Laning gear shock discs replacement

[Guest]

So what do you guys think is a reasonable parts mark up when the shop has the parts in stock?

Clarence

Edited May 31, 2016 by M20Doc

[jetdriven]

2 hours ago, M20Doc said:

So what do you guys think is a reasonable parts mark up when the shop has the parts in stock?

Clarence

IDK, I've never seen a shop with major parts in stock. They call "bill at aviall" and they tell him you need some donuts, and all the pieces for a cylinder re-ring job and it shows up 4 days later.   

 

Stuff that's in stock, such as a slick magneto cool that lets a guy complete his cross country trip? 30% is too cheap. 

Edited May 31, 2016 by jetdriven

[1524J]

2 hours ago, jetdriven said:

I just bought 8.  The Nose gear ones have very little weight on them and they are still highly compressed when installed. 

I stacked my new nose gear discs next to the ones I pulled and there was no difference in height. It was at least a 1/2 inch difference on the mains. All mine were 20 years old so it was time for new all the way around. 

[RLCarter]

I would hope that a "shop" isn't paying retail for their parts, with that said i general priced my stock at retail. I always told my customers they were free to shop around for a better deal or I could have them out by the end of the day. Aviation is strange market that I'm trying to get my head wrapped around (working with an A&P/IA) and on getting a functional parts dept. for both aircraft in for service and over the counter sales

[1524J]

2 hours ago, M20Doc said:

So what do you guys think is a reasonable parts mark up when the shop has the parts in stock?

Clarence

I'd say 15% - 20% but I'm charter member of the CB club. I would also factor in the overall price of the product. Charging 35% to 40% of the cost of an oil filter wouldn't bother me as much as paying $140 a piece for 11 shock discs when I know the shop paid $90.

[Guest]

31 minutes ago, RLCarter said:

I would hope that a "shop" isn't paying retail for their parts, with that said i general priced my stock at retail. I always told my customers they were free to shop around for a better deal or I could have them out by the end of the day. Aviation is strange market that I'm trying to get my head wrapped around (working with an A&P/IA) and on getting a functional parts dept. for both aircraft in for service and over the counter sales

Sadly the Home Depot effect is allive and well in aviation, many suppliers charge anyone who will buy the same price.  Shock discs from Spruce allow me a few dollars "profit" over what anyone can buy them for, however if you want the ones from my shelf you"ll have to pay more.  

In many cases the government makes more from its 13% tax than the shop owner is going to make.

Clarence

[RLCarter]

Clarence as you well know supply and demand also dictate the price the market will handle. I would venture to say that the disks are outsourced by Lords which just adds to the cost. Back in the 80's I had a customer walk in looking for a widget, I reached behind me and flipped one onto the counter and said $10.95, customer said he could get it across town for $9.95. I told that was a good deal and to go buy one there, he said they were out of stock, which I replied "oh, I sell mine for $8.95 when I don't have any"

[OR75]

there was a thread in this forum about how to built a tool to replace the nose wheel shock discs. The mains do not require a tool since the weight of the aircraft is sufficient to compress the mounts.

Can anyone send a link to that thread ?  

[Deb]

I think it's this one: 

 

[pirate]

Really no need to buy, build or rent any nose gear tool. 

This has worked for me many times. Use a tow strap or equivalent and a long 3/8 extension and keep twisting tight  till you can get it together. 

[Yooper Rocketman]

Here's old vs. new on my mains.  

Tom

[Zwaustin]

Cost me 1700 for all of them with install on a 79 231 

[Yooper Rocketman]

 

 

On 5/30/2016 at 10:18 PM, M20Doc said:

Sadly the Home Depot effect is allive and well in aviation, many suppliers charge anyone who will buy the same price.  Shock discs from Spruce allow me a few dollars "profit" over what anyone can buy them for, however if you want the ones from my shelf you"ll have to pay more.  

In many cases the government makes more from its 13% tax than the shop owner is going to make.

