Luke @ US Coach and his pricing

[ilyafish]

Hey guys,

I am currently doing the band budget and in that i am factoring in taking my coach to luke at us coach and having him look everything over.

I have an visible oil leak on the engine, but besides that i have nothing noticable wrong with my coach.  So basically im just trying to think of a average dollar amount that it would run for luke to look over my coach.  I know it completely depends on the coach, but lets just assume that there is no major stuff, and maybe one or two minor things.  Again, i just need a guesstimate number for our budget.

[edroelle]

For BUDGET purposes -

Assume that there will be twice as much wrong as originally seen,
that the engine is good and does not need to come out,
that 40 man hours will be spent,
that Luke charges about $125/hr.
that is $500

Now, when I did my budget at the office, I started as above.  Then, I proceeded like I was buying a pair of shoes.  I wear a 9, but a 10 feels so good, I try an 11.

So, knowing my budgeting skills, I would say, double $500 to get $1000, and add $200.

For BUDGET purposes, guess $1200. or call Luke and reduce SOME of the assumptions - like $$/hour.

Ed Roelle

[Kwajdiver]

If the engine is a DD, it's suppost to leak...   Just no way around it.  Just be careful where you park....

Bill
MCI-9  1983

[Sojourner]

Your in very good hand with Luke @ US Coach.

All of what Ed Roelle said and you can get list of what Luke's crew suggested after the inspection. He will go over what it the most important thing to be done first according to your budget limit. Then you have a much better knownledge when you have more money to do whatever other to be done.

Luke is a bus nut friend that I can always count on. Buses is his thing to help the bus nuts world.

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[coachconverter]

Luke's guys do top notch work (Bill and Bill Jr.), I don't know if Luke actually works on them anymore.

They are not cheap, but they are good.  I've had them work on three buses for me and offer the following experiences:

- Whatever timeframe you expect, make it known to them and see if they can meet it.  Even at that, at least double that time frame.  There are 2 guys working there and a fleet of buses outside waiting for them.

- Be VERY SPECIFIC what you want done.  Communications is not their strongest suit, put what you want done in writing and follow up with them several times. I don't say this in a negative way, but if you mention a task or tasks on the phone, it's often forgotten or not done for the sake of timing.  Again, they have a huge line of buses wanting their talent.

- Expect to be very happy with their work, they recently fully serviced two F3500 buses for me and they run and operate like champs.  They even worked out some bugs with traction control and ABS on them, and serviced the gensets too.

In closing, you'll find people that say they will work cheaper, but in the long run you're better off at Luke's, if they can get you into their schedule.

Todd

[coachconverter]

Also, Ed, I think you have an extra 0 in one of your numbers there.  40 hours at $125 is $5000. 

[JohnEd]

IM,

I have been reading this board for three years and in all that time I have heard only one neg comment about Luke and that one was qualified.  Guess that makes his record 100% purrfecto.

John

[Don4107]

I would think the person to ask is Luke.  He will have questions for you too so that you both have a better idea of what to expect.  Nothing like getting it from the horse's mouth.

If it were me and I had a bus that people were depending on for a living, I would start by taking it to him and asking for a thorough inspection and estimate of what to budget for in the coming year.  Repair any thing that needs it now.  Do it every year.  Avoiding one on the road breakdown or missed gig could easily cost more.  But you already knew that.  That is why you are planning ahead now.  Smart!

Good luck
Don 4107

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Elliott,

US Coach is the best place for guy's like us to bring our busses in this area. Why? Because they get it right the first time...

Bill Miller and his son Bill have a firm know how with our kind of busses. I'm talking 10 years to 60 year old busses is their speciality.

Luke is part time now and is still the most knowledgeable bus nut around. My Dad bought his first GM 4104 from Luke when he worked

for Haussman Coach in the 70's.  As far as his labor rate, it's cheap compared to other shops in this area. Heck, My labor rate is more then his..

It's New Jersey Guy's, We pay the most taxes then any other state in the nation...

Good Luck
Nick-
Long live US Coach!

[Gary '79 5C]

IM,
You will not be unsatisfied with US Coach. Very professional, and very customer oriented. As stated previously, you may come with a written list of objectives to be accomplished this visit. Bring old clothes and ask to observe them and ask questions.
I thought I knew some about diesel cars, but they put on a wonderful session of learning for me. I have been going there for four years and never come out feeling fleeced.
Once called them, driving 95 SB thru Richmond with problem and with their direction, I corrected it at the next fuel stop.
Great people in this community, None nicer and more helpful than Luke, Bill & Bill Jr. I only wish I could remember the gentleman who installed my windshield last year.

Good Luck
Gary

[edroelle]

Where did I go to school?  Probably need to go some where else !!!  This confirms that I am  not good at budgeting.

"Also, Ed, I think you have an extra 0 in one of your numbers there.  40 hours at $125 is $5000. "

Ed Roelle

[grantgoold]

Remember, "you get what you pay for"! At Luke's place this is true and then somemore!

There are very few repair shops that have the passion for the Busnuts like Luke and his team. We all need to support people like Luke and his family. I am sure he has done work for busnuts and not charged. May be the reason so many people use Luke and he has more work then many others!

While I live on the right coast, if I lived near the left coast and had to repair my bus, Luke and US Coach would be my first choice.

Grant
Sacramento

[Busted Knuckle]

Remember, "you get what you pay for"! At Luke's place this is true and then somemore!

There are very few repair shops that have the passion for the Busnuts like Luke and his team. We all need to support people like Luke and his family. I am sure he has done work for busnuts and not charged. May be the reason so many people use Luke and he has more work then many others!

While I live on the right coast, if I lived near the left coast and had to repair my bus, Luke and US Coach would be my first choice.

Grant
Sacramento

Grant your map is upside down! You my friend live on the LEFT coast while Luke, Nick & others are on the right coast! LOL! I am not even going to get into a wrong or correct coast debate LOL!   BK 

[johns4104s]

I have done business with Luke and other companies for 20 plus years. With Luke and Bill you know what your getting, they ask enough questions to be sure its the right part. They are the best.

John

[HB of CJ]

Is Luke and his bunch at US Coach located either in Chico or Chino?  Are they THE CROWN COACH people?  If soos, then nobody else would even touch my Crown-To-Be except them.   And, $1000 bucks for a complete look/see/maintenance would be money very well spent.  HB of CJ