I think I'm getting ripped off by my garage. I went to check out the AC on my 96 Sunfire and was quoted what I consider to be an extremely high amount for an AC compressor.

What is the average for just a compressor part? I tried googling, but since I dont know much about car parts I couldnt decide if I was looking at the right thing

Anyone have any guesstimates?

8/3/2006 7:48:21 PM

Gee, the dollar figure they gave you would be a great piece of information for people to see if you're getting ripped.

8/3/2006 7:50:46 PM

hey asshole, they could quote me $4,000 and I wouldnt be the wiser

im trying to be an informed consumer and know exactly what i'm getting

thanks for the helpful advice tho


and they quoted me $600 for parts and labor, thankyouverymuch

[Edited on August 3, 2006 at 7:54 PM. Reason : ]

8/3/2006 7:54:15 PM

I think that sounds reasonable.

8/3/2006 8:01:44 PM

If you were to buy it yourself over the counter at a parts store, expect to pay anywhere from 300 to 500 dolla, depending on the model of compressor.

Now, if a shop is gonna install one, and they are gonna provide the part, then expect to pay between 400 and 650 or so.

Shops mark up parts prices (they in effect are the end seller, and those are their retail prices).

Shops may or may not let you bring in your own part. If they do, then your labor charge will likely go up accordingly...and they may not honor any warranty on the work, as they have no control over where the parts come from in this case and cannot guarantee their quality. This is also why some shops will ONLY install parts that they acquire through their own suppliers. It's also for liability reasons.

Why do shops mark their parts up? Several reasons: (a) To cover their procurement time and efforts. (b) because their profit margins may be inadequate on their labor alone, and it's easier for the consumer to stomach a more distributed profit.

It's NOT cheap to run a shop, and AC repair, while very profitable when done correctly and successfully, has one of the highest overheads of all shop services. It's also one of the most tightly EPA-regulated, and these costs have to be passed on to the consumer if the shop intends to stay in business.

True, there are some shady AC shops that do cheap work or gouge you on parts, but all reputable shops will do good work, offer a warranty on their work, and will charge accordingly.

I'd say you're getting out cheap for $600 for parts AND labor.

[Edited on August 3, 2006 at 8:04 PM. Reason : good price. take it.]

8/3/2006 8:03:26 PM

wow i got mine for about 400 for parts (including the refridgerant and oil and shit)

the labor is free however

8/3/2006 8:25:47 PM

that is also not an easy compressor to change 2 hrs minimum labor out the door on that job

8/3/2006 9:13:33 PM

thanks for the helpful advice

now i just gotta figure out if its worth it

8/4/2006 7:53:07 AM

after going for a couple of weeks without ac i'll tell you its damn well worth it
i near about fainted driving yesterday from the heat while i had both windows down

8/4/2006 8:07:42 AM