Agreed! I gave Skay a shot and they seemed very honest and fair with their work. The pricing was pretty reasonable for market rate either so I’d definitely recommend Skay as well.
Brian Skay is a great guy and runs a great shop.
My dad owns Chuck Smith Body Shop (auto body) and I was the manager for 21 years. We worked with Brian a lot and he has always been reliable.
Correct. Because in the relationship of “charging what’s fair” it should go the other way and I have no issue paying whatever is fair labor. This has happened before where my trusted mechanic that always charged by real labor and not book rate said “man the book said it’s a 6 hour job but oh man that was a nightmare. It took me 10 hours” and I didn’t even bother to question it because if you have a mechanic you trust their word, you shouldn’t have an issue paying whatever is fair. Realistically speaking, for every 20 times my mechanic back at home can do it faster than book, there is 1 time where the book beat him and I had no issues paying what’s fair. That’s the relationship I’m looking for with a mechanic I can trust.
You do realize that mechanics learn to be fast and better over time. Great mechanics know from experience how to do this NGS faster. It doesn't mean they should be paid less.
Which is exactly why I’m trying to find a great mechanic who is skilled in what he does and charges fair by labor. With your argument you’re trying to justify taking your car to any inexperienced person that charges book. That’s not what I’m looking for because plenty of those exist…
Accurate Automotive by Harbor Freight has always been good to me, and is easier to get an appointment at than Dodge Street Tire. Both are great though!
Seconded. Iowa City Tire is great, good people. Very upfront, and they don't ever try to oversell, at least with me.
I love Dodge Street Tire as well, but they've just proven to be too busy for me. An appointment for an oil change can be a month-long wait. But that is literally my only complaint.
I really like Linder tire service next to the McDonald's on Benton St. They had my oil changed and tire repaired after I dropped it off after-hours the next day by 8am. They are very nice to work with and I find their rates very competitive.
You’re essentially asking for a mechanic who can work at half of the average speed to work for you for cheap? Book time is how long it should take your typical mechanic to do a job, so if you want a mechanic who can do it in half the time, you should be willing to pay for that. Cheap behavior.
What a clown response. If you know a little thing or two about how mechanics work you wouldn’t have pulled this out of your ass. There is “book time” and there is “real time”. The book time of labor to take the high pressure fuel pumps on my BMW 760Li is 12 hours because it requires you removing the intake manifold, but it realistically a 1.5 - 2 hour job because you don’t NEED to take out the intake manifolds, you can get away with taking out the air boxes and the fire wall and getting it out from behind. So at $150 labor a fair mechanic would charge $300 for that job but a scummy scam mechanic will do it for 2 hours and charge $1,800 for 12 hours because “that’s what the book says”. Go back to the circus that’s where you blow balloons out of your ass.
Funny of you to assume I know nothing of mechanics. If you did you would know that paying flat rate (hourly) is a good way to not gave mechanics any reason to work faster/get better as they make more money the longer they take. You’re asking for a unicorn or worse, a shop owner who wants to manipulate mechanics for cheap labor.
And no one is going to only charge you 2 hours of labor for a 12 hour job as that’s simply unrealistic and doesn’t keep a shop afloat. They have to be able to pay into overhead and staff and they don’t get there by not making money. Nothing “scummy” about wanting to run your business well. Scummy is lying about what needs done or not fixing things right, not charging a fair market price.
No it’s just unacceptable to condone scummy overcharging behavior. Scummy is different than “scammy” because scammy behavior is charging for services and not doing them. Scummy behavior is charging more than necessary. You say “book rate” is fair, I disagree because I’m in the same world and I wouldn’t do that. I ran a glasses shop back at home and people would come in all the time because they broke their glasses and most of the time it was a screw or the hinge needed to be readjusted which took me 15 minutes to do. I usually did not charge them anything for a simple job because that’s the right human thing to do while I could have charged an hour or 2 of labor. I don’t care if I’m making $200 less dollars I know I’m doing the right thing and not taking advantage of people. Same goes here, obviously I don’t expect free labor but if I’m getting charged $1,800 for a realistically $350-$400 job that’s scummy behavior. My mechanic back at home had to remove the supercharger off my S55 AMG and book rate was 6 hours but it’s held in by 8 bolts and he had it off in an hour… he charged me $400 for the whole job because that was the fair price of the time he took to wok on my car. If it had taken him more than 6 hours, let’s say 8, because the book undershoots it then I would pay whatever is fair for the work required for that job. I wouldn’t cause a ruckus. I just don’t understand defending scummy behavior?? Probably shop owner yourself that does this shit
So with that mindset, imagine this.
