On 9/15/05, The Bus Depot <vanagon@busdepot.com> wrote: 
<snip>

Some mechanics quote a flat rate or a book rate per job; others charge
> actual time and materials. Either method is perfectly reasonable as long 
> as
> it's disclosed up front. Very frequently a more experienced mechanic will
> charge more per hour than a less experienced one, but still cost the
> customer less, because due to his expertise he can do the job faster (and 
> do
> it right the first time!).

 <snip>
 Hear, hear. Exactly what I was trying to say. My local shop give me a 
choice of mechanics at various billing plans. You kind of need to know who 
can do what well to take advantage of this plan. I bring enough of my cars 
there to know who's who.
 -- 
BenT 
VOR, 09/24/05