The real costs in today’s economy were driven home this past week. Throughout most of my life, I have avoided paying someone to do what I could do for myself. Age and circumstance have reduced the range of everyday considerations that I once was able to tackle with a little guidance and research, to an embarrassingly short list. As an example, working off a ladder is not in my wheelhouse any longer and I never had the aptitude to mess with electricity or anything that water runs through, but could tackle a minor plumbing issue or reset a breaker. This week, I was exposed to the cost of hiring pros to do jobs that I could not handle. You, too, may find yourself in this dilemma.
Earlier this week, I drove the Orange Crush to my local tire shop for a routine tire rotation, included in the outrageous price of the run flat, low profile tires required on the little car. The wheels each had a locking lug bolt (European cars have bolts, not nuts). The locks were frozen, and the key did not budge them. Off to the BMW dealer, who has master keys, who promptly broke two of his master keys leaving one of the lockers intact. The service manager was kind, and since they were unable to complete the job, sent me on my way for a nominal charge. I then cruise into my mechanic who had the tools to drill the lock bolt and remove it. He did not need to drill, as one of the techs was experienced with this problem and was able to remove the bolt. This adventure cost over 400.00. I go back to the tire shop,where we discover one of the non-locking bolts is also very tight, and now rounded off. They sent me to yet another shop, where a tech had a special tool for frozen nuts/bolts and 10 minutes in, removed the bolt, without drilling. I have no idea what this charge was as it was passed directly to the tire retailer, who by the way is the only place the lug bolts on this car have been touched. My tire dealer, Discount Tire, has been gold relative to this adventure, stepping up and paying for the bolt problem in the form of a credit at the store, covering the exorbitant expense to date. I have installed new, non-locking bolts and will never use the locking kind again (they were original equipment on the car).
We are doing a gradual re-model and asked an electrician to offer a cost proposal for a list of some 7 routine issues. Installation of a hard wired range hood being the most challenging, with a new entry light fixture and a non functioning porch light socket and replacement of garage door lamps being included. It was easily a day’s work for an experienced tech. They came back with a proposal of over 4,000 to handle these projects. My response was hell no. The problem is, this job is apparently a nuisance to the guys making good money on big projects. We are still looking although the last company wanted 70.00 to come by and offer a proposal.
Let’s wrap this up. At our Ram dealer, the hourly rate for a mechanic is just under 150.00. The hourly rate for a tech at the garage that freed the sticky bolt is 168.00. US Automotive, that was able to remove the frozen lock bolt is 128.00. These shops all demand, and are getting, north of 130.00 to change the oil in the Crush. These are tasks that I did for myself once upon a time, but are no longer within my capabilities. Do I begrudge these guys. No……..with emphasis, I do not. It is the price of living in the vicious inflationary climate that exists today. We are all in this race, and unless something tames inflation, we are going to sink. All things are possible with enough time, money and tools. Tell that to the 176 folks just laid off at the Bass Pro boat manufacturing division, because of “inflation, interest rates and the economy”. (We have a chance to flatten this trajectory in November….)
Experience and skill has a price.
Have a great week!
SR
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