Auto repair: Get a 2nd opinion

[campgottagopee]

Most service advisors at dealers operate on comission. So the higher your bill, the more money they earn. I beleive the parts guys sometimes have the same deal. So this adds another layer to the cost structure of going to the dealer. It's just something to be mindful of. I have nothing against dealers per say.

While this is true, they don't get paid commission on the entire bill nor does is efect how much your bill is. A service writer, if good, will suggest certain repairs or services needed above and beyond what a customer comes in for---"upsell". If a customer chooses to have this work performed the writer does get a VERY SMALL portion of that job only, not the entire bill. It's a very small portion of a writers pay----not enought to even buy lunch for a week, but darn good drinkin' money.

 

[Geoff]

I think my statement regarding brands hold true. Land Rover is a luxury brand. I'm sure the dealers feel that if someone can afford to drop 40K+ on a new vehicle, they'll be less concerned with repair costs. My experience was that for Audi.

I couldn't believe it the first time I brought my VW GTI into the Rutland VW/Audi dealer. Not only was the service terrible but they also price gouged me for it. I sat there 3 1/2 hours for an oil change and swapping on snow tires on spare rims. The bill was $150.00. After a big stink, they knocked the bill down to $90.00. When I got the email spam from them a couple of days later asking me to rate their service, I wrote a lengthy flame-o-gram. They followed up with an email and I replied that it would be a cold day in hell before they ever saw me in their dealership again. If that's a typical Audi dealer, I have no interest in ever owning an Audi.

 

[hammer]

While this is true, they don't get paid commission on the entire bill nor does is effect how much your bill is. A service writer, if good, will suggest certain repairs or services needed above and beyond what a customer comes in for---"upsell". If a customer chooses to have this work performed the writer does get a VERY SMALL portion of that job only, not the entire bill. It's a very small portion of a writers pay----not enought to even buy lunch for a week, but darn good drinkin' money.

The problem is that the suggested services are, in many cases, not needed...

When I'd take my car into the Toyota stealership, they would always recommend an alignment (at close to $100 thank you very much). When I asked my independent mechanic about this his response was that, as long as there wasn't a tire wear issue and the car didn't pull to one side, an alignment wasn't needed. Have not had an alignment done since the car's been taken care of by the mechanic and it hasn't been an issue.

Dealers are not alone in this, either. I took my car into a local chain shop for a simple oil change and they were even worse, practically implying that the car would fall apart unless I got a fuel injector cleaning, new air filter, transmission flush, etc...

While I don't blame anyone for trying to sell services, I don't like it when unneeded services are pushed...

 

[deadheadskier]

I couldn't believe it the first time I brought my VW GTI into the Rutland VW/Audi dealer. Not only was the service terrible but they also price gouged me for it. I sat there 3 1/2 hours for an oil change and swapping on snow tires on spare rims. The bill was $150.00. After a big stink, they knocked the bill down to $90.00. When I got the email spam from them a couple of days later asking me to rate their service, I wrote a lengthy flame-o-gram. They followed up with an email and I replied that it would be a cold day in hell before they ever saw me in their dealership again. If that's a typical Audi dealer, I have no interest in ever owning an Audi.

It's really just human nature. Businesses profile their customers and charge based upon that. It's why 2 pieces of pizza cost me $12.27 at Killington on Sunday when I would spend $6 at Ragged for the same quality and size slices......

 

[Glenn]

While this is true, they don't get paid commission on the entire bill nor does is efect how much your bill is. A service writer, if good, will suggest certain repairs or services needed above and beyond what a customer comes in for---"upsell". If a customer chooses to have this work performed the writer does get a VERY SMALL portion of that job only, not the entire bill. It's a very small portion of a writers pay----not enought to even buy lunch for a week, but darn good drinkin' money.

Maybe it's different by dealer or by brand. I talked to a guy who used to run the parts or service counter at BMW dealer. They paid him min wage...plus comission. This was a number of years ago, but he claimed he pulled in about $50k a year. Certaintly more than min wage was working 40 hours a week at the time.

 

[campgottagopee]

The problem is that the suggested services are, in many cases, not needed...

When I'd take my car into the Toyota stealership, they would always recommend an alignment (at close to $100 thank you very much). When I asked my independent mechanic about this his response was that, as long as there wasn't a tire wear issue and the car didn't pull to one side, an alignment wasn't needed. Have not had an alignment done since the car's been taken care of by the mechanic and it hasn't been an issue.

Dealers are not alone in this, either. I took my car into a local chain shop for a simple oil change and they were even worse, practically implying that the car would fall apart unless I got a fuel injector cleaning, new air filter, transmission flush, etc...

While I don't blame anyone for trying to sell services, I don't like it when unneeded services are pushed...

Totally agree with what you are saying. If any of our counter guys were caught doing anything like that, well, it would be a very short conversation.

