• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

What do you consider reasonable parts mark-up from an indy shop?

S

Sluggo

Lifer
Took a vehicle to a local indy shop, and thought the parts mark-up was much beyond reasonable. I would have been more than happy to let them do the work to avoid the hassle, but I really felt like they were gouging on parts. I realize that everyone has overhead to contend with but certainly no need for obnoxious prices.

Parts prices quoted were 4x or 5x rockauto.com prices. 😡
 
The last time I got a parts quote from a shop just for fun, it was $50 vs ~$19 on Amazon (poly steering rack bushings for my Tacoma). Plus the ~$300 in labor they wanted to install that and tie rod ends.

Soooo, I did outer & inner tie rod ends, all four ball joints, and rack bushings for less than their quote. 😛
 
Don't compare against RockAuto.

RockAuto is one of the most competitive in terms of prices. Compare against dealer or autozone to know for sure.

Most good Indys are ok with you getting parts and giving them to install since they know they can't be competitive on parts pricing.
 
Rockauto is basically a wholesaler. If they got the parts through a commercial account at Autozone/Advance/ect, they may have actually paid more. Their discount depends on how much business they do with them, and it's not a set percentage. They may only get 10-20% below list on some stuff, but save 50%+ on other items.

They're probably not on any set pricing scheme as far as their customer markup. If you actually trust the shop (as far as the work is concerned), be straight with them and ask them to give you the parts closer to cost. They still make plenty on labor. If they refuse to give at all, walk.

This is assuming we're talking about significant parts costs, and not, say, a $3 thermostat getting billed for $15 or something. Cheap parts always get padded more.
 
phucheneh said:
This is assuming we're talking about significant parts costs, and not, say, a $3 thermostat getting billed for $15 or something. Cheap parts always get padded more.
Click to expand...

Yep, that is how a lot of retailers make their money, look at USB cables, printer cables, etc. You can get them for less than a dollar on monoprice.com but 90% of B&M stores are going to charge you 10 bucks. So if you're talking about a 5 dollar part, them selling it for $25 doesn't sound too bad to me, but if you're saying a 30+ dollar part is selling for $150+ then I would have an issue with it.
 
The examples from today, these are for the Avalanche in my other thread. Kind of averaging the rockauto cost, there are higher and lower.

Stock air cleaner box and filter:
Rockauto $63.00
Shop $195.00

ECT:
Rockauto $16.00
Shop $65.00

MAF:
Rockauto $120.00
Shop $249

My 4x-5x comparison in the OP was overstated. I had the stock air cleaner box pricing in my head when I posted that, not considering the added cost of the air cleaner itself.
 
Last edited:
About a 100 years ago, I was in the auto parts business and most of the shops I dealt with marked up parts by doubling their cost, that was the generally accepted practice. Typical retail price would be 40% off of list price (In parts catalogs at the time.), so their formula wasn't too far off.
 
I have seen that a few times at shops and I quickly go elsewhere. One shop I used ONCE charged $9.50/sparkplug. No normal shop will require that kind of markup. Sure, that may charge you 25% over list price, but you assume that they are getting it at >10% below and it is a healthy price all around.
 
SarcasticDwarf said:
I have seen that a few times at shops and I quickly go elsewhere. One shop I used ONCE charged $9.50/sparkplug. No normal shop will require that kind of markup. Sure, that may charge you 25% over list price, but you assume that they are getting it at >10% below and it is a healthy price all around.
Click to expand...

...what kinda plug? Iridiums retail for about ten bucks a piece, usually.

Again, you really can't go by a set percentage. Getting charged $50 for $20 worth of ECT and thermostat is not quite the same as getting charged $4000 for an $1800 remanned transmission.
 
satyajitmenon said:
Don't compare against RockAuto.

RockAuto is one of the most competitive in terms of prices. Compare against dealer or autozone to know for sure.

Most good Indys are ok with you getting parts and giving them to install since they know they can't be competitive on parts pricing.
Click to expand...

Maybe for installing a large item like a tranny or engine but the indie near me has a sign that says " you don't go to a restaurant and ask them to cook ham and eggs you brought along do you??"
 
satyajitmenon said:
Don't compare against RockAuto.

