Let me clear something up.
TReK
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 6
From: Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
IMHO the more modern vehicles have been designed to keep a captive market of customers coming to the dealership, providing a steady background of service revenue, while new sales can be expected to fluctuate. This made great sense to some high level management, but they forgot to factor in the "customers vote with their wallets" principal, the prices are so high the maintenance is just skipped. On leased cars this was killing BMW, so they (and others) started the all inclusive lease. But the poor old hulks that were ignored by their previous owners eventually filter down to the bottom feeders like me, and we start the process of trying to squeeze some life back into them. If it wasn't for those high prices, and previous owners that had fiscal conversions (lay offs), we would not have affordable posh previously pampered sheet metal.
Think of the dealer as the "hospital staff specialist", and the indy shop as the "family doctor", and the DIY as the pharmacy aisle at the store. Each one can deal with something like indigestion. But the specialist will charge more.
Think of the dealer as the "hospital staff specialist", and the indy shop as the "family doctor", and the DIY as the pharmacy aisle at the store. Each one can deal with something like indigestion. But the specialist will charge more.
I tell people all the time that with the right tools and know-how, even an accountant(no offense intended) can rebuild a tranny. But I don't recommend it to everyone. Some people just need to get the job done by a pro. In my town, there aren't any pros(that I know of) outside of the Ford dealership here(I do not work in shops anymore, fleet work only). So I am always telling my friends to fix it themselves, bring it to me, or if I don't have the time or desire, take it to Ford.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
From: Golden, CO
The mechanics abilities are always in question when their motives are to persuade the owner of problems he/she does not have. Also why is it that dealership mechanics can never pinpoint a problem. How many times have you heard a dealership tell you or a friend that they can't find the problem you are talking about. ASE test takers does not make a perfect mechanically inclined person. I'm sure they get it right about 50% of the time. But it is the motives for the dealership's profits that bother me. Plus these mechanics are too used to changeing cabin filters and trying to figure out why a light bulb does not work. They do not get to really tear down or rebuild. Most of that stuff is sent out to other mechanics who are often called local or shadetree. My brother's business performs most of the transmission work for the dealerships around Charlotte, NC. Walk into any dealership garage and look at the jobs they are performing. This one over here needs a surpentine, and this one a tailight. Oh yeah this one over here is really confuseing us. The owner says it doesn't start when hot, but it never happens to us. How about just giving the vehicle back to the owner and saying we couldn't find a problem. Not the answer. I would rather spend my money on a hillbilly repair than get swindled. And of course the dealerships never lie to you.
And the old and used part I am installing.
In the last week I have replaced a fuel tank on a 02 A6 (nightmare rustbucket car which broke 3 siezed bolts on the axle, got Audi to cover it as it was part of a recall), huge nightmare A3 with some wierd fuel pressure issues. Spent 16 hours on the fuel tank car and 21 so far on the A3. As these cars get more complex so does the diagnosis and repairs.
Most technicians I know are intelligent, with the exception we all torture ourselves by working for some billionaire cheapskate who will not give us raises. You should also keep in mind that the good independent technicians probably hailed from a dealership at some point. I work at my dealership and on customers cars on the side. Those customers who are smart enough to find me get the same quality diagnosis and repair at a much more reasonable rate. about 60% cheaper on labor as I am not in it to gouge my personal customers. I still walk away with fair pay for my services and they are happy to pay less. If I could get enough of them I would quit the dealership and just do it for myself. I purchased a laptop and ross-tech software to diagnose cars on my own.
I think your opinion of techs at dealerships is off.. waaay off.
I too worked at VW for 4.5 years and have been fixing cars for 23. I did not go to formal school or technical school to learn how to fix these. Instead I have owned 37 VW's and Audi's and fixed multiple other makes of vehicles just based on general automotive knowledge and the internet.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 28
From: Charlotte, NC
When I bought my 2001 Mistubishi Monetro they gave me 2 free oil change coupons and I held onto them until winter.
Called and scheduled a PM for a Mon.
Got there in the morning and they had a loaner car sitting in the warm shop all weekend and full of gas. (so it wasn't covered in snow)
Nice touch.
