Why do people have this general perception that dealership service departments RIP-OFFS?

Question

Examples: "replace the alternator, starter, battery and cables. Now I want YOU to fix it". People bringing their vehicles to "ma & pa's" garage for a "check engine" light on, only to have spark plugs, wires, and fuel filter "thrown at it" only to have the concern STILL present. Why is it that people don't realize that if they took their vehicle to the dealership for some problems TO BEGIN WITH, they would have hundreds, if not thousands of dollars having the problem fixed WITHOUT having uneccesary "repairs" done by "Joe's Garages"?

Answer 1

I think people have the perception that others have said... That the dealer is way too expensive (even though some dealers charge the same price in labor as Goodyear and Firestone dealers) and that it won't be fixed right.

Dealership mechanics are just like independents in that sometimes they don't know what's causing the problem (does the doctor get it right every time?) But I find the independent owners a lot of times don't educate themselves like they should and the car owners wind up paying unnecessary for repairs. In my medium sized town, only about 3 out of about 12 have any repair manuals that are current (made within the last 5 years).

That's why when I post, I'll say bring it to a dealer or independent but usually it's a independent who specializes as I find they spend the money on the education and books to keep on top like a dealer employee does( but the dealer employee is trained by the dealer, the independent is usually on his own)

I'm forced to work on stuff that others have tried to fix and get told I should "put my computer" on it to figure out what's wrong, when another shop has done $1000 worth of guessing.. I have to make sure I'm 100% right even though a car is like a person and sometimes it's difficult to find the issue.

I have no issues with independents... many are my friends, and I help them out... but when they don't want to better themselves and I get stuck with their headaches.. that's when I get mad...sorry

Answer 2

i wouldn't say that dealerships are a rip off but in my own experience I know that the dealerships have a lot more overhead so the prices for parts and repairs are far more than most independent shops. That is fine if you have the money to pay for it but the way I see it is it is not my fault that they have all the overhead so i go to a local garage and pay less and have never had any concerns about the work. Also people don't realize that the labor rate book was designed for warranty work not for the average fix. The dealerships took this extremely high rate and abused it. If it only take 25 minutes to fix something but the Book says 2 hours then that is what the dealership charges. It wasn't supposed to be that way it was meant for warranty work so the manufacturer knew how much to pay the dealership for the warranty work.

Answer 3

Well from your Example there are 2 ways to look at it .
Tune up -VS- MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
On the Tune UP Dealer Service Dept have 10% mark Up on Price's and 30% mark up on labor rates.
On the ma-pa Garage (MIL) problem Most Garage's Now have to Have trouble Code reading an diagnose software For state Inspections. Plus most cars cannot be worked on By the (Good-ole-boy) Plus the Owner&Operator (ma&pa) Garage can Cut the cost of Parts an Labor because of Part stores compeating for there Business and Low to No over head. where as the Dealer ship Has to get the Parts from the manufacture or Company HQ . from which they (Dealership) will carry the Over head to you the coustomer.
It still All depends On if the DealerShip Tech's an the (ma&pa) people are Trust worthy an Knowlegeable

Answer 4

Because, unfortunately people have this perception that big car stores are out to up sell them and take their money. I have worked for different dealers and it all depends on the dealer principles/service managers. Do you research and find a good dealer to deal with. The best place to buy and service a car is a dealer you trust. They are few and far between but they are out there. Do your research if you take your car to the dealer , they know the car better that a ma and pa store. The dealer technicians have to go through brand training before they can work on the cars. You don't just have to be a class a mechanic you have to be manufacturer trained. If you take it to a little garage and it takes them 3 hours to fix a problem @ $50. that's $150. Take it to a dealer they can fix it faster same job at 1.5 hours @$70. that's $105. Don't let the labour rate fool you. Ma & pa may be cheaper, But what will save you money and keep you cars re-sale value better. You get what you pay for. So get value for your hard earned money. Find a dealer you can trust.

Answer 5

I have had my car repaired at ma & Pa service centers and at dealerships. The only difference I have noticed is ma & pa provide better customer service and generally are cheaper (labor costs) and get it right the first time. The dealership your just another number in fact my car has come back from Ma & pas cleaner than when dropped off. I am sure there are exceptions but there are for almost everything

Answer 6

And I suppose you are going to tell us dealerships don't install or charge for unnecessary parts! Dealerships charge for parts not even installed! Then they have the service rep that runs around telling all the old ladies a big line of BS so they can collect all their commissions at the end of the week! It's a known fact "MA & PA" is your best answer to repairs. Besides the fact they charge an hourly rate based on what they actually worked and not the rip off flat rates dealers use! Anything else you want to lecture us on?

Answer 7

The dealers tend to have more overhead . But there are good and bad business in every field . I use word of mouth to find a good deal .

General rule of thumb , If its less that 10 years old take it to the dealer , if its over 10 take it to a reputable small shop.

Remember that a dealer only works on cars just like yours. They dont try to master all the brands out there . They probably know exactly how to fix your car without guessing.

Answer 8

I happen to think that dealerships are way over priced for their services, I can get the same quality of service at my local garage for half the price, and a guarantee.

Answer 9

we've various places in our city that me and my relatives use. they're honest and respected. I relatively have used the comparable one for years. they at the instant are not all that way kiddo. Plumbers are notoriously cheating, as are restoration adult men that artwork on roofing. it relatively is because of the fact maximum persons don't understand those style of centers and settle for what they're advised. you need to show your self so which you at the instant are not taken great thing approximately. this is likewise why human beings tend to get various estimates until eventually now the settlement the artwork.

Answer 10

Because them so called dealerships do that same kind of false service too.