RockAuto is one of the most competitive in terms of prices. Compare against dealer or autozone to know for sure.

Most good Indys are ok with you getting parts and giving them to install since they know they can't be competitive on parts pricing.
Click to expand...

Recent experience has taught me that AutoZone can beat RockAuto pricing, especially when shipping is included. This is before their routine 20%+free shipping coupons too.

Most parts markup seems like a racket to me... a local shop my family used to take our vehicles to (before we all moved away) would only charge ~10% markup, even on parts we brought.
 
JCH13 said:
Recent experience has taught me that AutoZone can beat RockAuto pricing, especially when shipping is included. This is before their routine 20%+free shipping coupons too.

Most parts markup seems like a racket to me... a local shop my family used to take our vehicles to (before we all moved away) would only charge ~10% markup, even on parts we brought.
Click to expand...

That's why I've started checking Amazon - after shipping, prices can come really close to RockAuto (and I can get stuff next day).
 
$0. I do it myself or I know a excellent mechanic that works for about $20 hr book time. I take care of the guy with an extra$20 or so usually when I can't do it myself.
 
Friend of mine recently started a bicycle renovation/building shop on the sideline.
His site says he'll charge 10% on parts cost (used or new, cheap or expensive) - as his salary.
So anyone that asks 2x going price for parts, and then charges obscene hourly rates, should better have a quality of craftsmanship, that none of his peers match. Otherwise, someone will probably go out and undercut his pricing, and get a lot more business.
 
jlee said:
That's why I've started checking Amazon - after shipping, prices can come really close to RockAuto (and I can get stuff next day).
Click to expand...

I always cross-shop Amazon, definitely cheaper than RockAuto if you REALLY need the part tomorrow and the part is prime. Still, AutoZone has comparable or better prices, and if you call for a special order they'll have it in 1-2 days usually. Not the best brand selection though.
 
phucheneh said:
...what kinda plug? Iridiums retail for about ten bucks a piece, usually.

Again, you really can't go by a set percentage. Getting charged $50 for $20 worth of ECT and thermostat is not quite the same as getting charged $4000 for an $1800 remanned transmission.
Click to expand...

The plugs were ~$4.
In that case, the shop marked up all prices by 120% over NAPA retail. So yeah, the tune up was a bit ridiculous. I never went back there again, but based on what coworkers said, they used a similar markup for all other work.
 
Sluggo said:
The examples from today, these are for the Avalanche in my other thread. Kind of averaging the rockauto cost, there are higher and lower.

Stock air cleaner box and filter:
Rockauto $63.00
Shop $195.00

ECT:
Rockauto $16.00
Shop $65.00

MAF:
Rockauto $120.00
Shop $249

My 4x-5x comparison in the OP was overstated. I had the stock air cleaner box pricing in my head when I posted that, not considering the added cost of the air cleaner itself.
Click to expand...

Just making sure, but you are comparing parts from the same manufacturer, right? There can be a world of difference between a true OE part and an "OE Quality" part. If the shop is quoting you prices on original, factory parts they're going to be significantly more than the cheapest "compatible" part from a 3rd-party.

For example, the MAP sensor for my Volvo is $113.79 at RockAuto, but the manufacturer is an unknown brand called "Standard Motor Products." The actual BOSCH part that came with the car lists from BOSCH at $269 (it can be found for about $169 in stock).

Generally, a shop is going to use parts from the original manufacturer, like BOSCH, and will write them up at the list price in the BOSCH catalog. Remember, shops don't just keep massive amounts of parts on hand, they have daily deliveries coming from local warehouses, so when you look at the cost of the part they're giving you, remember that the cost also has to cover the expense of the rapid delivery from their distributor too.

Basically, not all parts are the same and an indy shop is most likely going to be using the more expensive parts options from the more reliable brands.

ZV
 
Zenmervolt said:
Just making sure, but you are comparing parts from the same manufacturer, right?
Click to expand...

Shop quoted AC-Delco parts, parts I listed from rockauto are within $5 of AC-Delco cost. The notable exception being the air cleaner box for which rockauto ONLY had a Dorman part.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top