[Morpheus]

Is this the normal way business is done? My water pump is on its way out so I got the kit from tischer including the thermostat planning on doing it myself, but finding the time has been a problem and I'm going on a week now so I called up an indie shop. They won't install parts because they can't warranty them? Don't genuine BMW parts carry a warranty from BMW? I doubt they were going to warranty the labor anyway. More like we can't make more money off you if you don't buy the parts from us.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Nice gesture on their part, but a true Indy shop would install a log of shit onto my tailpipe, so long as I paid.

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Nice gesture on their part, but a true Indy shop would install a log of shit onto my tailpipe, so long as I paid.

That's what I thought

[PDX-335i]

Most good indie shops do warranty their parts and labor if they supply the parts and will do the work for free if something goes wrong. That's where it gets messy if you bring in your own parts. Its not that they don't make money, it's a liability issue for them to install owner parts.

I have been successful in the past doing this but I've had to suggest that it comes with no warranty and I'm willing to sign to this on the receipt. I agree not to hold them responsible if something goes wrong.

[supergoat]

I've ran into this many times. Pretty normal.

[BashShah]

Go to another shop.

[techwhiz]

Originally Posted by DarkNemesis

Go to another shop.

This.

Get a relationship with an indie.
My indie will install whatever I bring in, with the understanding that once it's in, I own it.

[batman_e92]

They also worry about you ordering the wrong part and blaming them for issues later or it won't fit and you car ties up a bay till you guys sort it out .

[Aashenfox]

This is what you get for living in a litigation state.

The "sue me" culture bites back.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Aashenfox

This is what you get for living in a litigation state.

The "sue me" culture bites back.

wat?

[Aashenfox]

People won't take on jobs because they're afraid of litigation in case something goes wrong. Just saying that's not a problem over here, for example, or in the UK. It's the sue me culture in the US, and this isn't the only example of how it hurts, these people feel they need to protect themselves from frivolous lawsuits, and they're probably right.

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by techwhiz

This.

Get a relationship with an indie.
My indie will install whatever I bring in, with the understanding that once it's in, I own it.

This would be great. I have tried to do exactly that-I had this guy service the car and do a walnut blasting for me. He asked, "Do you really think all these parts you've put on the car actually make any difference?"

I also think the fact that its just a 3 series is an issue. My friend with a 911 turbo s gets great service from this guy.

Unfortunately I'm in a small town with limited options. We don't have an indie on every corner. I think there may be one more place I can try. If I needed an exhaust or something put on I could drive to a bigger market like Dallas but with the water pump being toast...

[Bob Shiftright]

Originally Posted by DarkNemesis

Go to another shop.

+2.

The problem is that they can't mark up the parts price if you provide your own parts.

Some shops will charge more for labor if I provide my own parts. I'm fine with this.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Aashenfox

People won't take on jobs because they're afraid of litigation in case something goes wrong. Just saying that's not a problem over here, for example, or in the UK. It's the sue me culture in the US, and this isn't the only example of how it hurts, these people feel they need to protect themselves from frivolous lawsuits, and they're probably right.

wtf are you on about lol?

This is good business sense - with cars or coffee makers or software. If I am going to warranty something, I want to control the variables. Pretty simple stuff.

[robthewrench]

This is pretty normal. I think it is more unusual to find an indie that will use your parts. Here's why:

- All shops normally offer a 12 month 12k mile warranty on their work. If you supply the parts they can't control the source, warranty, quality of the part. No warranty from the shop if you supply the parts. And to answer your question, no genuine BMW parts do not carry a warranty for the shop. They carry a warranty for the person who bought them (you). The shop could not call BMW and have them replace the part for the shop if it was found to be bad.

- The markup on the parts is one of the ways the indie shop makes money. The markup cost also covers their own labor costs if they have to redo the job under warranty.

- The part may not be the right one. Time is money in the shop. If you car is on the lift and they can't finish the job because they have the wrong part, it is more time and more labor, and space for them to move your car to the side while you figure out what to do about the incorrect part.

- An indie may be willing to use your parts if they are common and easily replaceable. For example on an oil change. You supply the synthetic oil. If you don' supply enough or whatever, getting more oil is pretty easy. A head gasket? Not the same at all.

The solution: Negotiate with the shop on the source and cost of the part. I have complained to my indie about a high priced part and what I could pay for it. He has lowered the markup to get closer to my price.

Remember the shop is in business to make money. This is not your buddy who will do the work for just beer. A good independent shop makes money and wants to keep customers over the long haul. They make more money on some jobs and take a bath on others.

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by robthewrench

This is pretty normal. I think it is more unusual to find an indie that will use your parts. Here's why:

- All shops normally offer a 12 month 12k mile warranty on their work. If you supply the parts they can't control the source, warranty, quality of the part. No warranty from the shop if you supply the parts.

- The markup on the parts is one of the ways the indie shop makes money. The markup cost also covers their own labor costs if they have to redo the job under warranty.

- The part may not be the right one. Time is money in the shop. If you car is on the lift and they can't finish the job because they have the wrong part, it is more time and more labor, and space for them to move your car to the side while you figure out what to do about the incorrect part.

- An indie may be willing to use your parts if they are common and easily replaceable. For example on an oil change. You supply the synthetic oil. If you don' supply enough or whatever, getting more oil is pretty easy. A head gasket? Not the same at all.

The solution: Negotiate with the shop on the source and cost of the part. I have complained to my indie about a high priced part and what I could pay for it. He has lowered the markup to get closer to my price.

I hear you but this a genuine BMW part from tischer. If this guy is going to get the same part he pays a markup from BMW and then he marks it up again to sell it to me. I'll just tackle this job myself.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Do you bring your steak to the restaurant?

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Do you bring your steak to the restaurant?

I do not but if I buy a steak from vrf or hpf or burger tuning and I do not have a grill then what can you do?

[Aashenfox]

Originally Posted by NGEE

wtf are you on about lol?

This is good business sense - with cars or coffee makers or software. If I am going to warranty something, I want to control the variables. Pretty simple stuff.

Open your mind, try to see the picture from someone else's point of view. Here in Europe any indy will take parts off you and fit them and warranty their labour within the limits of reason, but not the parts at all, and that is what the customer expects. Durrrr.

Saying that Indies don't do this so that there can be no confusion about responsibility is a function of the litigation culture. To a european its FUCKING OBVIOUS who has responsiblity, there is no risk to the indy who does this, he does not have to worry about getting sued because nobody over here has the automatic reaction of suing someone if they don't get what they want. Get it now?

[monkeybingo]

don't waste your time. Obviously they want to make some extra from the part. Please let us know which shop so we can avoid upfront

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by Morpheus

I do not but if I buy a steak from vrf or hpf or burger tuning and I do not have a grill then what can you do?

You go to the restaurant and they cook you a steak that you buy from them, or you buy a grill to cook it.

Shops don't make much money on labor. Labor keeps the shop running. Parts are where they actually turn a profit.

[LaserPower]

Originally Posted by Morpheus

I do not but if I buy a steak from vrf or hpf or burger tuning and I do not have a grill then what can you do?

Buy a grill yourself, find someone who is kind enough to lend you one or cook it for you, or eat something else. Many options but bitching about someone who does not want to cook the steak you brought for you for any reason is not one of the options.