Do all shops buy parts from a dealer?

[HoyaTerp]

Just wondering because my regular tech (who is top-notch) charges me for parts that are very close to prices I see at realoem.com. Today I had an emergency repair at a generic shop close to home and was charged $110 for a $60 part. They order from a local dealer. Maybe they get gouged too and then mark that up?

[Bulk]

If the shop deals with BMW's all the time they'd have their own supplier, if they don't they probably just get the odd part from the dealer. Or they get parts from their own supplier but quote you what the dealer charges to make some more from you.... but people aren't dodgy like that are they

[killcrap]

Example?

Front brake pads 3.0 4.4

34 1 16 761 252 JURID 187
Dealer Retail : $138.41 Average joe cost. +tax
Dealer Whole Sale: $110.73 - 103.81 usually 20-25% off Retail List no tax
Dealer Cost: $74.74 Cost the dealer pays to purchase no tax
Employee Cost: $82.21 Cost +10%, and dont forget to add local sales tax if applicable, some dealers will not sell +10% to employees at all!!
ECS Tuning: $104.66 + shipping cost + ohio sales tax if applicable
WORLDPAC: $63.15 Cost to independant shops that use WORLDPAC, no tax, no freight

[motordavid]

Good stats from killcrap...
Fwiw, my Indie in Asheville, a very good shop that is always packed with BMWs, PCars and a few MBs, has really ratcheted up their parts pricing, imo.
Still a touch under dlr list, and their labor is slightly less, but it is not the bargain it was a few years ago.

They are meticulous and thorough, and don't up sell, and I have a very good comfort zone with them, but they ain't cheap or much cheaper, anymore .
Fortunately, our '01 X has needed very few repairs beyond maintenance items, knock on wood.
GL, mD

[TriX5]

In 2007 an independent BMW shop in Bethesda quoted $100 more to replace both CV boots than the dealer in Suitland..... Decided to learn how to do them myself :-)

Recently asked them to press two tension strut bushings. 20 minute job, same shop quoted $200.....WTF is that all about? Needless to say, they're not getting my business.

[Bulk]

Originally Posted by TriX5

Recently asked them to press two tension strut bushings. 20 minute job, same shop quoted $200.....WTF is that all about? Needless to say, they're not getting my business.

A good enough press wouldn't cost you that

[bastereo]

Umm, do you mean a cheap press?
An actual good press is much more than $200
Oh, I just reread that, yes a good enough press for less than $200 for sure.

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

[bastereo]

I think these guys may be trying to price you out. Meaning they don't want you as a customer or feel that you have wasted enough of their time.
Or they do not do bench work.

Originally Posted by TriX5

In 2007 an independent BMW shop in Bethesda quoted $100 more to replace both CV boots than the dealer in Suitland..... Decided to learn how to do them myself :-)

Recently asked them to press two tension strut bushings. 20 minute job, same shop quoted $200.....WTF is that all about? Needless to say, they're not getting my business.

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

[JCL]

Good info from killcrap

I always gave customers a choice of OE from the dealer, or jobber parts, if I could get either and both were good quality, in an independent shop. I also provided my recommendation most of the time

With most brands we had accounts with dealers and bought at around 25% off, selling at dealer list. Employees bought from us at cost.

Some brands were difficult to deal with (not BMW) and sometimes if we were stuck we bought at retail from their dealer and sold at a reasonable markup over that. We told customers up front if that was the case. They typically liked our labour rates and quality if they wanted to go ahead.

And if customers brought in their own parts we nearly always turned them away.

[TriX5]

Not very clever from them. I went to another shop and they had no problem doing it for me at a reasonable rate. (BTW, the tension struts were off the car) That shop now has my patronage when I need fuel (of which the 4.8 seems to consume generous amounts :-)

I think in my zip code the independents are a rip off anyway.

When I did the same on my 4.8 i also wanted to swap the front wheel bearings and decided to get the 20 ton Harbor Freight press which ran me $200. So essentially the press paid for itself in one job.