what's your view on customer call/text in for price on a repair.

[sapphirescales]

@sapphirescales Diagnostics is part of "Labor" billable hours and when someone stops at diagnostics re-labeling the bill as Diagnostics instead of Labor helps those clients know what they paid for if you label it as labor w/o fixing they will question and argue. The people who continue with the fix it is part of the total Labor and doesn't get broken out to keep billing neat and clean. I believe this is how others including myself view this and bill it out there is no lost revenue for us and billing is clean and simple.

I don't know. Whenever I get my car worked on, it's always broken down by:

1. Diagnostics
2. Parts
3. Labor
4. Shop Supplies/Misc.
5. Tax
6. Total

I flat rate almost everything, so I individually label each labor procedure as well as the diagnostic separately. This produces long, detailed receipts and lets my clients know exactly what was done and how much they're being charged for each product and service.

 

[Blues]

I don't flat rate but I do see where flat rate would also have a separate diagnostics line item. Some might just charge higher flat rates with a standard added amount that covers a diagnostics. I do think it boils down to how people are presenting the bill to the clients and why we do it is going to vary but ultimately none of us are providing free work.

 

[GTP]

Beware the ones that want free diagnosis so, armed with the knowledge of the problem, they can then ring around and get quotes to fix it.
Itemising the invoice leads to questions about "why did I need this" etc, which takes up time explaining!
I just invoice for "Diagnostics and Service" or General Maintenance" etc.
I have less problems this way.

 

[Blues]

@Barcelona thats kinda what I was getting at with invoicing just being too wordy maybe

 

[GTP]

@Barcelona thats kinda what I was getting at with invoicing just being too wordy maybe

Sorry, that's the results of "skimming" and not fully reading posts!

 

[augustalan]

If it is a service or product we have a set price for already I have no problem sharing the price with them but I also make sure to tell them the value we offer with things like quality and warranty.

If they call in not knowing anything about their device and give vague answers on the problem then they have to bring it to the store to get more information.

 

[Krynn72]

I just invoice for "Diagnostics and Service" or General Maintenance" etc.
I have less problems this way.

That's even more than I do. I just do a "Service Labor Charge" for everything. Never had anyone mention it in like 7 years.

 

[Diggs]

Not charging for diagnostics is insane. Your time is valuable. We charge a diagnostic fee and it's NOT waived if you proceed with the repair. When I go to get my car repaired, do they waive the $150 diagnostic fee if I decide to get the brakes fixed? Of course not! Why should they spend time and money diagnosing the problem for free?

We live in different worlds...... I can't think of any business in almost any sector that doesn't waive the diagnostic fee if you have the work completed by them around here. There are no diagnostic charges on auto repair bills here whether done by the dealer or "Hank" on the corner gas station. I'm kind of glad I don't have to live in the pre-payed/over-payed world you live in.

@ add - Most auto diagnostics are free around here. They are offered in the hope you'll be a regular future customer. I do some of the same with my business. It's part of small town rural living which I enjoy.

 

[sapphirescales]

We live in different worlds...... I can't think of any business in almost any sector that doesn't waive the diagnostic fee if you have the work completed by them around here. There are no diagnostic charges on auto repair bills here whether done by the dealer or "Hank" on the corner gas station. I'm kind of glad I don't have to live in the pre-payed/over-payed world you live in.

@ add - Most auto diagnostics are free around here. They are offered in the hope you'll be a regular future customer. I do some of the same with my business. It's part of small town rural living which I enjoy.

I've lived in several different states and have never had free diagnostics done on my vehicle. Of course, I've almost always lived in the city and when I lived outside of the city, I'd take my vehicle in for repair in the city. 10 years ago diagnostics ranged from $50 to $75, but nowadays $150 is the new normal. It's standard across the dealerships and smaller shops. But I'm happy to pay the $150 because I get tens of thousands of dollars a year just in diagnostic fees from my business.

 

[Krynn72]

Gotta say, I've never seen a free diagnostic from a mechanic either. Living in New England, Florida, and Louisiana. Though I haven't had to go to a mechanic often while in CT since my dad is here and was a Master Technician at a major dealer here for 40+ years.

 

[drnick5]

If a customer calls, specifically asking "how much do you charge for X" We usually respond that it can vary, and that we offer a free diagnostic to get an estimate for repair. We've all been here before, you give a rough ball park over the phone, they bring in the computer, and its not at all as described. Then when you estimate a higher bill, the customer is upset.

If they really push, I give a WIDE price range. "Our rates start at $79, and go up to $200 depending on the problem. If you drop off the computer for a diagnostic we'll check it out and get back to you with an accurate estimate with no obligation"

I can say in all the years of doing free diagnostics, it isn't all that often where we do the diag, and the estimate is declined. Usually if they bring in something super old that isn't worth fixing, we won't recommend a repair, but instead sell them a new or refurbished computer that we have in stock and migrate their data over.

 

[Porthos]

If a customer calls, specifically asking "how much do you charge for X" We usually respond that it can vary, and that we offer a free diagnostic to get an estimate for repair. We've all been here before, you give a rough ball park over the phone, they bring in the computer, and its not at all as described. Then when you estimate a higher bill, the customer is upset.

Same.

Usually if they bring in something super old that isn't worth fixing, we won't recommend a repair, but instead sell them a new or refurbished computer that we have in stock and migrate their data over.

Get lots of those now a days.

 

[maclaptech]

high chance this customer has been doing his research and wish to minimize his cost.

If you notice Branded computer service center such as Apple,Asus,Acer they don't give price through the phone.
The most, they will let you know the diagnostic charge + any Tax.

let me know what's your view and how you handle it .
cheers

If they are asking for a specific repair, just give them the cost for your repair but tell them it is approximately that much. We always give price for repair before going on-site for repair.

 

[Rosco]

text is fine with me. i have a standard text i will need to diagnosis it myself. and the price of the diagnostic. Most are OK with it. Most like to text for updates and appointments. Some i never talk to on the phone.