View Single Post
Old 09-06-2016, 11:36 AM   #6
thstone
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
In regards to labor - I definitely wouldn't expect it for free - but the clutch install should come at a very reasonable hourly fee since everything is already opened up. If you're a good repeat customer, you'll have a better chance of getting the labor reduced or free. Being nice helps as does not negotiating the mechanic down on his original estimate (so he might have a little extra labor in the bid to throw at the clutch install and not hurt his profitability). If you're a difficult customer or negotiated the original estimate, your chances of free are fairly low to no way in hell.

As to whether the mechanic will install parts that you provide - it depends on the mechanic. Some will, many won't. First, as Husker explained, the shops make money on the parts they sell and they get better pricing from their suppliers on quantity, so the more they buy, the more profit they make. Second, they don't want to be blamed when the cheap part that an owners supplies fails and the job needs to be re-done.

I highly suggest becoming as friendly with your mechanic/local shop as you can. Stop in and say hi even when you don't need service. Build a relationship. Go grab a beer and talk Porsche's. Then when you need a favor, you're be in a position to ask as a friend and not come across as just another jerk with a Porsche who doesn't want to pay full price.
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor

Last edited by thstone; 09-06-2016 at 11:45 AM.
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote