replace that too. And anything else it might need." So I did.
Three belts, three idlers, blades, oil change w/ filter, valve cover gasket and carburetor work. I checked my parts and found I needed a few parts. Plus some would leave me without, so I made my order. (rushing to get it in by 1pm. Made it at 12.58)
Then called the customer and told him the total for everything I listed would be about $400 to $425.
Keep in mind. I already have the deck off, the belts off.. Anywho, customer says, "Well I don't want to put that much into it."

Wait WHAT!!!!!! He came and got it. Paid me my normal $30 diagnostic fee. and left.

It took the wind right out of my sail for the rest of the day.


OK, Rant is over. Carry on.
Click to expand...
thats 100% on you, as mentioned by others, when parts get over $100 you confirm with owner and get authorization no matter if they said "do whatever it needs" because in almost every case, in their mind, saying that meant dont go over $100 on parts


#5

PTmowerMech

PTmowerMech

keakar said:
thats 100% on you, as mentioned by others, when parts get over $100 you confirm with owner and get authorization no matter if they said "do whatever it needs" because in almost every case, in their mind, saying that meant dont go over $100 on parts
Click to expand...

You see, I knew that. And am usually 100% strict on doing that very thing. But this customer has never bawked on anything. But then again, he's never brought me anything that needed so much.

THE only good thing about it is the mower these parts are for, is an extreme popular one. And will probably have them gone before the month is out. At which time, I'll be glad to have them.
But as of now, I'm kicking myself for not getting the parts money up front.


#6

BriggsMST

BriggsMST

This is exactly why I don't work on cheap trimmers. Its hard to hand someone a bill for $70 when its an $80 trimmer. Not to mention its hard to make money on trimmers to begin with.


#7

PTmowerMech

PTmowerMech

BriggsMST said:
This is exactly why I don't work on cheap trimmers. Its hard to hand someone a bill for $70 when its an $80 trimmer. Not to mention its hard to make money on trimmers to begin with.
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You ain't kidding. Starting this past Monday, I stopped working on Poulan, Craftsman and murray type trimmers.


#8

BriggsMST

BriggsMST

The better straight shaft name brand equipment you have a chance to make a couple bucks. I started too fizzle out the cheap brands myself, might end up shooting myself in the foot in the long run, but ill lock the doors and go home fir the day before i work for free. Those days are long gone too.


#9

ILENGINE

ILENGINE

BriggsMST said:
This is exactly why I don't work on cheap trimmers. Its hard to hand someone a bill for $70 when its an $80 trimmer. Not to mention its hard to make money on trimmers to begin with.
Click to expand...
PTmowerMech said:
You ain't kidding. Starting this past Monday, I stopped working on Poulan, Craftsman and murray type trimmers.
Click to expand...
I have a saying that goes, " How much time can you spend on a $100 trimmer at $70/hr". Add in some of the new Murray push mowers that you only option for service is to contact parts at somechinesecompany dot com. Thank you Briggs for outsourcing your products that have no dealer support. Can't even get a replacement blade without also replacing the blade adapter from a different mower.

I have a almost brand new Jonsered chainsaw in the shop that has a damaged fuel tank and the price of the tank is more than the retail of the saw.


#10

PTmowerMech

PTmowerMech

ILENGINE said:
I have a almost brand new Jonsered chainsaw in the shop that has a damaged fuel tank and the price of the tank is more than the retail of the saw.
Click to expand...

This is one good reason to have a bone yard.


#11

BriggsMST

BriggsMST

I personally dont, but theres one very close and have had to resort to it a few times.


#12

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

PTmowerMech said:
This is one good reason to have a bone yard.
Click to expand...
If you got Jred saws in your boneyard let me know. Got a cust needs a P&C for a 70E. Cheap of course.
As much as some folks want to hate on the creamsicle saws (stihl) there are lots of aftermarket stuff available for older saws. Not so much for Husqvarna, Dolmar, Shindawa, Echo, Johnsered, Makita, Davis Bradley, McCulloch. I see a lot of older saws and some i just can't fix because of parts and Ebay to the rescue sometimes but not a reliable source and some prices are crazy.


#13

BriggsMST

BriggsMST

I deal quite a bit with www.hlsproparts.com, not sure if you heard of them or not I would imagine you have.
Prices are great and they have a wide selection of OEM and aftermarket parts, from cranks to shut off switches. They are in Daytona Beach Florida. When you get on their site its called HLSupply, give it a shot, nothing to lose but time on the stupid computer. Might be worth it.


#14

BriggsMST

BriggsMST

I have very little parts for those saws. Id have to look to make sure. P & Cyl is a long shot. send over a model #. Is cyl nikasil or not sure


#15

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

Model # is 70E. Not sure if nikasil or chrome. Cust saw at 90psi compression. Saw runs amazingly good for the low compression. Manual says should be about 140psi. Saw that size ahould have more power than his does so if he can find a better P&C he would be happy. HL supply has been a go to for me for years. Built a couple of the chineese creamsicle kit saws from them. A 660 and a 361.


#16

BriggsMST

BriggsMST

I figured you knew about them. I just thought about it that very second, it dont happen often so i had to tell you when it was fresh in my mind.


#17

BriggsMST

BriggsMST

I will have my buddy look this afternoon, Like I said that might be a long shot. Put a set of rings in it and call it good. Whats the specs on the compression for that, christ 140 isnt bad, not by my standards anyway


#18

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

Book says 140 his is at 90. Here is my china 660.
1601676986229.jpg


#19

BriggsMST

BriggsMST

I just ran over my buddy's he dont have anything but a few empty crank cases for a jred. Sorry dude. Where you located at anyway.


#20

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

Southwest ohio


#21

BriggsMST

BriggsMST

LOL and im in the northeast part of PA, you may have read my profile. Sorry I did'nt read yours.


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