Is this a fair Bobcat service invoice?

[themadscientist]

We recently had our Bobcat (S650) serviced (500 hours) on-site about 10 miles from the service center as our trailer is down. The quote was well under the final bill. Is this normal?

Parts:

• Hydraulic Cartridge Filter: $64.51
• Hydraulic Cap: $34.82
• Multi-purpose Grease: $7.98
• Oil Filter Assembly: $96.24
• Air Inner Filter: $57.43
• Air Outer Filter: $86.68
• Fuel Filter: $93.98
• 15W40 Oil: $61.77
• Other filters: $47.56, $33.37
• Hydraulic Oil (VG68, 1 gal): $33.93
• Freight-in: $12.13
• Filter Cap: $30.71

Labor:

• $696.15
• $390.00 (Driving to site)

Work Order Summary:

• Parts: $661.11
• Labor: $1,086.15
• Environmental Charge: $13.22
• Shop Supplies: $75.07
• Zone 1 Charge: $80.00
• Subtotal: $1,915.55

Taxes:

• City: $28.73
• County: $9.58
• State: $119.74

Total: $2,073.60

I'm charging $1.50/km plus my $150/hr hourly rate. thats in AUD, so 7 hours labour plus $51 km rate, was it done over 2 days, as that foes seem a bit steep for filters and oil labour, unless they have to have 2 mechanics on site when remote for oh&s then possibly reasonable

do they usually do remote work? was there and onsite hoops to jump through?

and how thoroughly did they check the machine?

 

[mibh1]

We recently had our Bobcat (S650) serviced (500 hours) on-site about 10 miles from the service center as our trailer is down. The quote was well under the final bill. Is this normal?

Parts:

• Hydraulic Cartridge Filter: $64.51
• Hydraulic Cap: $34.82
• Multi-purpose Grease: $7.98
• Oil Filter Assembly: $96.24
• Air Inner Filter: $57.43
• Air Outer Filter: $86.68
• Fuel Filter: $93.98
• 15W40 Oil: $61.77
• Other filters: $47.56, $33.37
• Hydraulic Oil (VG68, 1 gal): $33.93
• Freight-in: $12.13
• Filter Cap: $30.71

Labor:

• $696.15
• $390.00 (Driving to site)

Work Order Summary:

• Parts: $661.11
• Labor: $1,086.15
• Environmental Charge: $13.22
• Shop Supplies: $75.07
• Zone 1 Charge: $80.00
• Subtotal: $1,915.55

Taxes:

• City: $28.73
• County: $9.58
• State: $119.74

Total: $2,073.60

Seems pretty legit.

 

[laurencen]

Seems pretty legit.

the issue we need to see is the original quote for service, has the original poster revealed this information? next when he decided to get it remotely did he ask what the estimate would be for the same work? yes its sticker shock but the dealer must have said the cost would be higher remotely than the in house service they quoted

 

[TB]

You indicate that "The quote was well under the final bill." I guess I would 1st ask what did the quote include? If the quote included all of the items listed then I would have issue. If the quote didn't include all of the items, I would question why the items were missing from the quote.
Another valid question one might ask is, If you provide a quote for X-service, do you stand by that quote? Do you call me before exceeding the quote?" I totally understand the validity of making money for operating a business. Nobody wins if the customer is PO'd at the dealer. And that seems to be where a of of Bobcat businesses are heading.

 

[laurencen]

You indicate that "The quote was well under the final bill." I guess I would 1st ask what did the quote include? If the quote included all of the items listed then I would have issue. If the quote didn't include all of the items, I would question why the items were missing from the quote.
Another valid question one might ask is, If you provide a quote for X-service, do you stand by that quote? Do you call me before exceeding the quote?" I totally understand the validity of making money for operating a business. Nobody wins if the customer is PO'd at the dealer. And that seems to be where a of of Bobcat businesses are heading.

again without seeing the posters initial quote this is all guessing, to say it was higher than the original quote is telling us nothing, was it $100 more or 1,000 more who knows,

 

[hatchet]

If you did it yourself maybe 300 dollars.

 

[mekabajo]

Seems reasonable. If you want to save money, buy your own parts online and learn how to service your machine by yourself

 

[Markle]

I do almost all my repairs…on the 753 I decided to let a new bobcat dealer service the hyd drive wheel motors…I now regret not doing it myself. Your bill looks typical for the bobcat dealer…there is a unique “ouch” factor when you get it. I was told $800 for labor and extras IF I source the motors (they are not available from bobcat, so bobcat can get the motors from my same source, “Stoens”, but they mark them up.) my final bill was $1200. We did discuss it, and service mgr denied the early quote. I chose not to get into it with them and gave a stinging rebuke on google reviews. Not going back…$200 per hour labor…I should have trusted my gut and did it myself.

