Auto dealer gripe thread.

[the ringo kid]

Ive only a few minutes to splain before computer time ends.

Yesterday I went to Auto zone for two parts as im finally getting the car fixed. I needed an 02 censor and a vent valve. AZ nr 1--we dont carry those parts-go to the dealership--which I did fully knowing they were way over-priced.

Dealership--I asked the guy in the service area to give me prices on the parts. Instead of doing it in front of me on that computer-he disappeared into some dark corner somewhere for several minutes.

Came back with quotes on both-adding another censor to the tally. All total--over $800 hundred dollars and telling me I cant get these at any auto parts store. Also saying that Auto parts strors parts wouldnt work and arent well made.

BS

Ive been driving most of 35 years and buying parts from stores-never a prob.

I left-just happened to be driving down Airline street-saw another AZ-figured id double-check-and that store had everything I needed-for $102.00.

More on this tomorrow as time is gone. Kia is a cheat-so is Midas.

 

[DWalt]

If you don't need one immediately, check the internet. They are available. I once had to buy some simple little plastic fasteners from a Honda dealer, about 15 of them. Couldn't find them anywhere else. Cost me $3 - EACH. Should have been about a nickel each, but I needed them right away.

 

[snubbyfan]

I usta sell Toyota Parts and I had 17 years experience.
I happen to know that if you don't use genuine factory parts, your vehicle will dissolve into a puddle of goo.
However I personally proved that Toyota's are very well built. My personal Corolla was loaded with aftermarket parts. In fact it was know as the "Aftermarket Special" and not only did it not spontaneously combust but continued to run great until it was replaced with a 4wd Tercel.

 

[Bajadoc]

Car dealers are there to extract as much money as they can. Approach a stealership as you would a mother bear with cubs. Be very careful.

 

[steamloco76]

I needed the drivers side heated glass power mirror assembly for my 2012 Silverado. Dealership wanted nearly $700. CAPA aftermarket was $300. Found a used take off online for $119 shipped.
Cabin air filter for my 2015 Colorado, $69.95 installed at the dealer. Unavailable from dealer parts, which makes me wonder how they change one for $69.95. ? Bought a pair on amazon for $30 and installed it myself in five minutes.
Strange fact, the Chevy dealer is the best deal for an oil change and tire rotation on the same Colorado. $39.95 plus tax for six quarts of Dexos oil, the filter, four wheel tire rotation and top off fluids.

 

[mtgianni]

The dealer gives you the best price for an oil change and free 28 point inspection so they can get the first in on the work you need done resulting from the inspection.

 

[vytoland]

in the words of Smokey Robinson......"ya gotta shop around".......

 

[BigBoy99]

I had a friend who owned a car dealership and he said that if could guarantee that all of the owners of the cars he sold, would bring them back to his shop for service, he could afford to give the new cars away for free!

Service centers are where the money is to be made.

 

[LVSteve]

Sometimes the original parts ARE the only ones that work properly. Case in point, thermostats for the Nissan 4.0 V6 truck motor. The originals have a peculiar piece that shrouds one side of the thermostat. It must be vital to the flow because all Xterras and Pathfinders fitted with aftermarket 'stats run over temperature. The same goes for fluid couplings for the cooling fan.

 

[DWFAN]

I worked in various dealer auto parts departments for over forty years. Some things are actually cheaper at a good dealership. Most are not. Most auto makers subcontract their parts. These subcontractors sell the same parts aftermarket. Made just a little different so as to not violate infringement laws and most times made even better. I like to use Rock Auto on line and even Amazon has a lot of good deals. Just have to do your homework.

DW

 

[Old 44 Guy]

That is why I drive an American truck. Parts........!

 

[adwjc]

Google is your friend.

Not just for car parts, but everything else, too.

I just had to get a part for my ice maker in a Kitchen Aid Refrigerator. Checked around and found I needed a sensor circuit board and an emitter. These are a set of two printed circuits with LED on one and receiver on another, all they do is see if a light beam goes through your ice bin or not, like the simple bar switch of years ago.

Anyway, long story short, one of the big name places had for $284. Another for $198. Now that I had the part numbers, I googled and found a whole new bunch of places that had the same item - brand name to boot, for $25 -$30 - picked one and got the item for $25.00 + $3.00 S&H.

The place that was $284 wanted to sell you the part or send a man for $90.00 per hour.

I don't want to put anyone out of work, but wow! What a markup!

 

[glenwolde]

Just for fun, go check the price here. These guys always seem to kill it on price every time.

RockAuto

 

[BearBio]

My '85 Toyota SR5 had a bad fuel sensor chip. My mechanic said $800 at the dealer or $50 at the junkyard. Maybe the junkyard one would work and maybe not==but he could always get another one for $50 to try. It lasted 3 years, then we did it again. Truck had over 350,000 miles when I sold it (TO HIM!)

 

[4011]

We have a real auto parts store over in Fort Worth. Strouds Auto. Called yesterday for king pins for my 54 Chevrolet project. They said have by 4pm. I went there at 5pm. Picked them up and started to install. Rock had them $15 dollars cheaper. But would have had to wait till Monday.saving on tax went to shipping. Broke even I think.

 

[Arik]

Sore to break it to you but Kia is not a cheat. Every single dealer will charge you through the nose on parts. My dad's Toyota hubcap is $200 from the dealer. He didn't buy it either.

Dealerships are like hospitals for cars. Go to an emergency room and tell them you have a headache. They'll charge you $20 for two advil plus the time you were there. For the same money you could have walked into a local pharmacy and bought 3 bottles of Advil for that money

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Targets Guy]

My Subaru is bumper to bumper for three years. I trade at one or two years. No parts worries for me. This month I get my 2017 and they get my 2016. Can't wait for the 2019's.

 

[snowman]

I've done virtually all my maintenance and repair for a number of years, and have gotten quite an education buying parts, as have many others here. And I'm sure that will continue.

I've attempted to avoid the huge mark-up at dealers as much as possible, and have usually succeeded. Occasionally aftermarket parts don't fit correctly -some are too far off to mess with.

I've learned also that quality, fit, etc. can differ between stores. In general I've been more satisfied with NAPA and CarQuest parts than what the super discount places carry.

I drove a Honda Civic for 18 years, and learned whenever I adjusted valve lash or replaced the timing belt to get the head cover gasket and the timing belt at the local dealer. I noted that his prices for OEM parts were competitive with the aftermarket stores in the area, a fact which came up in conversation with the parts man one time. He told me in disgusted tones that there wasn't any way he was going to add the outrageous mark-up that the dealer wanted him to. After a few years of benefiting from his generosity I noted that he wasn't there anymore, and the prices, accordingly, went through the roof. Later I stopped in at the local AutoZone and guess who was working there?

Regards,
Andy

 

[Krell1]

I just leased a new Nissan Murano and I noticed a couple days later that it was missing the Nissan emblem from the center of one of the wheels. This is most likely a plastic part, about the size of a silver dollar and obviously just snaps in. They had the part and I was told that, if I had to pay for it that it ran $78. WTH???? $78 for a piece of plastic????

 

[V-35]

American Truck ?

That is why I drive an American truck. Parts........!

I think that the last 'American' truck was made in 1956.


Art