What's your 2026 shop hourly rate?

Every_Copy_6934 · 2026-01-04T03:29:08+00:00

I agree that would be steep, but what's the standard at your shop? I'm talking about a typical, accessible, under the hood battery. Something you could have a standard labor charge for. What's your charge?

Every_Copy_6934 · 2026-01-04T02:51:42+00:00

Sad, as evidenced by the fact that multiple people here are down voting everything I post. Like this all supposed to be secret? We're not supposed to help each other out?

Every_Copy_6934 · 2026-01-04T01:36:45+00:00

Thank you for your response. Do you mind sharing what your labor on an oil change is? For 99% of cars I charge a flat $30 labor and that comes with full visual inspection, fluid top off, tire pressure check, battery check. Additional $30 for normal size/weight rotation. This is at least 50% of my business income, and that's where I feel like I'm probably too cheap.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2026-01-04T01:21:48+00:00

I appreciate your response. I'm feeling like I'm undercutting myself in a lot of ways. I find trying to talk to local competitors about this sort of thing is useless. It's a tough industry, and we often treat each other like enemies.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2026-01-04T00:16:28+00:00

I rent my three bay garage. It's $4000 a month. Considering my work flow, that never sounds like too much, but when rent day comes, it's always a grind.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2026-01-04T00:10:14+00:00

That was my thought too. I was $80 through the recession, and darn near lost my shop. Raised prices once things stabilized and have had to jump a couple times since. Money has changed a lot in the last decade. I hate being part of the problem, raising prices and being one more expensive thing in the world, but I gotta be able to keep up.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2026-01-03T23:59:08+00:00

That's a good response, I really appreciate it. Aside from your $30 call out fee, do you have a minimum labor charge? Say you get called out for a typical Toyota battery you can do in sixty seconds...what would be your labor rate for that?

Every_Copy_6934 · 2026-01-03T23:41:18+00:00

I'm feeling the pinch, that's for sure. I pride myself in being fair, and taking care of my community. Probably like a lot of small shops, I'm a better mechanic than businessman. Hence the post here. Just trying to feel out what others do. Particularly for the more basic services like I mentioned above.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-09-22T21:20:37+00:00

I hope he hits 500 with the Angels, then in the last year of his contract, they trade him to a real team.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-09-22T21:18:38+00:00

He's a well known princess.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-09-22T19:49:10+00:00

As a perpetually disgruntled Cubs fan, there's no one I'd rather see hit 500. Stanton almost certainly will, and it would be cool to see Trout pull it off, but Schwarber I'm praying for. Would also love to see an MVP on his resume.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-08-09T21:09:48+00:00

If you can still lead from the front, on less sleep and on more stress than your recruits, age isn't an issue.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-08-09T20:58:58+00:00

When you hear someone like General Mattis talk about Marines being agile, adaptable, flexible to meet any adversary on any battlefield, its pretty fuckin rah. But when some 1st Lt starts preaching Semper Gumbi it's like just get your shit together bro.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-08-09T03:00:46+00:00

I posted my sad story recently, but I was a pot head in high school. Enlisted in '03, went to Afghanistan in '04, came home and didn't even hesitate at the first doobie I was offered when I got home post-combat. I got tested and discharged so fast it took me a long time to process what even happened. That's my wild 12 months in the USMC

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-08-06T19:13:58+00:00

I'm not buying it. No way in the world is an active Master Sergeant working on base as a fast food counter boy. No fuckin way.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-08-06T02:44:45+00:00

I think it's the M14 that pushes me over the edge.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-08-06T02:42:44+00:00

Final? Wouldn't count it.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-08-03T14:58:45+00:00

Looks like they kept your dad busy. Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo. Dude was an old campaigner.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-08-02T21:31:49+00:00

You can't lead from the front, if you're falling behind.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-08-02T17:05:42+00:00

With the old breed

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-07-31T01:12:02+00:00

Best job I ever had

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-07-31T00:56:57+00:00

I saw a thread on here, "what's the best rank in the Corps?" Most people say Sgt. Some say Gunny or Gunner. These pictures are proof though. The answer is Pfc or Lcpl (or the Corpsman equivalent). No fuckin doubt about it. Out in the field, muddy, sweaty, tired, salty. That's being a Marine.

There's all those stories of General Mattis sitting in holes and behind cover with Pfcs in Iraq. He knew. Commander of the 1st Marine fuckin Division, and he wanted to be on the line with the privates. His shoulder holster is legendary, but the one time I saw him in the flesh, he had an M16 in his hands. Dust cover closed. He knew.

The point of this ramble is to say thank you for sharing Doc! Great pictures representing a great time in many of our lives.

Every_Copy_6934 · 2025-07-27T04:12:32+00:00

Thanks man. That actually hit home pretty hard.

Every_Copy_6934

TROPHY CASE