op z

Do most dealers charge the "book rate" for performing a service or actual time spent? I checked with a local dealer for doing a DCT flush as I planned on doing the filter and fluid change myself. He said this is a 1 hour task and the cost would be $185. He agreed that the actual task takes 15 minutes or less, but that they charge per the book rate.
I may have them change the filter as well if the book rate for flush and filter replacement is the same 1 hour. Does anyone know what their dealer charged GM for a flush and filter replacement? Thanks in advance.

Kracka

Book rate is standard practice industry-wide.

2wsxcde3

Had mine done last month 7500 mile filter change and flush in Florida, with tax $1056.

Bob Paris

[QUOTE=op z;1607738949]Do most dealers charge the "book rate" for performing a service or actual time spent? /QUOTE]

Figure out what is most advantageous for the dealer and that is your answer. Good life lesson...

80sRule

Book time is standard. Sometimes they can do really well and learn speed tricks, sometimes you fight a rusty bolt for way too long. It is what it is.

gdb069

I think you better get specific about what service because here thats about the cost of an oil change not including the oil!

Bob Paris

I am sure that they do much better than "sometimes they do really well." Maybe someone with experience will chime in and let us know how many "book" hours a mechanic can bill in a shift. Wouldn't be surprised if it is two to three times the actual hours worked.

Avanti

Him consistently beating flat-rate was how my father said we all survived.

Kracka

Yup! It's why the experienced/good mechanics succeed!

JALLEN4

When one says "book time", you must keep in mind there are different books. There is the Factory Labor Guide and then there are multiple books for customer pay work such as Motors and Chilton. Warranty work done by the dealer is only paid by the factory book and can be difficult to "beat" by the tech unless he has experience doing that particular operation. In some particular cases the dealership can ask for other labor hours when they encounter a problem not generally found.

Most customer pay work is going to be done with a commercially available labor guide and is roughly 30-40% higher than factory time. Part of the reasoning for that is you are usually working on a more used vehicle and more likely to run into dirt, rusted bolts, etc. Some competitive maintenance items are priced off book and based on an attempt to attract that work in a competitive market. Brake specials would be a good example of an often advertised special.

A techs ability to "beat flat rate" is often dependent on several items. The type of work he specializes in, the quality and variety of his tools, the support staff producing parts and moving cars, and how often he finds himself doing the same operation. Another factor is how familiar he is with the "book" and how good he is with a pencil! I have had excellent techs who did mainly warranty work and struggled to turn 100%. I have also had techs who specialized in certain areas with a lot of customer pay work and were often able to turn a legitimate 175-200%

The good tech making a lot of money for their job has a lot of training, a large investment in their tool box, a lot of experience, and are hard workers who send their time on the job...not talking to other techs and customers. They are to be admired when they have a talent!

Ystayhm

Folks sometimes confuse the flush with the "flush" when talking about the DCT hence the charge mentioned at over &1k

when the DCT filter is changes the computer program used.by the dealer "flushes" the solenoids to remove particulates given off by the DCT prior to changing the DCT filter which requires about .5 quarts of fluid. Charge for filter, fluid and labor $280-$350

The other FLUSH is referring to the replacement of all the transmission fluid. Book is 3.5 hours and cost usually is in the $1k to $1.4K range

Red Mist Rulz

Many, if not most, dealers charge FAR more than that. Criswell charged me a flat rate of $600 LABOR to change the filter and do the hydraulic flush. That didn't include the filter.

gliot1

That is also the reason for book rate, so the customer or GM doesn't get overcharged due to a novice or crappy mechanic taking longer to repair. That also works in dealer favor to encourage good mechanics who get work done quicker and/or can even double dip. The dealer I used back home paid mechanics on commision encouraging them to work quickly and efficiently and make more $$$ by doing repairs under book time while billing book rate.

Omar01

Book time is standard

449er

You gotta hustle in the car fix it market

JALLEN4

While somewhat true, the manufacturer established a standard time or book time so as to control warranty expense. The only variable then becomes the actual rate that is going to be established for a particular dealer. The largest conflict in a Service Department is most often flat rate, especially on warranty time. The tech always complains he should have more time and often states quality suffers because of the lack of time on many jobs.

Vetteman Jack

Very good explanation by JALLEN4 in post #10 above. And yes, charging by book rate is common, but at times that may be adjusted depending on the circumstances of the work.

80sRule

I work on cars all the time and have friends who work at shops. Book time is hit and miss. Especially warranty work; which is always a WAY too low number, so that gets averaged in to be actually decent. Book rate incentivizes skill and working efficiently, quickly and hard. Otherwise, you pay by the hour, you might even see an electrician with a broom.

Andybump

That is essentially the right idea, although there is no such thing as the other "flush" for the C8 transmmission. There is no flush procedure. It just called "Transmission Fluid Fill Procedure" but it includes the drain step. There is another procedure that involve removing and cleaning the pan and replacing internal filter - but even that is not called a flush. It is called "Automatic Transmission Fluid, Fluid Pan and/or Filter Replacement." When the car was introduced, there was a techlink https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...y&p=1607742120 to introduce the new features to tech. It specifically says "There is not a required fluid flush procedure and the transmission should not be flushed..

Skid Row Joe

I wouldn't want any shop without an experienced and GM trained mechanic working on my Corvette at a shop. Chevrolet dealers is where you're likely going to find C8 experienced mechanics.