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Comments
Yes, there are great independents out there but don't think they are going to be much less than a dealer.
Like the dealers, if these shops are going to survive and compete, they have HUGE expenses. They have to buy expensive tools and equipment constantly and, if they plan to attract top notch mechanics, they have to pay them top dollar.
Then they have to deal with the do it yourselfers who do or try to do the "easy" jobs themself. When the DIY guy gets stumped or it's a dirty job then the independent gets it.
When the independent gets stumped, he still has an out. He can throw up his hands and send his customer to the dealer!
For pete's sake, any auto parts store will be happy to sell you a 10.00 gas cap!
Just hope that's all it is!
One lady, who could barely speak English, wanted $50. an hour. I don't think so. We are still looking.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Don't know, sorry.
I haven't been under a 4 cylinder tacoma in a while but from what I remember changing an O2 sensor on one shouldn't take more then 30 minutes max.
The key difference, in my vast experience, is the constant upselling I always get at the dealer, which could happen at an independent as well. But the few independents I have gone to were pretty good, not much upselling, just not convenient like the hours at this particular dealer.
I use my buddies Click & Clack to find a good independent.
I don't particularly want to be serviced. Think livestock.
Good point pinhead. Anyone know if service departments will negotiate their rates like sales do? I would be a lot happier in life if I could bump those guys down to a "mini" like I do in sales.
As an example, a dealership has trans. fluid flush for $180. You bring in a coupon from an independent for $69 and ask them to match it. Service writer says they use better fluids and grease monkies are more highly trained. So, I say I'll give you a $125... split the difference, or I walk. Service writer has to decide to make $60 profit or nothing. Is this done?
I agree, and that 30 minutes would include the time it takes for a couple of beers. I changed one on my old Mustang and it was a piece of cake. The 1.5 hours the dealer charged was probably the book rate.
One lady, who could barely speak English, wanted $50. an hour. I don't think so. We are still looking
Nice work if you can get it. Especially considering there will be no deductions for the usual stuff. :surprise:
In any case that was her MSRP, what did she want without the dust/mop/glow etc.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I can only speak for my service dept. Our rate is the lowest in the area.... $87.00/ hour. Some are $100 :surprise:
As for the negotitaing part. I doubt it because it isn't like they need to do your work right now. They are ussualy booked for at least 2 weeks. So either way I doubt it. Now if you work for the company you half the labor rate
GP
If my serpentine belt is cracked and about ready to break, I want to know about it. If my rear brake pads are almost down to the wear indicators, please tell me! I may have the shop do it now or I may wait a month.
I remember back when I managed a large shop, we tried to inform our customers of work that needed to be done and they usually appreciated it.
One time, we did a tune up on this grumpy lady's Cadillac. A week later, the bottom tank blew off her radiator and she overheated the Cadillac and ruined the engine. She tried to blame it on us!
" You worked on it last!"
" It never did that before...you must have done something!"
And.." You would THINK you guys would have noticed there was a problem with the radiator!"
Oh, I've got LOTS of stories...
I'll do it for $45, where do you live?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I know how cute and funny you think you are but I would drop the term "Grease Monkey"
That term is VERY offensive to people in the trade especially those who are highly trained and adapt at fixing vomplex problems that you wouldn't have a clue (or me either) as to how to fix.
You really don't have to post a witty (to you) answer to every post you know!
If my serpentine belt is cracked and about ready to break, I want to know about it. If my rear brake pads are almost down to the wear indicators, please tell me! I may have the shop do it now or I may wait a month.
Like sales, it really depends on the individual dealer or independent shop. Hard to generalize here. I have had a dealer hard upsell me to the point that "call to upsell" was written across my work order (I can read perfectly upside down). This was after I conceded to a $700 30K service in a weak moment.
Then again, I had one dealer I really liked that gave me free end to end inspection and only found one thing I knew needeed to be done (change of tranny fluid). I gladly let them do it at their fee. Only thing, they were out of the way for me, so sometimes I would get the oil changed at an independent close to my office. The independent changed hands and I took my car in for an oil change three months after the dealer inspection. I get call. Expecting to hear my car is ready to be picked up, but instead, I get, "your fuel injectors are all carboned up and you need a power flush. Your drive belt is also cracked and needs replacement" So I ask, how do you know the injectors are plugged, did you pull them and look and what kind of cracks are in the belt and how long will it last? I guess he was expecting a just do but and was off guard. I got some mumble jumble and I said no thanks. Took the car home, looked at the drive belt with a flashlight and it was perfect. No cracks at all. :mad:
Oh, I've got LOTS of stories...
