mates rates car work..

Matt82

Matt82

Matt82

Soldato
Joined
13 Mar 2004
Posts
16,649
who else here does bits and pieces on other people's cars at "mates rates"?

i cut it right back quite a while ago. im too nice and cant help helping people and 99% of the time i can hardly bring myself to charge anyone

i used to have a policy of "get a quote, something reasonable and ill do it for half of that"

for something like servicing, id just round it up to the next whatever, but then half the time can you really justify carting your tools n things about

i hate being friendly!
 
I haven't really got mates who are handy with spanners and can do me "mates rates".

My mum works for Morris Lubricants so i can get them a very good deal on oils etc though.

Boot would have to be on my foot :(
 
I really hate not being able to get mates rates or even mates that know a bit about cars! Everyone online seems to 'know' mates who are mechanics, plumbers, electricians and so on. All my mates are IT bods or bankers. Wrong generation I guess :(.
 
I don't think I've ever done a complete job for somebody else, I've helped do jobs but never really worked on someone else's car for them.
 
My brother did 2 years of mechanics courses then changed his job! (Recession hit as he finished college!)

As long as he gets his dinner, then he is happy :D.
 
have done diff swaps, clutches, engine swaps, engine rebuilds, wiring, alarm installs, radio installs etc on mates cars - normally with them helping too. I've not charged them as I expect help from them if I need. Only time i've 'charged' was with the engine swap, we needed the timing tools for that engine - so the mate who owned the car bought them and I kept them (he doesn't work on cars)
 
I don't charge either unless it costs me money to do stuff or uses my fluids (oi oi!), or causes significant wear to any of my tools.

Only stuff I really charge for is for porter cabling - sorry - machine polishing.
 
Its like giving away your last Rolo, if you are going to moan about it after, dont do it :)
 
With good mates/family members and something I can do within an hour or so i.e brakes, wishbones, track rod end, general service etc then I won't charge them. Usually get plenty of beer my way so its all good.

With jobs on my cars that I can't be bothered to do or require specialist tooling my mate who works at a garage charges me and our mates very nice prices. For example one mate got a clutch done for £50 and he did a full cambelt kit inc water pump and coolant flush for £60. Also charges me nothing to fit and balance tyres and I get all parts at trade :)
 
Gaijin said:
I don't charge either unless it costs me money to do stuff or uses my fluids (oi oi!), or causes significant wear to any of my tools.

Only stuff I really charge for is for porter cabling - sorry - machine polishing.
Click to expand...

im clearly the worst. i can remember loads of times where work has needed my resources of fluids too

it must be that there is a complete lack of businessman in me and ill have to set prices before anything starts in the future haha
 
I am about to change some belts on my car for the first time, so I am very much a car nub compare to you guys.

However, I would not do it for free for some people, it depends if they are the kind of friend who would help me with something when I need it.
I will always bare in mind that a crap indy will be charging at LEAST £45+VAT per hour though! Even if I take twice as long at half the price, that is still £10 per hour.
 
What I personally don't understand are the "mate's rates"/discounted prices us in the motor trade get.

Seriously, I got 15% of some BMW parts I ordered and 10% off the Lexus Parts I ordered just because I turned up in my Jack Barclay work gear. Same thing with Halfords, the Trade card gets you an absoultely retarded amount of discount. The oil I purchased on Tuesday was 30% less with my Trade Card! It's saved me hundreds of pounds over the last few years and I don't even visit Halfords that often. I seriously shudder at the though of "civilians" paying full price!

I'm obviously not complaining, but I can't help but wonder why.
 
I've only ever done a few bits, don't really expect anything in return. Usually get a few beers, which I'm happy with.

I normally get them to come to me as well, I have a large undercover garage, so its much better this way.
 
Denso Spark Plug
Part Number: 408775810
£2.80
(Priced Per Plug)
X3

Air Filter
Part Number: 50282004J
£6.29

Oil Filter
Part Number: 50182001J
£2.06
In Stock

Carlube Triple R 5W30 Semi Synthetic Engine Oil (5 Litre)
Part Number: 521771071
£17.99

and then round it up to £50. i think thats reasonable. i think shell be laying on dinner too :P
Comes to a total of £34.74 (inc. vat)
 
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