Thread: Rip off of the week

Ok, so Im starting to do more and more bits and pieces on peoples vehicles for them from my workshop.

Young fella I know has a Isuzu D Max. It has done about 200k

I noticed the other day that the idler pulley for the fan belt A/c is starting to whine. Bearings are on their way out.

So we got a price from the Isuzu dealer for the part. Comes with a bracket and adjuster etc.

$360!!

So, anyway we pulled it apart. The bearing can be replaced.

Fixed for $8.10. Replaced belt too just in case

These fellas are getting out the gate with their prices for bits.

Watch yourself fellas, if you let them, they will rip you.

I hear you. I have a mate with a flash Audi. Wife had a 15kph prang. Car was written off as each headlight cluster is 10K. I shittith you not

It's not just cars. I have an old chrony f1, part of the lcd screen died.

Bit of research, and getting the same screen, different manufacture and part number was about 4 dollars, instead of 50. Quick soldering job and it was sorted.

Mate...You should try a Honda Valkyrie...I did the carb fuel tube seals on mine not long after I got it. There is two banks of 3 carbs (6 in total) and the fuel goes through tubes between the carbs rather than directly into each carb. At the end of each tube (two slightly different diameter tubes between each carb / 4 tubes per side) there is an O ring to seal on each end of each tube- 16 in total. I priced OEM O rings and was a little setback / dumbfounded / shell shocked when the guy behind the counter said $104 plus gst per set.... $104 for 16x O'rings that are barely 7mm diameter and less that 1mm thick? He said No, ....one set is FOUR O rings and you will need FOUR sets for the 4 pairs of tubes....(Total was to be $$416 plus GST ex Japan) ....I left without ordering them. Spoke to a mechanic mate of mine....and he said to try Mainland fasteners...I did and they had 1 size of Viton fuel compatable O rings and two others close to the second size. I asked how much and he said being Viton they are quite dear....about $1.50 per O ring...I said I will take 10 of each of the 3 sizes so I can make sure of the best fit and he was kind enough to say "well return the size you dont need for a credit / refund...."

$35 later and I was a very relieved rider...

Originally Posted by XR500

I hear you. I have a mate with a flash Audi. Wife had a 15kph prang. Car was written off as each headlight cluster is 10K. I shittith you not

Nissan patrols Y61 light clusters were about $1200 each from Nissan chch about 15yrs ago.Perspex light covers $120 a pair.Good job I had all round glass insurance.

Originally Posted by XR500

I each headlight cluster is 10K. I shittith you not

yup and for the later ones thats not including the modues of which there are 4...........done a couple this year

How long would you stay in buisness doing idler pulleys for $8.10

If you worked in the automotive/mechanical trade long enough you’d know what the markup’s are like. 8.50 sounds a bit cheap for a pulley bearing. As @blip says, how long would you stay solvent doing 8.50 bearings taking into account overheads etc.

I think you could still charge for labour.

you guys have never had the misfortune to work on a tesla, no info, no spares and total junk.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

you guys have never had the misfortune to work on a tesla, no info, no spares and total junk.

I wont have that problem,il never buy one.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

you guys have never had the misfortune to work on a tesla, no info, no spares and total junk.

Used to do the windscreens on them. Absolute pieces of junk, have to take most of the front panels off to get the damned thing out


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My outboard blew a Idle Air Control Valve.
$900 from authorised dealer, or $67 delivered on TM.
Took a punt on the trademe one and it works. Looks like it might have come out of the same plant.
But I do hope the chinaman that put it together knew what he was doing and I don't cook my electrics.

A recent happy discovery was car parts via Aliexpress - purchased a new rear tailight for a Nissan Qashqai - $80 (included LED panel and indicator bulb). Repco told me I'd have to go to a Nissan dealer to find one, and estimated $3-400.

Originally Posted by blip

How long would you stay in buisness doing idler pulleys for $8.10

Who said that was the total invoice.??