question for a tech about part pricing

[someguy000001]

I just had the upper ball joints done on my '97 blazer. The bill lists the 2 ball joints (moog k5320) cost $190, but anywhere i look online they are far, far cheaper (like 60-90 bucks for the pair). I know online stores will always be cheaper, but jeez. Does it cost auto shops extra to have the parts delivered or something, or did i just get reamed? Everything else about the place was great. They didn't try and do any unnecessary repairs, and they really did the ones they said. It's just that part price isn't sitting well with me.

thanks for any enlightenment you can provide

[wehswarriorS-10]

did u just get the ball joints or the ball joint and the whole upper control arm....sometimes they come as 1 piece at least thats how my dads durango is.....just a thought

[Macgyver007]

Actually the 97 does not come with the complete control arms, Just a standard looking ball joint. I just got all 4 done in my blazer. 2X upper and 2X lower. The garage wanted to charge me $100 each for the units. I picked them up myself and dropped them off for the garage. They cost me $59 each upper and $64 each Lower.(CDN)
The garage will usually add 2 costs onto any parts "they supply" 1 will be a markup average is about 35%. Other is delivery. It will not be lilsted as delivery but it will be added into the price.
To save in the future here is my suggestion as it is what I do. Have the problem diagnosed. Ask the garage if you can get the parts for the job (then they become customer supplied) and you only get changed for the labor. It will save you that markup of the parts having to be delivered.

[someguy000001]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking the same thing for next time, I'll buy the part myself and say 'something came up and i don't have the time to install it'. Otherwise the place was great, AAA recommended, no complaints with the BBB, they rotated my tires for free and gave me a 5% new customer discount. Oh and they're close to home.

[rblenkhorn]

Actually a repair shop makes its money off the parts, the labor isnt really that sufficent when you consider it fully so you must like any other business in america make a profit in the parts your putting in, there is a list price and a cost price. mostly garages charge you the list which is about 45% on top of the cost..

[GMCTech]

I must add that there is one more variable here that you may not have considered and it may not be true in your case.

The dealership is probably selling you GM OEM parts, and the parts store is selling you aftermarket. Like I said that may not be the situation in this case, but possibly.

Just remember that an OEM replacement at a GM garage brings with it the warranty on parts AND labor, most aftermarket parts warranties only replace the part. (There is a cost to pay for that peace of mind).

Thank you for letting me share my

[JimmyGold]

I know this reply is late but the OEM parts from GM for upper ball joints on these vehicles are defective. It is well known.

[Macgyver007]

HI Jimmy
Yes that is true, However alot of the dealer recalls or TID as they call them have a milage rating on them. If you are over the Klms/Miles you are on your own. Belive me I tried every way possiable to get mine done under warrently and was out of luck.