DOes each MB service center have to follow the same flat rate book for service. I can understand a different hourly rate, but how can a job be written up as 1 hour at one dealer and 2.5 hours at another dealer.
THis sounds illegal since the second guy cannot be taking 2 hours to do what the other guy does in one??

 

This is unfortunate but a reality in any service industry. It can be dependent on the facility, the technician, the booker, all these elements. We have may op-codes and you can combine many or ignore them. Sometimes in diagnostics, you may be charged for a technicians lack of experience. I can figure out an audio complaint on a 2003 e class in 15-20 minutes and the inexperienced tech can take 4-5 hrs. I may charge 1-2 hrs and he may charge 2-3 hrs. Most places, the techs have some say about labor times. Sucks