Fixed price servicing is a non-sense; even at the same point in a service cycle, no two bikes require the exact same jobs to be performed. More to the point, performing the exact same jobs on two different bikes will take different amounts of time.
So, whilst fixed price servicing is ostensibly designed to give customers confidence in what they’re getting (and what the bill will be), it actually reduces transparency and only ensures 3 things:
- You (and your bike) don’t receive the individual service you require (and deserve);
- If your bike is an ‘easy job’, you get poor value, or
- If your bike is a ‘tough job’, the work will be rushed (or some things won’t get done at all).
At Commuter Cycles, we have a simple and transparent system built on comprehensive estimates, an hourly labour rate and an ongoing dialogue between the customer and mechanic.
The actual price of each service has two components:
- labour, which is charged in 15 minute increments, and
- parts, which are all itemised.
The labour component of your invoice includes a detailed description of the work carried out; none of which will come as a surprise to you because it will have been agreed upon and estimated beforehand.
If, while we’re working on your bike, it becomes apparent that significant additional work or parts are required, we’ll OK it with you first.
We can operate in this way because our estimates are based on a physical assessment of the bike when it’s dropped off, in addition to its service history and any problems you bring to our attention. Simple really.
The bottom line is: we’re not the cheapest, we’re by no means the most expensive, but we believe we’re the best value bike workshop in Melbourne.