I also asked the service manager if the tech could show me the lube points under the truck because I like to do my own oil changes, they did.
When it was on the lift (they did real oil changes not quick lube ones) he showed me everything, grease fittings, fill/check/drain plugs...he was more than happy to show me.
I dont use the dealer because I do 98% of my own work and the work I do have done elsewhere is at a shop I have been using for years and years and I trust those guys, and they let me bring in my own parts.
Called and scheduled a PM for a Mon.
Got there in the morning and they had a loaner car sitting in the warm shop all weekend and full of gas. (so it wasn't covered in snow)
Nice touch.
I also asked the service manager if the tech could show me the lube points under the truck because I like to do my own oil changes, they did.
When it was on the lift (they did real oil changes not quick lube ones) he showed me everything, grease fittings, fill/check/drain plugs...he was more than happy to show me.
I dont use the dealer because I do 98% of my own work and the work I do have done elsewhere is at a shop I have been using for years and years and I trust those guys, and they let me bring in my own parts.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 28
From: Charlotte, NC
My brother owned one. From what I've read and experienced it seems that the Montero is much more reliable but less capable than the Discovery.
Tough call.
The Montero was very capable on road and off.
But the heritage was not there like it is with Land Rover.
I did like the "gas it and forget it" of the Montero, it too used premium, but it was a 3.5L V6, it sat 7, 4 wheel indie suspension, good MPG, smooth ride.
Good towing LBS.
But you could not buy any accessories for it here in the US, no winch bumper, no lift, skid plates, etc.
I would buy another in a heart beat though.
The Montero was very capable on road and off.
But the heritage was not there like it is with Land Rover.
I did like the "gas it and forget it" of the Montero, it too used premium, but it was a 3.5L V6, it sat 7, 4 wheel indie suspension, good MPG, smooth ride.
Good towing LBS.
But you could not buy any accessories for it here in the US, no winch bumper, no lift, skid plates, etc.
I would buy another in a heart beat though.
Mudding
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 209
Likes: 2
I took my Yukon Denali to the dealership to repair a failed intake manifold gasket under warranty.
They replaced the gasket, replaced front brake pads, flushed the radiator, and replaced the cabin filters... and tried to bill me for it; to the tune of like 300 bucks.
The word stealership is perfectly applicable in this case. Although they didn't actually steal anything, only tried to screw me.
It was warranty work so I did not want to do it myself... never again will I go to a dealership unless it's to trade the damn thing in.
If you're a good mechanic, and are honest, good for you.
They replaced the gasket, replaced front brake pads, flushed the radiator, and replaced the cabin filters... and tried to bill me for it; to the tune of like 300 bucks.
The word stealership is perfectly applicable in this case. Although they didn't actually steal anything, only tried to screw me.
It was warranty work so I did not want to do it myself... never again will I go to a dealership unless it's to trade the damn thing in.
If you're a good mechanic, and are honest, good for you.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16,322
Likes: 88
From: Savannah Georgia
A lot of this confirms the old sales percentages - a short changed customer will tell an average of 13 people, a happy one only 2 or 3. I believe that dealerships may be trying to use management systems that try to maximize profits by treating every customer contact as the potential for new sales and puts too many people on a compensation plan that rewards increased sales only. Most techs are hardworking and honest, as each of the other types of employees at dealers. But a few bad apples drag everyone else down.
By the way, this is no different in lots of other businesses, billing errors, indifferent customer service, all the things that run customers off as fast as possible. A dealership that allows "padded" service invoices, "extra" charges, etc., will make a little more money short term. But they will loose in the long run.
By the way, this is no different in lots of other businesses, billing errors, indifferent customer service, all the things that run customers off as fast as possible. A dealership that allows "padded" service invoices, "extra" charges, etc., will make a little more money short term. But they will loose in the long run.
Unfortunately, I'm a motorcycle tech now, but, If any of you have a Vespa, Moto-Guzzi, or Aprilia that needs servicing or repair in the North New Jersey area, pm me, and I'll hook you up!