10/04/2026
I recently worked on a 2017 GMC Sierra with close to 200,000 miles. According to the customer, the spark plugs had never been changed.
For reference, the book labor time for replacing the 8 spark plugs is approximately 2–2.5 hours. I charged for only 2 hours of labor, it took 3 hours. My rate is $125hr which is half of the local shops. So the total was $250 for removal and installation of all 8 spark plugs. + $50 diagnosis fee makes it $300.
Before I even saw the truck, based off of what I was told I knew it needed coil packs possibly from experience. I explained that we should start with the cheapest and most logical repair first, especially after finding out the plugs had never been replaced. So I did that and another diagnostic scan. And it was still missing.
Once I removed the plugs, I found the coil boots were extremely dry-rotted and literally falling apart. I explained the situation to the customer, and he asked me to replace the affected wire going to that coil pack and I told him one other wire I had concerns about to the back firewall passenger side that every other mechanic skips and says they did it because they suck to do.
But then he ask me to use the money he had just paid me for the spark plug job. Because he was short needed to give his wife money or something.
Because I know this person from around town, I agreed to it, and to work with him on the rest of the repairs also why I was giving him such a deal. This was last Sunday.
The customer told me they would be out of town for the day, so I told him to simply reimburse me for the parts on Monday when he returned and I will give him an estimate on labor for 8 coil packs. And I didn’t charge extra for replacement of that wire that came out of the money I was supposed to be making .He agreed.
Monday came and went. I didn’t hear anything.
I waited until Friday afternoon because I was trying to be patient and give him the benefit of the doubt.
Also as a small business owner keep in mind this was one of only 3 jobs I got the entire month of September it was a slow month.
In the meantime, I had already gone back to the vehicle multiple times to continue diagnosing the problem. I scoped the vehicle, performed a full diagnostic scan again with my professional diagnostic equipment, and narrowed the problem down to the exact cylinders that were misfiring. Almost 6 unpaid hours of diagnosing.
6 out of the 8 cylinders were showing misfires. Some with over 300,500,&800 records of misfires on a graph.
That diagnostic work alone is something I normally charge $100 for and takes roughly a hour to a hour and a half. I charged him only $50, which is half of my normal diagnostic fee, because I was trying to help and I really needed the work.
I didn’t plan for 6 hrs of diagnostics and multiple trips however I also did $300 worth of reprogramming and recalibrations and never said nothing because I was gonna explain with a detailed bill showing him how much money I saved him. Also I gave him almost $4-$500 in extras as a surprise but I wasn’t afforded the opportunity to show my kindness.
The customer ultimately decided to do the coil pack replacement himself.
And honestly, this is the part that bothers me.
I was willing to install all 8 coil packs for approximately $150–$200 in labor, on top of the spark plug job. A dealership quote was between $1,200–$1,500 for the spark plugs and all 8 coil packs.
I was trying to save this customer a substantial amount of money.
Instead, I feel like my knowledge, equipment, time, and willingness to help were used to diagnose the vehicle so the customer could then take that information and do the repair themselves — while I never received payment for the diagnostic work I was partially paid for the spark plugs job.
I don’t bitch or complain often but.
That’s what pi**es me off.
I’m not upset that someone wants to save money or learn how to work on their own vehicle. I’m actually all for it. Coil packs aren’t necessarily difficult, and I was even willing to recommend YouTube videos and guide the customer through the repair at no additional charge.
What bothers me is that I didn’t get the same consideration that I gave.
I went above and beyond because that’s how I operate. I don’t just throw parts at a vehicle. I diagnose the problem, find the most cost-effective solution, and try to save my customers as much money as possible.
I’m charging a fraction of what dealerships charge, and I stand behind my work with a 90-day craftsmanship warranty.
I also spend my own time, fuel, and money helping people when I don’t have to. And most of the time i don’t have the funds to do so but i always try to do what i can because I know God has my back and there are people that genuinely need help.
I understand that people struggle. I understand that people have bills. I’ve been there I am there every day, week, and month of the year you ain’t alone.
But when someone tells me they’re struggling financially while I’m already cutting my diagnostic fee in half, making multiple trips, using expensive professional diagnostic equipment, and spending my own money on parts — while they’re driving multiple vehicles and living in a $350K–$500K home — it’s hard not to feel taken advantage of.
I’m not stupid. I’m not a fool. And I’m not going to apologize for expecting to be paid for my time, knowledge, equipment, fuel, and work.
I started doing this because I genuinely enjoy helping people. I want people to keep their vehicles on the road, keep their businesses running, and keep food on their tables.
But at the end of the day, I have a family and bills too.
Taking advantage of someone’s kindness isn’t okay.
I’m an honest mechanic. I try to treat people fairly, charge reasonable prices, and do quality work. I go out of my way for people because that’s the kind of person I am.
But experiences like this are exactly why small businesses have to start putting boundaries in place.
From now on, diagnostic fees, parts, and labor will be handled upfront or according to agreed-upon terms before additional work is performed.
I’m still going to help people.
I’m still going to give people fair prices.
I’m still going to stand behind my work.
But I’m also going to make sure that my time and my business are respected.
Because kindness is not an invitation to take advantage of someone.
Support your local small businesses. We aren’t dealerships. We don’t have corporate backing. When you don’t pay us, it comes directly out of our family’s pocket.