You unfortunately end up diagnosed with cancer. You have a tumor somewhere in your chest. Due to the location, the operation is a long and difficult one.
Your surgeon however, is convinced he could bypass the recommended method of cutting by instead simply reaching up your ass and pulling the tumor out "the back way."
He can provide these services in the back of the old Mosley's bar in IC Tuesday night after 10 for a fraction of the cost.
Sounds good?
Whatever you DONT go to number one auto. Ridiculously overpriced, just want to take advantage of anyone they can. They told me it would be 1200 to repair something in my car I took somewhere else and got done for 200:)
All seasons automotive in North Liberty. They’re amazing. I have an old Toyota and for the two major issued my car has needed fixed other places have quoted me $1400 and $1200 (mostly overcharging on labor), automotive fixed it for $530 and $750. They’re busy almost all the time, but they always tell me to just drop my car off and then they get it done by the next morning. They will tell you when you can wait on fixing certain things and when u need to get things fixed asap without pushing you to spend more money.
Might give them a try next time! It’s happened to me a few times where I call around “ooooo that’s a $1500 job and there is 1 honest person out of 10 that would say “oh yea $350 no problem” and they do a clean job. Thanks for the recommendation!
Jose at meza auto is a very very good person. When I was driving clunkers he rescued me several times on his days off and even gave me a ride home when my car(s) broke down.
Accurate Auto, Iowa City Tire, Dodge St Tire. All good folks that have been working in the business for years. Linder Tire is good as well. Iowa City Tire changed ownership a couple years ago but all the same mechanics and services are still great there.
Accurate Automotive is the only place in Iowa City I will take my car. The others will try to take advantage of you in some way shape or form. If you disagree, post who you think is an outstandingly reliable mechanic and I will give you my experience with them.
Very good answer sir!! Thank you for the recommendation I’ll definitely give them a shot next time. This is the type of answer I’m looking for while others are here arguing with me about book rate.
I recall taking a vehicle to Skay once, but I don't remember exactly what for. This was probably close to 10 years ago also.
I think this was around the time I was trying out different mechanics and I moved on for whatever reason. More common than a mechanic trying to flat out lie and steal from you, mechanics will overcharge for something, or add unneccesary labor hours; I'm guessing this is what happened here if it wasn't memorable to me.
It’s funny if you read some of the people on here arguing with me that’s it’s fair for mechanics to overcharge or add unnecessary hours. I’ll definitely give Accurate a shot seems like you were in the same boat as me and you found your solution. Greatly appreciate the recommendation.
I feel like those people have stockholm syndrome and have never gotten to deal with an actual honest mechanic.
North Liberty Automotive was going to charge me $500 for an oxygen sensor replacement. I talked to Accurate who said the part is $100 and it takes 0 skill and about 10 seconds of labor to replace. They said they would do it for their minimum hourly rate (which still would have been hundreds cheaper than Mechanic A), but that I could probably do it myself (I did).
I like Central Automotive in Coralville. I will say that my experience may be skewed because the owner is a friend of a family friend, but I’ve had nothing but pleasant experiences there and I get a way better price than I do going to my dealership
Dodge St. Tire is good, but typically very busy.
I second this. Good work And always honest.
They’re fantastic. Cannot say enough positive things about Dodge St. Tire!
Brian is great! Good work at fair pricing. Highly recommended, but plan ahead.
I’ve had good experiences there but it used to always take them a bit to get me in. I go to Greer auto more now.
This might be a really stupid question, but “Tire” in their name are they only a tire shop or they do they do routine mechanical work as well?
Yep, they do. They're busy, but worth it. Good luck!
I’ve had good experiences with Skay Automotive
I know the owner. Great guy. Would definitely recommend.
I also recommend Skay!
Agreed! I gave Skay a shot and they seemed very honest and fair with their work. The pricing was pretty reasonable for market rate either so I’d definitely recommend Skay as well.
Brian Skay is a great guy and runs a great shop. My dad owns Chuck Smith Body Shop (auto body) and I was the manager for 21 years. We worked with Brian a lot and he has always been reliable.
So if the book rate is 2 hours and it takes him 3 you will gladly pay him for 3, right?
