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Dealership Service Departments Problems - Pitfalls
Understanding the CostWhen you drive into a dealership for repair, you will pay two basic costs: parts and labor. Parts are fairly self explanatory, but the labor cost is going to be more difficult to predict. Labor costs vary tremendously from one geographic location to the next, and also based on the make and model you are having serviced.Often, labor rates are a set hourly rate. Typically, this rate is between $60 and $150 per hour. However, some shops will charge a flat labor rate for particular services. For instance, the rate for a transmission repair may be set at a flat $1,000. Often, a diagnostic fee is factored into this labor rate. Keep in mind that all of this money does not go directly to the mechanic. Some of it goes to keeping the shop open and functioning, and some will go to buying tools and machines to do the job. If you are looking to save money, the dealership is not the place to go. Auto repair at independent shops almost always has a lower labor cost than that from the big name dealership or repair center. So keep that in mind as you choose a shop.
Working with a Dealership Service CenterIf you do need to go to the dealership for repairs, be very specific about what you need. Keep in mind that the mechanic who works on your car and the person you talk to when you drop it off are probably two different people. This can lead to a communication breakdown. Make sure that you are very specific about what you want to have done, and eliminate any miscommunication by writing it all down.Do not pester the mechanic by calling constantly to see if it is done. You do not want your car repairs to be rushed. Instead, wait until they call you, because they will when they are done. Before you pay the bill, get an explanation for what was done. Make sure everything that was done is listed on your invoice. This will protect you if there is a problem with the repair down the road. Ask if you can take a test drive before you pay the bill to ensure the problem is gone and your car is functioning well again. The service adviser can even join you on the test drive if he wishes to do so. Sometimes it will take a long time to fix your car. In this instance, you may be able to ask for a loaner. This will give you a way to get around while you wait for your car to be finished. Do not be afraid to ask for this. Avoid These MistakesWhen you are taking your car to the dealership for repairs, mistakes are costly. When you visit the dealership service center, there are some specific mistakes to avoid.First, do not try to make yourself look better or more important by bragging about the number of vehicles you have purchased from the company. The service center does not care, and needs to treat all customers the same. Similarly, do not boast that you will send the company “a lot of business,” because chances are you are not the first person to try this route. Do not try to pull the friendship card at the dealership either. It does not matter if you know the owner, the service technician does not care. In fact, at many dealerships the owner is not popular, so this could actually backfire. Sometimes things are going to go wrong. When this happens, do not resort to yelling, cursing, or screaming. Be polite and considerate and you will get much more farther with the technician than if you act like a jerk. Do not try to lie, either. Saying “I have been to the other dealership 10 times for this and you need to fix it without charge,” is going to fall extremely flat. Remember, they can look up the facts in their computer, which is likely connected with the dealership down the road. Finally, do not threaten to go to the media or sue the dealership. This rarely works, because the technician has heard it before and will view it as an empty threat. If you need to pursue legal action, just hire an attorney and start the process. What About the Tune-Up?Do you have an extra $400? If so, then head to the dealership for a tune-up. While this might sound important, they are not as necessary as they were in older vehicles. In fact, most vehicles can go 50,000 to 100,000 miles before they need a tune up, and much of what the mechanic will do you can do in your garage. Often, the “scheduled” maintenance does not need to be done.For routine maintenance, like your oil change, you may want to avoid the dealership altogether. The local garage or lube shop may be a better option for price and service when you need your oil or transmission fluid changed. Remember, you never want to trust your mechanic blindly. Ask to see the parts that need to be replaced and follow scheduled maintenance as outlined by the factory, not the dealership. This will save you from spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on maintenance that simply is not needed. |
When you need to have your car fixed, do you head to the car dealership? Dealership service departments seem like the logical place to go for factory repairs on your vehicle, but they may not be the best option. Understanding these dealership pitfalls and problems will help you decide if this is the right option for your needs. Understanding the Cost - Working with a Dealership Service Center - Avoid Mistakes - What About the Tune-Up?