I have a number of customers that for what ever reason require their PMs done on a certain schedule, like when they have a "down day" and don't need the trucks that 1 day a month, or when the ship is in port. We don't consider this to be "when we are needing something to fill our day" but a -scheduled- service that MUST get done on the scheduled date (after all, we said we would be there at the proper time and date), We do NOT charge more, but these dates are scheduled for a year in advance. This is not quite the same as "at our convenience and only when we are in the area" but it is a _scheduled_ service, and not a breakdown service. We also charge the same (prevailing) labor rate as breakdown service for anything we repair at the same time.

Some customers want an on demand PM meaning that when they have an problem with the forklift truck, like a no start, they want the PM done immediately so they can save on travel time. We then explain to the customer that the reason the pm rates are so low is that we do them at our convenience and only when we are in the area otherwise a PM would cost $250.00

Here in N.Y.C. if you want a P.M. done a.s.a.p. than you are getting charged travel. If not than its when I can get to you. Could be same day could be next week. All depends on the schedule. Normal O.M. witch is lube , oil change & filter , blow out and check all fliuds and safty items runs about $ 165.00 - $170.00. Depending on the size of the machine.

Yes our PM's are agreements, not contracts. It's amazing how some people pick up on every word.
I don't know of anyone who charges travel time on a PM. We also allow up to 1.5 hours on an IC truck and 1 hour to 1.25 hours on an electric.
However a customer has not made a commitment by signing an agreement then we treat the same as a service call.

I do PM's without any contract and just let the customer know how often they should be done according to how the truck is used. I do them at my convenience and don't charge any travel fee. Regular hourly rate for labor. Usually 1.5 hours, more if needed.

The word "contract" when speaking of a PM _agreement_ is somewhat of a misnomer, since it would be a very rare place where the PM is actually a contract (not easily broken), and not an agreement (where you can call and cancel at anytime and at a moment's whim or with a month's notice).
I would love to have you write me off-list (my e-mail contact is easily found in my profile, just click on my name) and let me know who in So. Florida's forklift repair community would act like this.

I think that you are mistaking "On demand" general service for a planned maintenance contract. If you are on a contract then it is a flat rate for labor plus parts.
I believe all forklift truck service companies charge travel time or a zone charge for any call that it not a PM. If you think about it it costs a company more for the technician to drive somewhere than it does to perform the actual service. So if you are not on a contract then I think that the charge is reasonable.

its a Toyota 7fgcu15 3,000lb propane with 1,742 hours.

its 2 hours labor (45 mins of work), the rest travel time. at $85/hr $170.

i called and told c.s. there was an error but no, they get you on travel time as a full billable hour.

Plus oils, grease, tax and fuel surcharge. total $275.00

Most companies will quote PM's on the type of equipment (as mentioned above normally 1 - 1.5 Hrs), gas trucks are typically less, but have more parts billed. Unless you have a specialized unit, or they changed a lot of parts (some air filters are pricey), I would question the invoice.

Most PM's in Ohio are usually no more then $60.00 flat plus parts and we get 1.2 to 1.5 hr. on electrics and 1.5 to 3.0 hr. on IC's depending on size. The more units we have on PM's the cheaper it gets per customer. Some customers even have special PM rates with lowered labor rates and no service call charge.
I think your getting bent over, I'd love to read your PM agreement and meet the company that has the nuts to charge this kind of rate.
Most companys send out trainee rookies for the first 3 years to do nothing but spin filters and then they send in senior techs for break downs,repairs and quotes.
We have assigned customers and we handle it all, I've seen back up techs thrown out of customers because the customer didn't know who they were and only want 1 tech there to do it all, which does make it hard on us sometimes when we get backed up and need help to cover service calls. I'd re-read your agreement and fire your current provider.

Was that $275 for labor PLUS parts?