Did Tech rip me off?

MrMeacham · #1 07-23-2011, 08:35 AM

I posted a few weeks ago about my bass taking so long. I went to pick it up yesterday and he charged me $125 in labor to swap out the p bass pickups, pots and change the bridge. I paid prices that were a few dollars more than internet retail for all the parts as well. This was a guitar shop that had to get wholesale costs on things. As they held my bass hostage I felt like I got taken big time. Am I wrong?

BassNeo · #2 07-23-2011, 08:40 AM

If you feel that you 'were taken' you should mention it before you pay the bill, and at the very least you should ask them to justify the price. Did they give you a quote?

Seeing what you had done, there's likely a couple hours work to do the job properly and if the work is quality, then it's probably worth the money if you can't do it yourself.

Joe Murray · #3 07-23-2011, 08:44 AM

Depnds on what they charge for labor, really. The work you described shouldn't have taken too long. I assume this is a passive bass? If so, I would think you're looking at 1-2 hours labor....although I think someone who knows what they're doing could have that done within the hour.

Hopkins · #4 07-23-2011, 08:45 AM

I assume when he changed the bridge that he did a complete setup, which would be required. That combined with completely changing the electronics, I would say that $125 labor is a fair price.

As far as the prices being a bit more expensive, that is also common. Small shops carry a smaller inventory therefor prices are usually a bit higher, but there are no shipping costs and you don't have to wait for your stuff.

Joe Murray · #5 07-23-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopkins

I assume when he changed the bridge that he did a complete setup, which would be required. That combined with completely changing the electronics, I would say that $125 labor is a fair price..

Agreed, if you got a set up as well, then yes....seems fair.

MrLenny1 · #6 07-23-2011, 08:50 AM

Sounds fair. Local GC has their fees posted on the wall and what you paid is close
to what they charge.

Jazzdogg · #7 07-23-2011, 08:52 AM

Did you obtain a written estimate before you agreed to have the tech in question work on your bass?

If not, why not? Caveat emptor.

If so, did the final charge exceed the estimate?

fivestringgecko · #8 07-23-2011, 08:53 AM

Hopkins makes a good point, did the tech do a setup on it when they replaced the bridge? A decent shop would, I think. It also sounds like a complete electronics swap, assuming it's a passive P. $125 sounds like a pretty fair price for all that, IMO. I'm not sure I'd be able to find a shop in Denver that would do all that for that price anyway, even GC.

5sg.

bassplayer8953 · #9 07-23-2011, 08:59 AM

If your had paid this much in labor to work on a $5000 Sandowsky would you even be asking this question?

Whether it's a $5000 Sandowsky or a $120 SX the labor required for such mods is pretty much the same. In the case of the SX, maybe even higher effort required, due to lower QC and the requirement for more tweaks.

If the labor sounds too high for you, learn to fix it yourself. When others do your work for you, you pay what they charge...or don't get it done.

RCCollins · #10 07-23-2011, 09:00 AM

If setup is included, the price is totally fair. I wouldn't be pleased about the wait, but that's a different issue.

MrMeacham · #11 07-23-2011, 09:04 AM

Thanks for the quick responses. I had asked prior and was given a different price. Being that I live in a small area musically, I didn't want to create problems for $65. Most of you feel it was a fair price so I'm glad I kept my mouth shut. Thanks for the advice.

Joe Murray · #12 07-23-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMeacham

Thanks for the quick responses. I had asked prior and was given a different price. Being that I live in a small area musically, I didn't want to create problems for $65. Most of you feel it was a fair price so I'm glad I kept my mouth shut. Thanks for the advice.

While I believe we all agree that $125 is a fair price, if they quoted you $65 and then charged you double...that in itself is a problem!

allexcosta · #13 07-23-2011, 09:19 AM

100 bucks for the setup only is expected.

Next time you should get a quote before authorizing any service.

fjadams · #14 07-23-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMeacham

I posted a few weeks ago about my bass taking so long. I went to pick it up yesterday and he charged me $125 in labor to swap out the p bass pickups, pots and change the bridge. I paid prices that were a few dollars more than internet retail for all the parts as well. This was a guitar shop that had to get wholesale costs on things. As they held my bass hostage I felt like I got taken big time. Am I wrong?

I don't see that as being out of line, at least for where I live in Lincoln, NE.

When I got my vintage Hagstrom, brought it to the tech. He adjusted the neck, dressed the frets, cleaned the pots, set the intonation with the new flats, adjusted the action. Charge was about $110. Now it plays and sounds perfect. Money well spent.

Pilgrim · #15 07-23-2011, 10:56 AM

You worry about paying FEW DOLLARS MORE than internet retail????????

I'm flat amazed you didn't get charged at least double "Internet retail". The guy has to make a living...and one way he does it is to charge real retail prices.

You did fine. In fact, you may have gotten quite a deal.

Musiclogic · #16 07-23-2011, 12:53 PM

Luthiers prices are generally in accordance with other repairmen in the area. If the bridge was a direct replacement, the cost might be a bit high, but if a complete set-up was done the price was probably ok. As for parts prices, not every repairman has accounts or even discounts with manufacturers so he might have been paying similar prices plus shipping. There are 100 possible reasons, if you wonder about a charge from a luthier, just ask for an explaination, most guys shouldn't have a problem with this. We have to be direct so people can understand why something costs as it does.

JLS · #17 07-23-2011, 01:14 PM

This is right:

Quote:

If the labor sounds too high for you, learn to fix it yourself. When others do your work for you, you pay what they charge...or don't get it done.

This is NOT:

Quote:

I had asked prior and was given a different price.

samurai1993 · #18 07-23-2011, 01:48 PM

Wow, the labor prices are pretty high in US. Here most luthiers, even the most renowned, charge like 130 USD for a full refret (I bought a fretted neck made fretless, and I want the frets back, and that's what they charge me more or less). A full setup, with fret dressing, is no more than 50 USD.

mcnach · #19 07-24-2011, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMeacham

I posted a few weeks ago about my bass taking so long. I went to pick it up yesterday and he charged me $125 in labor to swap out the p bass pickups, pots and change the bridge. I paid prices that were a few dollars more than internet retail for all the parts as well. This was a guitar shop that had to get wholesale costs on things. As they held my bass hostage I felt like I got taken big time. Am I wrong?

ouch, that's a huge labour bill for something that would have taken him 30-45min to do, including adjusting the bridge.

If that's all he did... I would not dream of going back there again!

Venom of God · #20 07-24-2011, 06:03 AM

My local shop will change pick-ups, pots and bridges for free and charge very close rates to internet prices..