For the second time in as many years, the plastic chain that runs along the bottom of the door track has broken into about 5 different pieces. I have made many a phone call and I found that the local conversion place wanted to charge me $130 for the part plus labor totaling about FIVE HUNDRED dollars! What?! I asked why so much for the labor? I was told that it would be roughly three hours worth because they would have to remove the door panel in order to install the piece.
OK, so the panel has to be removed. Never mind the fact that this part looks like it just plugs in on both ends and "voila" it should be finished. That means that I am now being charged $123 per hour for labor! Again - What?!
My personal mechanic (for non conversion repairs) naturally tells me that this is ridiculous. Even the local Mercedes dealership only charges about $90, according to him. So I took the car in to my local body shop. Guess what? He only charges $40 per hour for labor. Guess what else? The part is a Chrysler part - not a conversion part: and for the record, it is $130.
So to make a long story short, I have now just saved myself $250 (if it really does take three hours of labor). Thankfully, my part is on order and I am hoping to get the repair next week.
The moral of the story is: Check with your local mechanic (or body shop) before going to your conversion shop. You may save yourself a ton!