Since we seem to have a slow spell in stories from the sales frontlines how about some stories from the service frontlines..
Well his head is as big as Edmunds
GP
Had my 99 CRV with 130K miles at the dealer last year to have new front brake pads and check the rotors. Service advisor calls back with a laundry list of things that needed done, timing belt, new pads & rotors, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, rear struts, brake master cylinder, etc, etc, total of about $2K.
I let him go through the list and then asked about the timing belt, he goes in to sales pitch mode for a couple minutes. Then I tell him, Sir your credibility just went out the window because if you checked your own records, you would know that you folks did the timing belt service at 104K miles along with the water pump and accessory belts. He says, oh, well that's just what the tech recommended.
It was a chore to get him to just turn the rotors as they wanted to replace them, even though they would still have been within specs. I just had them put on new brake pads and turn the rotors. And I have never had to add oil or brake fluid.
Watch out! I got five demerits for picking on a team member.
Richard
"...That term is VERY offensive..."
So what is this? Politically Correct Theater comes to the sales frontline? I think you have been following the current presidential race too closely. Don't be so sensitive. For the record some of my best mechanics call themselves "Grease Monkeys" I think you need to relax.
As for Jipster being cute, I suggest an appointment at the eye doctor.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Richard
I was born and raised in the PNW btw.
You know what they say about opinions don't you?
I have some good news related to dining room strategies. Today, I sold the old sideboard to an antique dealer for half the cost of the new sideboard. My checkbook feels a little better. Perhaps you could sell the old set and buy some new tools.
Richard
Fords products are as good or better then any thing any one has to offer in its class. They are so good that we kicked Toyotas [non-permissible content removed] last month on the strength of our Fusion and Edge sales.
I am away from this place for a couple days and it turns back into a Imports are king area again
I like your new car strategy with the wife. It sounded vaguely familiar until I realized that my wife has been using that one on me for her new furniture purchase. Man, I was a lay down for that one!
Richard
The one that wanted $200. for the 4 hours missed her first appt. to give us a bid. Her reason for missing the appt. was she overslept. The meeting was supposed to be at 10 AM. After that and meeting her, I really don't think we would have hired her at half that price.
Also, many, many years ago from about the age of 12 to 18, I was a grease monkey. Working on heavy equipment for my dad in the construction biz. I enjoyed the work and was kind of proud to be called a grease monkey.
Now, to stay on topic, who wants to sell me a car TODAY!! :shades:
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Richard
Back in 1996 I had a girl that worked at one of the local exotic dance clubs tell me that if I was to show her how the reclining seat worked in a used Probe she would show me a negotiating technique that I would remember for the rest of my life.
I just told her that I thought my wife would not look kindly upon that. Surprisingly enough I still sold her a car. She didn't get a chance to use her technique and it showed, it was a home run deal.
But typing this tells me one thing she was right about. I still remember it, even though it was only the proposition.
We are at $87 right now.
I'm glad that you are not sensitive to being called a "grease monkey". I have always had a high regard for the "grease monkey" since it takes me an hour to change a light bulb. :shades:
Richard
Good point. Of the two Mazda dealerships in my area... one seems to be extremely busy, the other seems pretty slow. The slow joe may be more inclined to offer a discount.
Richard
It took me a few months to realize that you were a nice guy :shades: and then you do this. Now you know that no harm was intended. You once told me that you didn't want it known that you were nice. Don't worry. With remarks like that, you'll keep your secret.
Btw, I agree with you on up selling. If they find something wrong with my car, I want to know it. It will then be my decision whether to fix it or leave it.
Richard
Good post oldfarmer. You've just moved up to second in command of "Team Jipster". Greenpea, you've just earned a ticket to the back of the bus for your insolence. You and jmonroe are to report to richard tomorrow for reprogramming. :surprise:
edited: Thank you for your kind words in post #26948. For some reason isell likes to give me a hard way to go. That's okay, I'll forgive him anyway.
Oh btw, my dealership charges $85 an hour labor... and my maid charges $70 to clean the house., which usually takes about 5 hours.
That term IS very offensive to the professionals who repair the complex cars that we drive.
Richard
Just a bean counters observation.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Richard
Right now I am in the office all caught up just sitting here not doing much except going home in 38 minutes.
Good thing you had everything organized, I have had people come in with a box of loose receipts. :sick:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
BTW, I tell the mechanics in our shop all the time that calling them a grease monkey an insult to monkeys every where. :P
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Mack