im trying not to complain because the pulley itself is only 160-200 bucks and even with installation costs it is an awesome bang for the buck........However if it only takes an hour to install, then why is it $200 plus for the install?

 

[this should be in Perf Mods forum]

...and $200 for the install is appropriate; Joe Normal would take many hours struggling to get the old pulley off and new one installed. It takes Randy an hour, because he's "da man", and has done hundreds; practice makes perfect (and quicker).

"that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it"

 

i was contemplating as to what forum i should put this in. i know it would take joe smoe forever, but helix and randy can do it in no time, so i guess i feel like they should still be charging by an hourly rate which is about 90 to 100 bucks for a good place. i know im knitpicking, i guess i want the cake and eat it too. :smile: i'll just have to tell myself they deserve it for all the hard work they have done to get to this point.

 

I paid $430 at Helix , there is a brewery next door where I scored some free beer.



03 mcs
Helix pulley/alta intake

 

is it worth the thousands of dollars you pay when a heart surgeon spends an hour fixing your ticker?! Replacing the pulley CORRECTLY requires the consummate skills of a surgeon. I watched Eric at Helix replace my pulley and he earned every penny I paid him!

 

>>is it worth the thousands of dollars you pay when a heart surgeon spends an hour fixing your ticker?! Replacing the pulley CORRECTLY requires the consummate skills of a surgeon. I watched Eric at Helix replace my pulley and he earned every penny I paid him!


Agree 100%

 

>>i was contemplating as to what forum i should put this in. i know it would take joe smoe forever, but helix and randy can do it in no time, so i guess i feel like they should still be charging by an hourly rate which is about 90 to 100 bucks for a good place. i know im knitpicking, i guess i want the cake and eat it too. :smile: i'll just have to tell myself they deserve it for all the hard work they have done to get to this point.>>

Ahhh, the concept of flat rate work in the automotive industry. A job is determined to be worth a certain amount of time to the average technician and that is the rate that is charged (and this is for EVERYTHING, not just pulleys).

In that way a highly skilled technician can make more by getting paid for 10-12 hours in a day that lasts only 8.... while a poor schlub will make only 6 hours pay for the same day.

If they were to charge strictly "by the hour" where would their motivation be to finish the job quickly? You'd actually be penalizing the skilled tech for being too fast.

 

I agree 100% with the above explanations.

 

They both (Eric & Randy) charge approx $200...for the pulley install.

The REAL questions is...do you want to pay it or not?

I'm a consultant and I charge an hourly rate.
I decide what my rate is and clients decide whether to use my services or not :smile:.
Simple

I think most of us think that we pay tooo much for ... most services.
It's human nature IMHO :smile:

I don't know how to change a pulley !
I don't have the tools to change a pulley !
There are "x" people that (that I currently know & trust)...that have the "expertise" & are "experienced" to do this particular job!

Therefore... I was pleased to get this done for the price I paid Eric :smile:

Like all things we discuss here..it's a PERSONAL CHOICE.

There are no correct " written in stone"....answers there are simply YOUR OWN PERSONAL EDUCATED CHOICES !!!!!!!

Peace,
D




_________________
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

I'm with the rest of you guys on this one. I watched Randy do three or four pulley jobs (unfortunately my MINI wasn't one of them!) and his skill and technique is worth the cash. Pay the $400+, know the job is done right and then go out and enjoy the heck out of your new-found HP.
Wings

 

Just look for a pulley party ( they happen often) and you can drive to it, get your
pulley done for 200 and party with some cool mini folk which is an added bonus,
then you get to drive back playing with your new found mini.

 

...and a bit of a plug...I'm hosting a Pulley Party in Metro-Detroit December 5th thru 7th. Give me a shout if you're interested :smile:

Cheers,
Ryan

P.S. Some great explainations about Flat Rate above, and I definitely agree; skilled people deserve the potential for more money.

 

i think i explained my thoughts in my second post. I have no problem paying the 220 or whatever for the install. You did bring up a good point though, mechanics should be paid depending on what job they are doing rather than by the hour. I live in Jersey so the pulley party will be out but thanks for the invite. i am not sure if i want to get the pulley or new wheels and tires first. I feel like if i get new wheels and tires that i will be getting the most from my mods because of the lighter shoes. Problem is, i had 2000 put aside for mods and with intake, wheels and tires my funds would be deflated. :???:

 

>> i am not sure if i want to get the pulley or new wheels and tires first. I feel like if i get new wheels and tires that i will be getting the most from my mods because of the lighter shoes. Problem is, i had 2000 put aside for mods and with intake, wheels and tires my funds would be deflated. :smile:.
Just my 2 cents :smile:

Peace,
D