Car dealers unhappy with proposed Alberta repair legislation

[master_shake_]

http://edmontonjournal.com/business...appy-with-proposed-alberta-repair-legislation

on one hand i agree with the warranties

we warranty 90 days on labour.

i do not agree with the only getting paid for repairs and not diagnosis.

He’s concerned with several parts of the bill, including a section that prevents shops from charging for estimates if customers agree to have work done.
Sometimes staff must search for hours to find the source of a problem which only takes a few minutes to fix, but the shop would only be reimbursed for the actual repair time, says Ducharme, whose association represents more than 90 per cent of the province’s franchised new vehicle and heavy truck dealerships.

that's basically what this says.


you can't estimate time you need until you find the problem and it could be something simple like a broken wire or bad computer.


that's bologna.

 

[leper84]

The not performing work without consent part is okay, I've thankfully never worked in a shop where that wasn't s.o.p. already.

The making it law not to charge for diagnostics is bullcrap. A diag is work, its a service. How is less work being done if the customer buys the repair? This jackhat wants to legislate away peoples right to be paid for doing work? Good luck finding a good diagnostician in Alberta if it passes.

 

[Jimzz]

The not performing work without consent part is okay, I've thankfully never worked in a shop where that wasn't s.o.p. already.

The making it law not to charge for diagnostics is bullcrap. A diag is work, its a service. How is less work being done if the customer buys the repair? This jackhat wants to legislate away peoples right to be paid for doing work? Good luck finding a good diagnostician in Alberta if it passes.

Most states its actually law so that may be why.

But I agree diagnostics, esp in newer cars, can take forever and be just a simple bad wire.

 

[bruceb]

Diagnostic fees are a way of life. I do not mind if they are reasonable and if most of the diagnosis is credited toward the total repair bill, if you decide they should fix it.

 

[Midwayman]

So taking in your car for a free diagnosis so you can DIY the repairs will now be a thing?

 

[master_shake_]

So taking in your car for a free diagnosis so you can DIY the repairs will now be a thing?

seems like.

 

[Jimzz]

So taking in your car for a free diagnosis so you can DIY the repairs will now be a thing?

I'm guessing a way around this could be...

RepairShop: We looked at your car its going to be $1000 to fix it.
Customer: Oh that's a lot, what's the problem.
RS: Sorry we can't say until the repair is done.
C: But... but...
RS: Sorry the law makes us do this. (has sign saying read law XYZ for reason for estimates given with no information attached)

 

[Subyman]

I'm guessing a way around this could be...

RepairShop: We looked at your car its going to be $1000 to fix it.
Customer: Oh that's a lot, what's the problem.
RS: Sorry we can't say until the repair is done.
C: But... but...
RS: Sorry the law makes us do this. (has sign saying read law XYZ for reason for estimates given with no information attached)

Not going to happen. Repairs have standard times, called "book times." They'd have a hard time charge more time than the book time.

The diagnosis part is really dumb. Water in the oil can mean a complete disassembly of the engine to see what the issue is and that wouldn't be reimbursed. I think you'd find that mechanics wouldn't even look at things that could take a lot time to diagnose.

 

[master_shake_]

book time is merely a suggestion.

when you are working on cars that haven't been maintained and everything is caked in rust and bolts start breaking that book time is not relevant.

but somehow albertas gonna legislate car repair.

good luck.