 

[campgottagopee]

Maybe it's different by dealer or by brand. I talked to a guy who used to run the parts or service counter at BMW dealer. They paid him min wage...plus comission. This was a number of years ago, but he claimed he pulled in about $50k a year. Certaintly more than min wage was working 40 hours a week at the time.

Oh, I'm sure it is....the commission based counter person is real old school in this biz, hell, even commissioned sales is going away---glad I don't sell anymore;-)

 

[Geoff]

It's really just human nature. Businesses profile their customers and charge based upon that. It's why 2 pieces of pizza cost me $12.27 at Killington on Sunday when I would spend $6 at Ragged for the same quality and size slices......

So somebody buying a $15,000 VW Jetta in Rutland is paying $90.00 for an oil change at the dealer? I doubt it. That pricing just pushes the business elsewhere.

 

[deadheadskier]

So somebody buying a $15,000 VW Jetta in Rutland is paying $90.00 for an oil change at the dealer? I doubt it. That pricing just pushes the business elsewhere.

I'm not certain why they would charge $90, but would suspect that because they sell premium cars (Audi) in addition to VW and Subaru, perhaps they feel they have wealthier clientele who aren't as concerned with price.

 

[o3jeff]

I don't mind someone making a few dollars to keep the lights on, but $90 an oil change is a pretty good screwing even if they're using synthetic oil.

 

[hammer]

I don't mind someone making a few dollars to keep the lights on, but $90 an oil change is a pretty good screwing even if they're using synthetic oil.

I wouldn't call it a screwing if it were full synthetic...high, yes, but not obscene.

Thinking about this makes me wonder if I should do my own oil changes...but then there's the hassle of getting the right tools, crawling underneath the car, getting the parts off to get to the oil pan and/or filter, and storing the oil until I can dispose of it on the one day that my town has hazardous waste disposal.

 

[bvibert]

I wouldn't call it a screwing if it were full synthetic...high, yes, but not obscene.

Thinking about this makes me wonder if I should do my own oil changes...but then there's the hassle of getting the right tools, crawling underneath the car, getting the parts off to get to the oil pan and/or filter, and storing the oil until I can dispose of it on the one day that my town has hazardous waste disposal.

A lot of parts stores will take used oil, at least around here. Also, some shops heat with used oil in the winter, so they'll take it too sometimes.

 

[WJenness]

I wouldn't call it a screwing if it were full synthetic...high, yes, but not obscene.

Thinking about this makes me wonder if I should do my own oil changes...but then there's the hassle of getting the right tools, crawling underneath the car, getting the parts off to get to the oil pan and/or filter, and storing the oil until I can dispose of it on the one day that my town has hazardous waste disposal.

At least in MA, any store that sells motor oil is required by law to accept used motor oil back from customers...

-w

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

taking the audi in on Tues, white smoke coming from exhaust (not just cold air/moisture smoke)

I'm thinking it either a turbo thats gone or a head gasket leaking coolent...dont know, i'm no car expert..

 

[campgottagopee]

taking the audi in on Tues, white smoke coming from exhaust (not just cold air/moisture smoke)

I'm thinking it either a turbo thats gone or a head gasket leaking coolent...dont know, i'm no car expert..

H-gasket would be my guess.....if your turbo was gone you'd know it for sure

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

thats what i'm thinking too...the exhaust has that coolant smell.....argh!!!! was heavy this am, but nothing this afternoon....

 

[ALLSKIING]

thats what i'm thinking too...the exhaust has that coolant smell.....argh!!!! was heavy this am, but nothing this afternoon....

If your smelling coolant then thats what it is...

 

[Geoff]

taking the audi in on Tues, white smoke coming from exhaust (not just cold air/moisture smoke)

I'm thinking it either a turbo thats gone or a head gasket leaking coolent...dont know, i'm no car expert..

Have you reprogrammed the engine control unit to screw with the boost on the turbo? That's the main cause for cylinder head gasket failure in those engines. The boy racers are constantly replacing blown head gaskets.

 

[campgottagopee]

Have you reprogrammed the engine control unit to screw with the boost on the turbo? That's the main cause for cylinder head gasket failure in those engines. The boy racers are constantly replacing blown head gaskets.

I'm getting on over my head with this convesation, but when they do that are they programming it to hold the gate open longer in the turbo???

 

[darent]

I wouldn't call it a screwing if it were full synthetic...high, yes, but not obscene.

Thinking about this makes me wonder if I should do my own oil changes...but then there's the hassle of getting the right tools, crawling underneath the car, getting the parts off to get to the oil pan and/or filter, and storing the oil until I can dispose of it on the one day that my town has hazardous waste disposal.

if they sell oil they have to take it back by law in a lot of states, also the suggestion that a lot of shops heat with used oil is a good source for free disposal