 

[Markle]

BTW the rebuilt hyd drive motors were $2200 ea. yeah I like my simple machine….its done everything I ask it to.

 

[pickr85]

Where are you located?

 

[fortworth-cowboy]

The freight charge is weird because they should have all of that stuff on hand. And they order that with a Stockorder, which does not cost freight for the dealer to get it to the Dealership.
The $390 is high, we charged usually only $230 for a Field Call. Specially because you said you were only 10 miles away from the dealer.
Next time ask a Wrecker Service what it would cost to tow your Machine to the dealer, ours here only charged $180 to put your machine on a rollback and drop it of at the dealer.
The grease charge is not high but also questionable because that should be in the shop supplies included.
Do you know the HR rate of the Dealer?

 

[mmsllc]

We recently had our Bobcat (S650) serviced (500 hours) on-site about 10 miles from the service center as our trailer is down. The quote was well under the final bill. Is this normal?

Parts:

• Hydraulic Cartridge Filter: $64.51
• Hydraulic Cap: $34.82
• Multi-purpose Grease: $7.98
• Oil Filter Assembly: $96.24
• Air Inner Filter: $57.43
• Air Outer Filter: $86.68
• Fuel Filter: $93.98
• 15W40 Oil: $61.77
• Other filters: $47.56, $33.37
• Hydraulic Oil (VG68, 1 gal): $33.93
• Freight-in: $12.13
• Filter Cap: $30.71

Labor:

• $696.15
• $390.00 (Driving to site)

Work Order Summary:

• Parts: $661.11
• Labor: $1,086.15
• Environmental Charge: $13.22
• Shop Supplies: $75.07
• Zone 1 Charge: $80.00
• Subtotal: $1,915.55

Taxes:

• City: $28.73
• County: $9.58
• State: $119.74

Total: $2,073.60

It sounds about normal. The service call fee is generally to pay for the service truck & related expenses.

 

[[email protected]]

Seems reasonable. If you want to save money, buy your own parts online and learn how to service your machine by yourself

I agree. And for many reasons. It is well worth the effort to do it your self. You will see more, do more and if like me enjoy the feeling of beating the system. Question is where can a person take a service coarse and do that also. Can't hurt.

 

[[email protected]]

It sounds about normal. The service call fee is generally to pay for the service truck & related expenses.

I guess if you can write it off that's one thing but if not this is to me way high of a bill. These dealers need to feel the squeeze of no service requests. I know these parts do not cost all that much. It the installation of it and the time it takes to do it. Yet the unit was down during all this service. I think you can cut this bill down just by doing it on your own. Some don't care but I know I do with my case. I find if it is not broken don't fix it work wonders. Old saying. The Grease is a must, the oil a must and some filters for oil and fuel but a $400 bill for a ten mile trip? Zone 1 charge? What the heck is that about. Filter cap?? Hey these things are just WOW. You were low a gallon of Hyd oil? If that was the case you need to check that out more. I have my doubts about alot of these bills. Yet if you let them do this work. It will not get better for anyone. It ticks me off how these dealers do not service in a fair way. Enjoy the days folks.

 

[tibadoex]

After reading this, I am so glad I am able to service my own equipment. I actually enjoy working on each of them. At least I know job was done correctly and I saved a few $$$$.

 

[Markle]

Where are you located?

Wisconsin

 

[dancat825]

We recently had our Bobcat (S650) serviced (500 hours) on-site about 10 miles from the service center as our trailer is down. The quote was well under the final bill. Is this normal?

Parts:

• Wow! You are talking US$, correct?
  Parts are probably in line with dealer prices but good quality (Baldwin, Wix) could be had cheaper. $7.98 for grease???? $$33.93 for a gallon of hydraulic oil????
  But.....what is their hourly rate? Looks like they changed engine oil & filter, changed engine air filters, changed hydraulic filter, changed 2 other filters (cab air??) and greased it (don't know what the 2 caps are about). I'm not familiar with Bobcat's, but if I'd expect to do that in an hour on my New Holland. $696 = really? Did they blow it all out, hand wash it, wax and polish it and detail the interior?? And then $470 to drive 20 miles round trip--$23.50/mile--now that's profit.
  No.

