Especially ATVs. Some are royal in the backside just to even remove a carburetor or any engine work. Today's automobiles are just as bad due the tight engine compartments. The one I just finished I have spent over 6 hrs on and billing for only 3 hrs. This don't even include the time I spent hunting the parts. Some of this I can chalk to the learning curve as I am teaching myself these repairs.
Customers do expect cheap repairs even on the $7000 - $10,000 ATVs just because I work out of a shop at my home. Most times my costs are even higher due to being a small shop.
Now when it comes to the Chinese stuff it is extra difficult due lack information as you got to figure what they cloned plus where and if you can get the parts. Plus when it comes to handhelds equipment they tightly packed, making even more difficult to repair. I recently had the displeasure of working on an Echo CS330T chainsaw. It took over two hours just to get the engine out the case so I could disassemble it. Not too bad though as it was the first time for one. Now that I know how they come apart it would not take as long next time.
Those curve shafts are so cheap around here they not even worth fixing as replacement cost are less. At Walmart I seen as low as $68 and my starting labor is $43.80/hr plus parts. Does not take long to exceed replacement cost.
So far I haven't seen any Chinese chainsaws but there will be the day that I will. I already hearing about them here.
