so, on a LOTUS ELISE:
$20.00 to set toe only
$59.00 for full alignment, shims, and all..
Questions:
How do you stay in business?
We know the cost of a Hunter alignment machine....
What model do you have?
Cost of labor? What are you paying your guys an hour?
just curious?
S
That shop has been in business 20+ yrs....Don't buy the newest machine out...they aren't any more accurate than one that's a few years old. He usually bought his machines off the Hunter rep took them out of a shop that closed down and checked them over. I assume he still does the same. I can't remember the model of his current machine, but it is one of the ones that has no electronics on the wheels (uses the red blinking light...IIRC) I drive past there every so often.
I don't work there anymore. I'm a nurse now.
Its a small shop, think three employees including the owner. He has little overhead, as everything is paid off. He is suspension and brakes only....and keeps every bay full all the time.
I'm not certain on the current prices, but that is the case to the best of my knowledge. I worked there about 7yrs ago...his prices have gone up...but not to the 150.00 price the bigger city guys are experiencing.
The part I find comical is you guys think the Lotus is difficult to align. Its an alignment tech's dream car...very simple alignment...
Just because it says "LOTUS" on the back does not mean you should pay a premium for every service done to it. (oil changes shouldn't cost 250.00, alignments shouldn't cost 150.00)
You get what you pay for.
apparently not. He's the most respected suspension mechanic here. many other shops around town take cars to him for front end work, and No one has ever had a complaint with his work. Your statement is incredibly arrogant, and you are out of place saying such a thing in reference to this shop. Sorry, but I take offense to that.
Edit: my conclusion....
Basically it comes down to different markets will bear different prices. Austin, Houston will most definitely bear a larger price than Midland (city of 100,000). Land is cheaper, buildings are cheaper, labor, living expenses, etc are all cheaper. So I suppose I was incorrect to say you are being raped @ 150.00 for an alignment...So I appologize for that. But you Do NOT have to pay 150.00 for a quality alignment.