Overhaulin'

Should you buy parts and bring car to mechanic or bring car and let mechanic buy parts?

I need tires, airfilter, and brake pads. Prices seem pretty good at the pepboys near me. But I have a guy that replaced my flat at a decent price.

Public Comments

1. If I was u I would buy the parts and let the mechanic install them
2. I would be less expensive if you bought the parts but some mechanics won't do that.
3. If its possible you should buy the parts and give them to the mechanic. They can add extra charges for that or something else you might not know.
4. They would be more likely to use parts you brought to them if you have been going to them for a long time, and tell them ahead of time that this is what you're going to do. Most places will try to help you out if you bring them parts that would otherwise be hella expensive. But be careful to get EXACTLY what is required for your car.
5. talk to your mechanic some if its just a brand preferance mabey he will give in a little but i would ask first
6. suggest to ask the mechanic if it is ok if you pick up the parts. It is usually cheaper that way.....but best to clear it with him
7. Let the mechanic buy the parts. There is a huge difference in the quality of replacement brake pads. Will you be happy with the mechanic if the pads are shot again in 9 months? He may also be able to buy the pads cheaper than you can. What if you were a cook and the customer brought his own steak. Would you want your reputation subject to his purchase?
8. ya let the pro buy the right parts if u got all the parts figured out then why don't you install them?its like telling him how to do his job. and he will not guarantee the parts if parts are faulty you will have to pay again to fix problem good luck.
9. You buy the parts, I will never work on you car.
10. Would you bring your own food to a restaraunt and ask the chef to cook it up for you?
11. Shay: The guys who already responded about part warranty and quality are correct. Shops tend to use high quality parts that they can count on. Because if a part fails, guess who gets to pay for the 'come back'. From my experience in service writing and ordering parts, I can tell you that getting the correct application is sometimes difficult. Parts are delivered to the shop, and if they don't fit the parts driver is soon back with a replacement. The shop that I have worked in allows folks to bring in their own parts, with the understanding that if they don't fit, we sell you our own parts. The reason for this is that a shop cannot wait hours for a customer to come back, pick up parts and find new ones that fit. Shops need to get the cars in, repaired and out. If you compare prices between, say Pepboys and a shop price, you will probably not see two much difference. But the product has to be the same. For example, Raybestos makes Red Box (cheap) and Blue Box (expensive) brake products. Don't get a quote for the lower cost product and expect a shop to provide the higher performing. Also, with some training and basic tools, you can do your own brakes. Give it a try. Jin Ju
12. If you supply the parts, and have somebody install, you have no labour warranty. If mechanic supplies and installs, you have parts and labour warranty.