I have an appliance repair business. I charge for labor and parts. I mark up my parts a flat percentage. How do I respond when a customer wants me to breakdown the cost of labor vs parts? Because I know what they are really trying to do is see if they can find the part cheaper on the internet.

  • Asleep_Onion@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I know you do appliance repair, but the process should be the same as an auto repair business:

    1. Charge a diagnostic fee upfront (usually 1 hour of labor). This way, even if the customer decides not to complete the repair with you, at least you get paid for the time you invested into it.
    2. Provide an estimate showing the overall cost of parts and labor.
    3. If the customer asks for itemization, then provide an actual breakdown of labor and the parts costs you’re charging.
    4. Remind the customer that you cannot use parts they bring in themselves to perform repairs, they need to buy the parts through you for liability reasons (protecting both you AND them).
    5. If they say “Thanks, I think I’ll just buy the parts myself and install it at home”, then fine. At least you got paid for your time and work up to that point. Most people will decide it’s not worth the hassle of trying to find the parts themselves online and do all the work themselves. Some will, but most won’t.