To clarify: my complaint - a rip off - was due to the 300% price difference on the exact same Moog part. I have no issue with this shop's labour charges, shop supply charges.
That this shop manager felt it necessary to slander RA to justify his 300% markup was both juvenile, and unnecessary .
I would have allowed this shop to proceed with the complete wheel hub repair if they had a more reasonable markup on the part, 100% to 150% would have been okay IN MY OPINION - given that they do have to warranty the full work. This shop does not stock the part, it would have to be ordered, so don't cry about his carrying costs!
FWIW, I did accept to have this shop do $ 263 CAD in work for replacing a worn rear knuckle bushing - a job for which I did not have the proper tools, and ironically in this repair, his price of the part was $ 41 CAD, compared to what I could source myself for $29 CAD, so they have a variable markup system for parts?
To the BITOG's that are working in the trade, managing a auto repair business, supplying the automotive repair trade, I do respect that these businesses have no reason to bend their rules to please the DIY crowd, when they make enough business from the majority of car owners that don't know cars or don't want to get their hands dirty. My opinion is just that, I voted to decline the wheel hub repair quote with my own DIY knowledge & ability.
So I clearly offended some of you in the repair trade, but I am - and many other DIY BITOG's are not your typical target customers in the first place. If nothing else, this post serves to verify the savings to be had by purchasing the tools, develop the skills to DIY.
To why I selected Moog parts for this 2009 Ford Flex? well the brand had the RA heart emoji, it came with a 3 year / 36k mile warranty, and was priced in the mid point relative to SKF / TIMKEN brands that didn't have a 3 year warranty. Maybe I made the wrong choice, but having worked for 24 years in the Automotive industry, I know that all assemblies with moving pieces have a small potential for premature failure. How the brand covers the end consumer for these failures influences my decision to continue to support them or not.
I thank you all for sharing your opinions, regardless if you agree or not with my observations.
Ken