When getting new tires today, the mechanic suggested that I get new belts. I said sure. I knew they were getting bad anyway.

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Wait what? 2 belts are $115? That can't be right. So I checked with NAPA Autozone and Advance and got a total of about $55 for the best belts. So why did I get charged $115? Is there really over 200% markup on these?

Now, understand that I've been taking my cars to Goodyear for years now. Earlier this month, the franchise was sold somebody new and they renamed it All Tire and Auto or some crap. So I call the new store manager and ask him about it. He immediately gets defensive. I asked him who the supplier was because all of the local auto parts stores price the two belts at $55. He says that he got the belts directly from the supplier. I said, No, you got it from Advance or Napa (I saw the truck pull up). I said I just want to know who it was so I can verify that the price I paid was correct. He explained that they markup the price of parts and that this is normal in the industry. Yea, but 200%? Really? 200%? Not to mention that I paid $70 for the labor. So I just paid over $200 bucks for something I could of very easily done by myself for $55.
When I got sick of talking to the manager I asked him to put the mechanic on (who happens to be a good friend). He said he just left for lunch break. Don't worry, I said. I'll just call his cell phone. So I did. Josh apologized and said they do things differently with this new owner. (apparently) Then Josh told me that the new manager who is there isn't the manager for this store. They kept the old manager, Kenny, when the franchise was purchased. I told Josh to have Kenny call me when he gets back from vacation if he'* interested in keeping my business.

What the heck, it'* not like there all that hard to change. Shops seem to double the price on parts, so that would explain the amount.

I'm just trying to figure out if this is normal. I've never been marked up so badly before in my life. Maybe it'* because I'm friends with all of the previous employees and they are big fans of my Turbo Grand Prix build. And now that theres some new pibsqueak in there Im just now being charged the same price as everyone else?

Better to do it yourself. Even I change my oil/belts or get the neighbors kid to do it while I provide the beers, it'* become fleece the customers everywhere as the business strips get more and more for leases. X 2 markup really is the norm for outside sourced parts. I couldn't believe when I worked at a Sears Auto 25 years ago. If we didn't have it and had to call out, it went up double. Back then bigger rotors still went for near or over $100. And I would rather take a customer to the side and tell him to let me order them in the Sears catalog and wait, then to drop a $500 dollar repair ticket on him for whats advertised as $49 plus parts. Even though I made 6% on sales on top of my mechanics pay I couldn't stomach it. Surprising some would actually say, good enough and open their wallet.

Jon,

Very sorry this happened to you, especially at a shop you had trusted.

What you experienced is why I try and do all the service work myself. Business ethics in the USA has changed. Instead of keeping long term customers, it has become exploit and hope they don't catch it. I changed a LIM gasket on a 4.3L two weeks ago that I did not want to undertake. Dealer wanted about $600, but I knew by the time they charged for coolant and told me this hose broke when being removed I would see a bill for 2k. Above that what kind of quality are we getting when going to a repair shop today? The day of seasoned pros at repair shops is ending. I am sure you read the body shop problems posted by another member earlier today.

Guess the lesson learned is we have to do it ourselves....... and trust no one.....

I'm seriously half tempted to call the sister store in Champaign and get a quote for new belts.

I'm also tempted to contact BBB.

Sorry to say that'* about right, figure $50 a hour, if your lucky, plus parts.

Shop rates in NY are $70/hr. and as mentioned double seems to be the norm. Would be interesting to hear what the other shop gives you as a quote.

$50/hour for labor? Where are you going that you get that rate? Around here, its $100/hour at big name places, $85 at mom and pop places.
I'd rather take the money I save by doing it myself and buy more/better tools. Just wish I had a garage to work in!

Read it again, I said if your lucky.