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Flexible Mechanic
updated: Oct 19, 2012, 9:46 AM

Can anyone recommend an auto mechanic or repair service that will install a customer supplied part. I have been slowly replacing parts on my 12 year old volvo and I have been able to locate some fine pre-owned parts on ebay and at local salvage yards. Some I have installed myself and now I need to have a part installed by a pro. Any suggestions??

Places People Are Talking About:

Dave Scholl	Ken Symer's	Milano Motors
Precision Autoparts

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 333189	2012-10-19 09:59 AM
Sears Auto Center often offers free installation. Possibly they'll install your supplied part at no charge. You may want to give the mechanic a 25 cent tip or 50 cents if you feel that you received great service without any attitude.
COMMENT 333190	2012-10-19 10:01 AM
C&S Automotive did so me for a couple of months ago, although they were new parts. I am REALLY happy with their work. 692-2618
COMMENT 333191	2012-10-19 10:03 AM
I think just about any mechanic would, but may just charge a increased labor fee, since the are making money of the parts the sell you... I would check out Dave @ Classis Design on Milpas... Honest and not over priced.
COMMENT 333194	2012-10-19 10:06 AM
i second sears. if you go at 12ish, the mechanic will also split his lunch with you.
COMMENT 333195	2012-10-19 10:07 AM
Your intentions may seem Ok, but, sadly, in case of a failure, the installer must accept responsibility. 12 years is NOT old for a Volvo. If you install a part and it's defective, you've got noone to blame but yourself. If you're not capable of doing so, find a professional and let them supply and install the part. You'll be saving yourself (and your installer) a LOT of grief in the long run.
COMMENT 333202	2012-10-19 10:14 AM
Try Precision. Dan is the best!
REXOFSB	2012-10-19 10:19 AM
Isn't this about the time that someone recommends taking an auto maintenance class at SBCC?
COMMENT 333205	2012-10-19 10:22 AM
@REXOFSB: That was the good ole' days. Now the CC Class costs more than the mechanic.
COMMENT 333214	2012-10-19 10:35 AM
If I was a mechanic - I would not touch U with a 40 foot pole - used parts - Come on -
COMMENT 333216P	2012-10-19 10:36 AM
I have a 2001 Volvo V70. I buy my own parts online and have Richard (Richard's mobile service) do the work. Depending on the complexity of the repair, he will fix it in my driveway or at his shop space(in Goleta). He knows all about Volvo's - A very nice man, fair price. 805-698-4165. Tell him Mike on Modoc sent you!
COMMENT 333218	2012-10-19 10:41 AM
Tim at "TOP CAT AUTO" will use my own oil and filter for changes. He has steered me away from using my own parts because he won't offer his free full replacement guaranted if my part fails. He will however, install my sepcial request parts that he gets from his own vendor, give me a discount on everything and also stand behind the whole job guarantee. TOP CAT AUTO 4235 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93110 (805) 964-2957
COMMENT 333224	2012-10-19 10:46 AM
I for one had the worst experience of my life regarding my Volvo at Top Cat Auto. Tim is a nice person but wasn't able to fix my car problem. Though he was able to give me a labor bill for $400.
SEEDLADY	2012-10-19 10:54 AM
I think anyone would do this with new parts, but as far as working with used parts? (why?...) Are you talking body parts or mechanical parts? My late hubs did all our oil changes, air filters, belts etc. so he had a small inventory of parts. My Toyota repair shop, Toyworx in Grover Beach, used the oil filters and remaining oil till they were gone. Reliable, pleasant, factory trained shop and darned nice folks to boot.
COMMENT 333236	2012-10-19 11:06 AM
Most of them will, but will not warranty the work, will likely overcharge you to make up for their lost margin and will give you the stinkeye the whole time.
COMMENT 333243	2012-10-19 11:20 AM
FYI - the typical markup on parts by a repair shop is 300%. They make a lot of their money on the parts. Never accept the first price they quote, always ask for several part options since there are almost always multiple choices of manufactures and price. And if you have an expensive import, make sure you get OEM parts.
COMMENT 333246	2012-10-19 11:26 AM
Bologna! The typical margins at a repair shop are 50% (100% markup), the same as auto parts stores and most any retail store. 300% markup! Ha! Do you think this is a jewelry store?
COMMENT 333274	2012-10-19 12:15 PM
Depends on what the parts are. If its a bracket for a power steering pump, I don't see why anyone would have a problem with it. If it is a used hub power steering pump, NO shop would guarantee it will work/won't leak. Most shops won't guarantee work done with new parts you supply, simply because they trust the parts that they themselves get (if they are a good shop). For any general repair/maintenance, I always recommend C&S. BTW, 243's statement is BS. I used to work supplying parts to a shop, and their markup is nowhere near that high for replacement parts. For an oil filter, maybe. But if they are getting an oil filter for $1.50, and sell it to you for $3.00, they are still supplying it CHEAPER than most auto parts stores.
COMMENT 333322	2012-10-19 01:39 PM
Oh yeah.... go to Sears after hours and they'll be glad to hang around, do the work for free with parts you bought elsewhere and buy you dinner afterwards too.
COMMENT 333376	2012-10-19 03:13 PM
Wendell at Milano Motors on La Patera in Goleta
COMMENT 333389	2012-10-19 03:50 PM
Why so dense, people? There are many original parts that are astronomically priced by the dealer, NLA (no longer available) from the OEM, and/or the new aftermarket parts are of poor quality, such that using a good used part is the only thing that makes sense. Try finding a brand new, OEM chassis part (like a suspension pick-up bracket) from a 10-15 year old car/truck. Good luck. OP, what is the part you need installed?
COMMENT 333391	2012-10-19 03:53 PM
At the local salvage yard,they should remember you.
COMMENT 333501P	2012-10-19 08:28 PM
Dave Scholl Automotive on Quinientos. Specialist in Volvos, good guy.
COMMENT 333550P	2012-10-20 08:19 AM
Check with Ken Symer's, very savvy, they will come right out and tell you if it's the best replacement part for this situation, or if another, new or salvaged, part would be better.
COMMENT 333553	2012-10-20 08:36 AM
A good shop will install customer supplied new parts or used parts, if they are in good condition, at the regular labor rate for the job. They will not warranty the parts or the labor on customer supplied parts. I don't trust C&S to do any work on my car.
COMMENT 333605	2012-10-20 11:54 AM
I never had a mechanic refuse to install my own part, and when I drove cars that were hard to get parts for (like a 30 yr old Studebaker, or especially a 12+ year old 1972 Volvo I used to have back from the bad old days of European cars) most preferred not to have to be bothered with spending hours on the phone tracking down obscure parts from people they did not know personally - they loved it when I supplied my own parts, and all would guarentee the workmanship though not the quality of the part.
COMMENT 333956	2012-10-21 03:22 PM
I agree that Dave Scholl is the best Volvo shop and the most resonably priced. Precision or Swedish will find a zillion other things "wrong" with your car that need fixing. I made a comparison when I first moved to town about 9 years ago because I needed work done on two older Volvos. I found Scholl to be the most straightforward - he didn't try balloon things up. He's not the most talkative or effusive person - kind of low key and emotionless, but he is honest and reliable and knows what he he is doing!