Rocksprings
Member
Dealer
If you think auto dealerships are bad, try a tractor or ATV/Utility Veh. dealer. Spare key was $25.00.
If you think auto dealerships are bad, try a tractor or ATV/Utility Veh. dealer. Spare key was $25.00.
Dealing with the service department at the dealership.... Arrrrg!
- Thread starter Capt Steve
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Watchdog
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I guess you live in Arizona?
Don't know costs there, but around here, labor alone runs about $90 at a dealer. Parts are additional. What's the labor and parts cost breakdown for the repairs done on your Ford?
I guess mechanics/technicians should work for free? And parts should be discounted or free?
It doesn't work that way.
But you ended up getting the work done for a couple of hundred bucks less than what was originally quoted, and you're still complaining?
I'm fine with independents charging same hourly rates as dealers. The savings comes from the independents doing only what is needed.
I would leave my wallet with my independent (which, in effect, you do every time you leave your car with someone).
I would leave my wallet with my independent (which, in effect, you do every time you leave your car with someone).
The dealership owners where I live are among the class who can afford to buy the best homes, airplanes, and nice boats.
Often the dealership owner isn't even the same state anymore!
In Iowa there are still local dealerships, but even that isn't a guarantee of satisfaction anymore. The kids take over the business, but not the same service level, dealerships go bellyup, dealerships bought out by others, but the warranty approval from the manufacturer is the final, and that is dealing with a faceless phone call.
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dougb1946
Member
97 F150. Engine would idle down until the oil pressure light came on. Local mechanic, who is great with mechanicals, doesn't have a computer in the shop, and has trouble with electronics. He replaced the idle motor. Engine would not slow down. $150. Took it to Ford. One hour to diagnose and took it home to wait for parts. Then the mechanic replaced the MAS and two vacuum lines. Truck hasn't run this good in years. $600. Granted, I have to drive the truck for two more years to get my money out it, but it is a pleasure to drive again.
There is a lot more to go wrong on the new vehicles, and the equipment and training to fix is just more expensive. But I have 207000 miles on the original muffler, the bearings are original, and the motor is strong and the air and heat are functioning well. Steering wheel is wearing out from hand contact
There is a lot more to go wrong on the new vehicles, and the equipment and training to fix is just more expensive. But I have 207000 miles on the original muffler, the bearings are original, and the motor is strong and the air and heat are functioning well. Steering wheel is wearing out from hand contact
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You got away cheap for an ignition switch. I had a 2002 Impala, out of warranty that had a "well known" defect. Dealership wanted $1500, local guy got $650 and it was so high because they had to pull the dashboard to get to it. On my 2010 Silverado, the thermostat went bad on Black Friday and I needed it done stat. A $6 part cost $300 at dealership (again out of warranty) but my regular shop was closed till Monday. Joe
I'm a car guy and watch the Barett-Jackson auction. You people down there must buy a lot of his cars and also have them do repairs because the amount of money he spends on his hobbies could buy some third world countries.
the local Hyundai dealership is great...........we pull right in, promptly greeted, information written down and we go to the waiting room, watch TV, eat complementary donuts and coffee and in a little while the repair/maintenance is completed.........get in our washed and vacuumed car and off we go..........with service like this.....i will be back
Watchdog
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I'm a car guy and watch the Barett-Jackson auction. You people down there must buy a lot of his cars and also have them do repairs because the amount of money he spends on his hobbies could buy some third world countries.
Bruton Smith has more money than God, and still isn't happy.
Don't even get me started on Rick Hendrick.
Fishinfool
Member
Bit of an old school gear head myself. I picked up a part time retirement job last year, delivering auto parts for a large national parts chain.
Nice little scam I noticed.
A part may retail, for say, $100.00. If you walk in and purchase, it will be less, maybe $75.00. If you are a commercial account, that same part might be $55.00, delivered to your shop.
The mechanic charges the customer his hourly rate, along with the full, or close to full retail price for the part. "Double dipping", as it were. Not all do that, but all make at least some profit from the parts they use.
R/E Dealerships. In the town where my parts store is located, there is a huge Ford dealership. They sell a ton of trucks and cars, but their service department is almost always slow. The next town over, there is a small Ford dealership, that maybe has a dozen new vehicles on the lot, on a good day. Their service department, however, is always packed. Many of their clients are customers from the big dealership. They learned long ago, that the real money is in honest service and repeat, satisfied customers.
From what I have seen in my parts delivery travels, when you find a good and honest dealership / mechanic, stick with them. There are quite a few out there I wouldn't trust to change my oil.....
Larry
Nice little scam I noticed.
A part may retail, for say, $100.00. If you walk in and purchase, it will be less, maybe $75.00. If you are a commercial account, that same part might be $55.00, delivered to your shop.
The mechanic charges the customer his hourly rate, along with the full, or close to full retail price for the part. "Double dipping", as it were. Not all do that, but all make at least some profit from the parts they use.
R/E Dealerships. In the town where my parts store is located, there is a huge Ford dealership. They sell a ton of trucks and cars, but their service department is almost always slow. The next town over, there is a small Ford dealership, that maybe has a dozen new vehicles on the lot, on a good day. Their service department, however, is always packed. Many of their clients are customers from the big dealership. They learned long ago, that the real money is in honest service and repeat, satisfied customers.
From what I have seen in my parts delivery travels, when you find a good and honest dealership / mechanic, stick with them. There are quite a few out there I wouldn't trust to change my oil.....
Larry
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I'm a car guy and watch the Barett-Jackson auction. You people down there must buy a lot of his cars and also have them do repairs because the amount of money he spends on his hobbies could buy some third world countries.
I have bought cars from both of their dealerships. I don't begrudge their wealth. As dealerships go, they are better than most.
I don't use their service departments. Looks like it's not hurting Rick.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I have to realize all my cars I repaired as a kid and trucks too. I'm 65yo and can't do much anymore. I get one free oil change for every five I pay for. The brakes my son does now. I probably saved a small fortune up to now on car repairs.
My system is we need two cars. I'm always gonna have one car payment.
I bought one new car in 2010. It's paid off in 2015, it should last another five years no payments. I just purchased another new car. By the time this one is paid off the 2010 car is done. Get rid of it before the repairs start. So by 2020 I buy another new car. A new car should last 10 years with no major repairs. Flip the new car every ten years. Stagger the purchases every five years. Two good cars one car payment.
My system is we need two cars. I'm always gonna have one car payment.
I bought one new car in 2010. It's paid off in 2015, it should last another five years no payments. I just purchased another new car. By the time this one is paid off the 2010 car is done. Get rid of it before the repairs start. So by 2020 I buy another new car. A new car should last 10 years with no major repairs. Flip the new car every ten years. Stagger the purchases every five years. Two good cars one car payment.
finesse_r
Member
It may save shopping around, but going to the dealer will cost you a lot more money. Often more than a lot.
Doc fee in the service department !?!?
Florida Guy
Member
I had a car battery installed at Tires Plus and they hit me with a fee for "shop supplies". I didn't have my glasses with me, so I didn't notice the fee until I arrived home.
I quickly sent an email to address on website and a few days later the manager of the shop called me and said I just should have given him a call and he would have taken care of it.
I asked why it was on there in the first place, and he told me the computer automatically adds it to the bill.
He credited the $10 to my charge card that day.
From now on, I will go in there with my glasses
I quickly sent an email to address on website and a few days later the manager of the shop called me and said I just should have given him a call and he would have taken care of it.
I asked why it was on there in the first place, and he told me the computer automatically adds it to the bill.
He credited the $10 to my charge card that day.
From now on, I will go in there with my glasses