  
  
• Cartridge Filter: $64.51
• Hydraulic Cap: $34.82
• Multi-purpose Grease: $7.98
• Oil Filter Assembly: $96.24
• Air Inner Filter: $57.43
• Air Outer Filter: $86.68
• Fuel Filter: $93.98
• 15W40 Oil: $61.77
• Other filters: $47.56, $33.37
• Hydraulic Oil (VG68, 1 gal): $33.93
• Freight-in: $12.13
• Filter Cap: $30.71

Labor:

• $696.15
• $390.00 (Driving to site)

Work Order Summary:

• Parts: $661.11
• Labor: $1,086.15
• Environmental Charge: $13.22
• Shop Supplies: $75.07
• Zone 1 Charge: $80.00
• Subtotal: $1,915.55

Taxes:

• City: $28.73
• County: $9.58
• State: $119.74

Total: $2,073.60

Doesn't seem outrageous.

 

[shane77]

Doesn't seem outrageous.

I went to Bobcat for 642 drive chains connector links. 4 of them cost me $110!?!? So I went online after rubbing my ass with some pain relief. Found the same hvy duty links for 4 for $25 ... yes your Bobcat dealer will bend you over every time. I only go to Bobcat if its a part i can not get any other way or find aftermarket. Next time you break down check with a local mobile mechanic. You maybe more please using a local young man working out of his truck vs Bobcat dealership. Its sad, when I was teen I used to run to my local dealership and grab what I needed and back then I didn't feel butt rapped when I left the store. Even Bobcat rental in my 20s were really affordable for a working man. But these days I catch my self asking do I really need to rent that. Thats alot of money for 4hr. With 1hr in just drive time.
I also imported 5 Bobcat attachments from China for the cost of just one dealership Bobcat attachment. They all have held up as well as my any of my dealership attachments. The Chinese front hoe is one of my favorite attachments... IDK how Bobcat is staying competitive with thier prices so high.

 

[Jimsteinbrenner]

Speaking of

I went to Bobcat for 642 drive chains connector links. 4 of them cost me $110!?!? So I went online after rubbing my ass with some pain relief. Found the same hvy duty links for 4 for $25 ... yes your Bobcat dealer will bend you over every time. I only go to Bobcat if its a part i can not get any other way or find aftermarket. Next time you break down check with a local mobile mechanic. You maybe more please using a local young man working out of his truck vs Bobcat dealership. Its sad, when I was teen I used to run to my local dealership and grab what I needed and back then I didn't feel butt rapped when I left the store. Even Bobcat rental in my 20s were really affordable for a working man. But these days I catch my self asking do I really need to rent that. Thats alot of money for 4hr. With 1hr in just drive time.
I also imported 5 Bobcat attachments from China for the cost of just one dealership Bobcat attachment. They all have held up as well as my any of my dealership attachments. The Chinese front hoe is one of my favorite attachments... IDK how Bobcat is staying competitive with thier prices so high.

Times sure have changed, and not necessarily for the better overall. So where did you get those Links sir? I will be working on a axle seal on my M610 in the near future. Speaking of which does anyone know a reasonable outlet to get the Cork gaskets for the side inspection plates?

 

[fortworth-cowboy]

I went to Bobcat for 642 drive chains connector links. 4 of them cost me $110!?!? So I went online after rubbing my ass with some pain relief. Found the same hvy duty links for 4 for $25 ... yes your Bobcat dealer will bend you over every time. I only go to Bobcat if its a part i can not get any other way or find aftermarket. Next time you break down check with a local mobile mechanic. You maybe more please using a local young man working out of his truck vs Bobcat dealership. Its sad, when I was teen I used to run to my local dealership and grab what I needed and back then I didn't feel butt rapped when I left the store. Even Bobcat rental in my 20s were really affordable for a working man. But these days I catch my self asking do I really need to rent that. Thats alot of money for 4hr. With 1hr in just drive time.
I also imported 5 Bobcat attachments from China for the cost of just one dealership Bobcat attachment. They all have held up as well as my any of my dealership attachments. The Chinese front hoe is one of my favorite attachments... IDK how Bobcat is staying competitive with thier prices so high.

Well, everything "Made in America" is more expensive no matter what.
But on the other Hand, you pay also for better Material, Design, etc. China tends to just "steal" ideas and produce the product then way cheaper. With cheaper material and so on.