1993 Caravan OH console on a '92...?

On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:49:41 -0400, Bill Putney wrote:

> Hachiroku ãƒ�ãƒ�ãƒ*ク wrote:
>
>> ...The only problem I have with Alldata is the way it is used. I brought
>> a car to a place for a timing belt and a water pump. The belt drives the
>> water pump, so when you remove the belt, the pump is right there, right?
>>
>> OK, so then "Flat Rate" comes into play: They have to remove the covers,
>> idlers, etc to get the belt out. The water pump is three more bolts. The
>> were going to charge me the price, according to Alldata's "Flat Rate" to
>> change the timing belt, and THEN charge me Alldata's "Flat rate" to
>> remove the water pump, which means charging me for the removal and
>> reinsatllation of the timing belt ALL OVER AGAIN!!! Pay for labor you're
>> doing once, twice? No thanks.
>
> You can't blame Alldata for that. That's the individual shop's policy to
> strictly observe flat rate contrary to common sense and ethics. Otherwise,
> on a given procedure, alldata would have to come up with a list of all
> permutations of job combinations. There has to be some place for the
> shop's discretion and common sense in adjusting things accordingly. Those
> that use flat rate as an excuse to commit fraud (possibly not legal fraud,
> but certainly ethical fraud) are ones that I would choose not to do
> business with.


And I don't! I took it to an hourly shop that charged me $180, including
the belt and the pump!

Problem with that is, if they run itno a problem you pay the hourly rate.
The best ones are the ones that do the flat rate for the one most
expensive job. If it runs over, it's on them. If it goes stunningly well,
they make out.