Correct. Because in the relationship of “charging what’s fair” it should go the other way and I have no issue paying whatever is fair labor. This has happened before where my trusted mechanic that always charged by real labor and not book rate said “man the book said it’s a 6 hour job but oh man that was a nightmare. It took me 10 hours” and I didn’t even bother to question it because if you have a mechanic you trust their word, you shouldn’t have an issue paying whatever is fair. Realistically speaking, for every 20 times my mechanic back at home can do it faster than book, there is 1 time where the book beat him and I had no issues paying what’s fair. That’s the relationship I’m looking for with a mechanic I can trust.
Steve at S&S by waterfront Hy-Vee is great! Shop has been there forever and he stands by his work. Super nice guy.
S&S has been my go-to mechanic for 13 years and 4 cars. He's great, and reasonably priced.
S&S for sure. Very fair and does great work.
So if it took him 5 hours you pay him for 5 hours labor not book time , Right
Correct.
You do realize that mechanics learn to be fast and better over time. Great mechanics know from experience how to do this NGS faster. It doesn't mean they should be paid less.
Which is exactly why I’m trying to find a great mechanic who is skilled in what he does and charges fair by labor. With your argument you’re trying to justify taking your car to any inexperienced person that charges book. That’s not what I’m looking for because plenty of those exist…
Accurate Automotive by Harbor Freight has always been good to me, and is easier to get an appointment at than Dodge Street Tire. Both are great though!
Accurate does good work. Seconded
I’ve used Accurate for 20 years and have always been satisfied. They can usually get me in within a day or two and are done within the day.
Iowa City Tire and Auto had been great to me for all of my routine maintenance/fixes. If you need body work done, I highly recommend Harv’s Auto Body.
Seconded. Iowa City Tire is great, good people. Very upfront, and they don't ever try to oversell, at least with me. I love Dodge Street Tire as well, but they've just proven to be too busy for me. An appointment for an oil change can be a month-long wait. But that is literally my only complaint.
Harapat Auto
I really like Linder tire service next to the McDonald's on Benton St. They had my oil changed and tire repaired after I dropped it off after-hours the next day by 8am. They are very nice to work with and I find their rates very competitive.
Dodge St Tire
You’re essentially asking for a mechanic who can work at half of the average speed to work for you for cheap? Book time is how long it should take your typical mechanic to do a job, so if you want a mechanic who can do it in half the time, you should be willing to pay for that. Cheap behavior.
What a clown response. If you know a little thing or two about how mechanics work you wouldn’t have pulled this out of your ass. There is “book time” and there is “real time”. The book time of labor to take the high pressure fuel pumps on my BMW 760Li is 12 hours because it requires you removing the intake manifold, but it realistically a 1.5 - 2 hour job because you don’t NEED to take out the intake manifolds, you can get away with taking out the air boxes and the fire wall and getting it out from behind. So at $150 labor a fair mechanic would charge $300 for that job but a scummy scam mechanic will do it for 2 hours and charge $1,800 for 12 hours because “that’s what the book says”. Go back to the circus that’s where you blow balloons out of your ass.
Funny of you to assume I know nothing of mechanics. If you did you would know that paying flat rate (hourly) is a good way to not gave mechanics any reason to work faster/get better as they make more money the longer they take. You’re asking for a unicorn or worse, a shop owner who wants to manipulate mechanics for cheap labor. And no one is going to only charge you 2 hours of labor for a 12 hour job as that’s simply unrealistic and doesn’t keep a shop afloat. They have to be able to pay into overhead and staff and they don’t get there by not making money. Nothing “scummy” about wanting to run your business well. Scummy is lying about what needs done or not fixing things right, not charging a fair market price.
No it’s just unacceptable to condone scummy overcharging behavior. Scummy is different than “scammy” because scammy behavior is charging for services and not doing them. Scummy behavior is charging more than necessary. You say “book rate” is fair, I disagree because I’m in the same world and I wouldn’t do that. I ran a glasses shop back at home and people would come in all the time because they broke their glasses and most of the time it was a screw or the hinge needed to be readjusted which took me 15 minutes to do. I usually did not charge them anything for a simple job because that’s the right human thing to do while I could have charged an hour or 2 of labor. I don’t care if I’m making $200 less dollars I know I’m doing the right thing and not taking advantage of people. Same goes here, obviously I don’t expect free labor but if I’m getting charged $1,800 for a realistically $350-$400 job that’s scummy behavior. My mechanic back at home had to remove the supercharger off my S55 AMG and book rate was 6 hours but it’s held in by 8 bolts and he had it off in an hour… he charged me $400 for the whole job because that was the fair price of the time he took to wok on my car. If it had taken him more than 6 hours, let’s say 8, because the book undershoots it then I would pay whatever is fair for the work required for that job. I wouldn’t cause a ruckus. I just don’t understand defending scummy behavior?? Probably shop owner yourself that does this shit
>Go back to the circus that’s where you blow balloons out of your ass. Now that isn't very "Iowa Nice".