Clarence

A couple quick comments on the new pucks.  First off, I bought them from Don Maxwell, the price was fair, and I got the right ones and quick.  I like supporting our MSC's whenever I can, as they won't be in business if we only use them for "captive" parts.  He had them shipped from Aviall direct (to save me time) and they included Don's invoice in the package..........really?  I would be pissed as a dealer to have my customers getting my invoice.  I'm in the retail business and would never sell parts for the skinny margin he did to me.  It's clearly unfortunate the aviation manufacturers don't do a better job protecting their dealers on pricing, allowing a reasonable margin for resale.  My OEM does, and even on really high volume parts, with lots of competition, we routinely get far better margins than I saw here.  With the small market our MSC's have to sell to, they should be getting better margins!

During my taxi out for my flight test, I DID detect a slightly better ride.  In addition, when I finished up the annual and dropped it off the jacks, I went back to remove my tail tie down and it had serious tension on it.  Enough I had to remove the 4 big RR rails (@ 100 lbs. each) and block up the plate to remove it.  I must have gained at least 2" of tail height.  The chain had enough slack in it when I hooked it up before the annual to link the chain loops with a union.

Tom

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Yooper Rocketman said:

 

 

A couple quick comments on the new pucks.  First off, I bought them from Don Maxwell, the price was fair, and I got the right ones and quick.  I like supporting our MSC's whenever I can, as they won't be in business if we only use them for "captive" parts.  He had them shipped from Aviall direct (to save me time) and they included Don's invoice in the package..........really?  I would be pissed as a dealer to have my customers getting my invoice.  I'm in the retail business and would never sell parts for the skinny margin he did to me.  It's clearly unfortunate the aviation manufacturers don't do a better job protecting their dealers on pricing, allowing a reasonable margin for resale.  My OEM does, and even on really high volume parts, with lots of competition, we routinely get far better margins than I saw here.  With the small market our MSC's have to sell to, they should be getting better margins!

During my taxi out for my flight test, I DID detect a slightly better ride.  In addition, when I finished up the annual and dropped it off the jacks, I went back to remove my tail tie down and it had serious tension on it.  Enough I had to remove the 4 big RR rails (@ 100 lbs. each) and block up the plate to remove it.  I must have gained at least 2" of tail height.  The chain had enough slack in it when I hooked it up before the annual to link the chain loops with a union.

Tom

Wow Tom,

What a refreshing view.  Thanks!

It seems the general consensus here is many  shops are crooks in what they charge for parts.   In my 33 years in the business I've seen margins whittled away to almost nothing thanks to all the online sellers offering the same price to anyone with a credit card.

I recently lost a client because his prop overhaul was too much, even offering the prop at my cost (provided him a copy of the invoice ) it was still too much for him.  Some people are never happy.

Have a great weekend,

Clarence

 

[Ned Gravel]

Clarence:

In my business as well as yours, reputation comes first.  Money follows.  If you lost a client because your (at cost) price was too much for him, then you might be OK with their departure.  Your shop provides competent, quality service at a reasonable price.  I know this because we both know there were days when keeping up with the cost of maintaining C-FSWR was a struggle for me.  

Not anymore, and that is not the reason I go to your shop anyway.

You are the reason.  Your dedication.  Your business ethic.  Your love of what you do.  Your desire to get it done right, even when your own guys are feeling guilty because you have pointed out what they missed.

There are very few maintenance organizations I have met with that type of reputation.  Maxwell, Dugosh, SWTA, LASAR, and Tri-City are less common than you may believe, but there are many of us who want you all to succeed at doing what you do and staying in business.  

We need you.  Our aircraft need you.  Keep the good customers.  If you fret over the others, it will cause you unnecessary grief.

[FloridaMan]

Phil at KAVO is probably who I'd have do mine here in FL. I consider the shock discs to be one of those repairs that you should have somebody who's got a lot of experience with Mooneys do. 

Edited June 11, 2016 by Antares

[RLCarter]

Replacing the disk was the 1st thing I did to my E, was a little spendy due to the fact they had never been replaced and I had to get the updated parts from LASAR to get the new style disks to work. Actual work wast that bad, I fabricated my own compression tool due to the fact they wanted stupid money to buy one (could have rented one but I like having the tools on hand when I need them). Local A&P looked over my shoulder while I did the nose gear, said he'd come back in a few hours to check my work, by the time he got back I was done. He now uses my shock disk tool instead of renting one, says its easier to use and quicker than what he had been using.