360 Is it ok to ask for a service estimate?

No, its still a car you are paying for service on -- you should get an estimate before approving any work. That said, any shop is also going to add a caveat that "we may find more worth doing as we take it apart and we will discuss as it unfolds".

 

For many independent shops, the “only” reason they do not like to give out exact quotes is for suspicion that the caller is just price shopping. Many shops have different protocols as to what they consider a “belt service” and can range from $1,500 up to $5,000 depending on what work is done in conjunction to just a belt swap, so some shops will lose potential clients by throwing the higher quote out.

The only thing you should really look at is labor rate, as most of the parts will be competitive between shops. And of course with other labor industries, you often get what you pay for.

 

I always ask for a quote and a discount for being in the FOC, it's just a car service at the end of the day.

 

It is incumbent on the shop to explain what they see as the basic job and explain what the variables may be when providing and estimate. If they are reluctant or "inconvenienced" by the question then I would cross them off the list. In my shop I have no problem explaining to my clients what to expect and what can also be "uncovered" while attempting to do the designated work. It's part of the job of owning a business. Don't let these guys make you feel like you haven't any options.

Don't want to deal with clients legitimate questions?-- then go work for someone and pass the responsibility off to the "boss".

As for the cost. I recently paid a highly qualified independent shop $1819.00 to replace the belts and the bearings. The parts (from Ricambi America) were $1109.09 which included both the Alternator belt and the Power steering belt (as a "while we're in there") things.

It may be a little more now as that was in 2020.

 

I have been in the car business for near 50 years and disagree 100%

When people ask my hourly rate I know they are price shoppers and often just blow them off. If not I ask if they want an hour of my time or they want a complete job.
Fact is I bill less hours than a single one of my competitors. I have no idea what takes them so long but hourly rate means nothing. Classic bait and switch material. It was no different in the nearly 40 years working in the Bay Area so your neighborhood is no different.

An experienced shop knows within 30 seconds if it is a tire kicker or a serious inquiry from a good potential customer. In the next 2 minutes you need to understand what the customer really wants because the long time terminology has been so butchered largely by the internet and he can be given an estimate. My one requirement is typically I want to at least see the car first.

 

Find a different shop. That one failed his 1st test.

 

Furnace Replacement => Estimate
Window Replacement => Estimate
Hardwood Floors => Estimate
2018 Porsche 911 out of warranty service => Estimate
2016 Hellcat out of warranty service => Estimate
Rolex Daytona service => Estimate

Why would a Ferrari be any different? And so what if you are shopping around and getting quotes/estimates? If the provider is confident in their service quality and pricing then they should welcome someone shopping around - and if they choose the "cheaper" option then so be it - you generally get what you pay for.

My Ferrari Dealer always provides an estimate without me even asking - WITH the caveat (especially for the 355) that they could encounter some thing(s) that could skew the estimate - even in those cases they contact me with an estimate of whatever the anomaly is and options to move forward/decline or options.

Just my .02 but the adage of "if you have to ask you can't afford it" is asinine IMHO - Cheers

 

I once asked for a labor hours quote, didn't ask the hourly rate, and was told 10 hours or less. Had car towed over there, and the hours nearly doubled to 19.5. No extra work whatsoever, just the exact jobs I was looking to get done. I grinned and beared it, but won't ever go back.