|
That's just it; there are some good dealers too. A lot of it hinges on who is working there.
The funny thing is, when there's a good dealer, the independents aren't as close in proximity, or as plentiful. But... when there is a rotten dealer around, there are independents who take up all of the slack.
Sometimes, though, the independents see many more older model of the same type, than do dealers. A dealer service department full of 22 year old techs isn't going to be able to service a 94 Camry like the independent shop who specializes in Toyotas. And those guys are also always advertising for mechanics. However, the dealer is going to have the edge on the latest product, while the independent sometimes has to wait for knowledge to trickle down, or they have to educate themselves on the product at their own expense.
The thing is, there are crappy independent shops as well, where you get slipshod workmanship. But some people base everything strictly on price. If they are paying someone $25 or $30/hr to do their work, then they know that they are getting a great deal. And anything that costs them $70/hr is going to be a "rip off" no matter what. I have dealt with customers who would NOT pay an extra few bucks for a new timing belt because they already felt they were getting ripped off for a $100 water pump and thermostat, and new coolant. An offer to replace the timing belt and 3 seals AND TENSIONER for another $100 (a serious deal) was met with total resistance from the customer, as if I was just lying. I almost pleaded with him to have it redone because it was totally cracked and trashed; the original at 110,000 miles. Naturally the thing ended up breaking in another couple of weeks. I saw his car in another independent's lot... where the guy got charged $100 for the hook, and $170 for the T-belt job, without new tensioner or seals. So, instead of being out $100, he was out just about $300, for only half of the job.
Some people are so cheap, it costs them money in the long run. Once you find the deal that really works, it is often best to stick with it, even if it costs a little bit more. But usually in the long run, the good work doesn't cost much more than the bad work, done twice. Also building a relationship with the people who service your cars, or techs making a relationship with the customers, little things start to show up for free. I love delivering a car back with some annoying little problem fixed for the customer. That's always the thing they notice most. I had a guy come in one day with a horrible misfire in a 940. Dead cylinder. What do you know... his spark plug wire came off. I started the car, and the Check Engine light was on. He said it had been on since he bought the car, and nobody was able to reset it. The computer was screwed up and the diagnostic system was stuck rapid-flashing. I undid that problem and the CEL went off, never to return. I reset it with no problems and it never came back. I said "have a nice day" and walked away. I mean, big deal--two minutes of work, and this guy is practically GuARANTEED to come back to see me forever. The guy chased me down and finally ended up shoving a $20 in my shirt pocket. I refused it but he almost rammed it down my throat. He said that was the best deal he got anywhere. ANd to him, it probably was.
--
1992 940 wagon, low miles
as well as others.
|
