> 
> So... do I get the same amount of labor as the other mechanics (4 hrs)?
> Does the customer get the job for less because I was able to do the job in
> half of book time?
> 
> Or... is it that the job pays 4 hours and that's how much you get 
> regardless
> of how long it takes?

I've never worked in automotive repair, but I have been installing business 
telephone systems, networking equipment, and associated wiring for a dozen 
years. For most things we have the equivalent of a "book rate" that we 
charge regardless of the time it takes. Like you and the VW clutch job, I 
can mount, connect, and program a phone system in an hour and a half-- but 
we bill 4 hours 'cause that's what it would take a mere mortal of average 
skill. ;)
What it comes down to is that certain basic things cost a certain amount, 
regardless of the worker's skill.

I understand that diagnostics are a completely different animal, however,
> the same problem presents itself. A highly skilled mechanic may be able to
> diagnose a problem in 1/4 the time of an average mechanic. The highly
> skilled guy probably spent many unpaid hours getting to that level of
> proficiency (the same time the average guy is currently spending). Should
> he get paid for his extra knowledge or just for the 5 minutes he spent on
> the problem?
> 

Troubleshooting is where we usually demonstrate the value of using us over 
the guy who advertises on spray paint stenciled cardboard signs stapled to 
telephone poles reading "Phone Jacks 323-555-1212". Customers like us 
because we don't charge them $85/hr to poke randomly at things for three 
hours before stumbling across the problem. Being the guy that fixes the 
little stuff quickly and effectively tends to bring in more of the big 
stuff, where the REAL money is.
I wish more mechanics were like that, but nearly all the ones I've used have 
been more of the "poke randomly" variety-- and far too many have been the 
type who fix something that wasn't broken and claim to have fixed the 
problem.

-- 
John Bange
'90 Vanagon
"Keine Bange, wir holen die Zange!"