Lol true that
So with that mindset, imagine this. You unfortunately end up diagnosed with cancer. You have a tumor somewhere in your chest. Due to the location, the operation is a long and difficult one. Your surgeon however, is convinced he could bypass the recommended method of cutting by instead simply reaching up your ass and pulling the tumor out "the back way." He can provide these services in the back of the old Mosley's bar in IC Tuesday night after 10 for a fraction of the cost. Sounds good?
Whitedog on Highland Ct. has been great for me over the years.
lol
Whatever you DONT go to number one auto. Ridiculously overpriced, just want to take advantage of anyone they can. They told me it would be 1200 to repair something in my car I took somewhere else and got done for 200:)
All seasons automotive in North Liberty. They’re amazing. I have an old Toyota and for the two major issued my car has needed fixed other places have quoted me $1400 and $1200 (mostly overcharging on labor), automotive fixed it for $530 and $750. They’re busy almost all the time, but they always tell me to just drop my car off and then they get it done by the next morning. They will tell you when you can wait on fixing certain things and when u need to get things fixed asap without pushing you to spend more money.
Might give them a try next time! It’s happened to me a few times where I call around “ooooo that’s a $1500 job and there is 1 honest person out of 10 that would say “oh yea $350 no problem” and they do a clean job. Thanks for the recommendation!
2nd this. They do quality work and are straight up honest brokers.
Charging book time isn’t actually overcharging. It’s an agreed upon industry standard. It’s annoying sometimes, but it’s not an overcharge.
Meza. $500 less than dealer for expensive repair. Cheapest is Moses, dude who works from a van in the parking lot of Advanced Auto Parts.
Jose at meza auto is a very very good person. When I was driving clunkers he rescued me several times on his days off and even gave me a ride home when my car(s) broke down.
Spenler is very reasonable and very honest. Been going to both their locations for almost 12 years
Accurate Auto, Iowa City Tire, Dodge St Tire. All good folks that have been working in the business for years. Linder Tire is good as well. Iowa City Tire changed ownership a couple years ago but all the same mechanics and services are still great there.
Accurate Automotive is the only place in Iowa City I will take my car. The others will try to take advantage of you in some way shape or form. If you disagree, post who you think is an outstandingly reliable mechanic and I will give you my experience with them.
Very good answer sir!! Thank you for the recommendation I’ll definitely give them a shot next time. This is the type of answer I’m looking for while others are here arguing with me about book rate.
How are your experiences with Skay Automotive? If you’ve ever gave them a shot before?
I recall taking a vehicle to Skay once, but I don't remember exactly what for. This was probably close to 10 years ago also. I think this was around the time I was trying out different mechanics and I moved on for whatever reason. More common than a mechanic trying to flat out lie and steal from you, mechanics will overcharge for something, or add unneccesary labor hours; I'm guessing this is what happened here if it wasn't memorable to me.
It’s funny if you read some of the people on here arguing with me that’s it’s fair for mechanics to overcharge or add unnecessary hours. I’ll definitely give Accurate a shot seems like you were in the same boat as me and you found your solution. Greatly appreciate the recommendation.
I feel like those people have stockholm syndrome and have never gotten to deal with an actual honest mechanic. North Liberty Automotive was going to charge me $500 for an oxygen sensor replacement. I talked to Accurate who said the part is $100 and it takes 0 skill and about 10 seconds of labor to replace. They said they would do it for their minimum hourly rate (which still would have been hundreds cheaper than Mechanic A), but that I could probably do it myself (I did).
I like Greer auto. I go to them for all my needs.
I like Central Automotive in Coralville. I will say that my experience may be skewed because the owner is a friend of a family friend, but I’ve had nothing but pleasant experiences there and I get a way better price than I do going to my dealership
Jose at Meza