Not to Knock the Dealers But ...
There are those out there who don't trust the dealer service departments to work on their vehicles, for whatever reason. They say these departments are set up to maximize profits rather than make equitable decisions about repair choices. Their argument received another point when it was discovered that a number of GM dealers tampered with customer satisfaction surveys before the reports were passed to General Motors. Automotive News reported that an August 14th memo sent by GM to their dealers stated the automaker was forced to "make adjustments" to the overall customer satisfaction ratings due to the "adjustments" dealers made before turning in these surveys.
Take what you will from this. There are plenty of honest dealerships and service departments out there, so don't indict them all based on one report. Of course, you can avoid all of this nonsense by educating yourself on auto repair and maintenance. Whether you change your own oil and flush your own radiator or pay a qualified shop to do it for you, knowing how it all works gives you a real advantage.
Comments
In my opinion, I think I’m on safe ground when I speculate that many car owners have had issues with their OEM service department at one time or another. Is it any wonder that such things happen when many merely make payment and fill it with gas let alone read the Owner’s Manual?
If car dealers would take car ownership more seriously, the way it should be done, they would spend more time building positive relationships with education and orientation programs. The trouble is there so much money at stake so closing the deal is priority. One dealer’s staff I’ve frequented in the last couple of years admitted the profits are in the service department.
I can respect many views on dealerships. I can also understand how beneficial repairing your own car can be. Unfortunately, the automotive industry is changing. Repairing a vehicle with 22 modules running on a controlled area network without the proper diagnostic equipment is almost impossible. Even if the repair was made, the days of unhooking the battery to clear a diagnostic trouble code are over with latched codes and EPROMs. Most independent shops are feeling the change and purchasing new diagnostic tools is putting a large dent in there net income. Dealers may have left a bad taste in the mouths of some but may have the upper hand with specialized education, diagnostic equipment and 100,000 mile powertrain warranties in the very near future. I guess we will see when the green line vehicles and 300 volt hybrid cars, trucks and SUVs are released in 2009.
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I refuse to bring my car to a dealer. It is just a plain fact they rip you off. How many out there have gone in for their “warranty” service of oil change etc to be told they need $400.00 worth of work to keep it under warranty, or take you car in for a tune up and they charge you $200.00 for changing plugs and a fuel filter which costs them pennies. Hell with the dealers and new cars I will spend 20 grand on a restored classic that I can spend $60.00 at the local parts store for high quality parts and give myself a real tune up with an oil change & lube in less then 2 hours then pay those con artists a dime.
it cost me $ 40.oo to test that light on the dashboard telling me engine check …..the answer came , you have to change your oxygen sensor ……
it is amazing that after checking my fuel cap that was loose , i make sure after refueling at the gaz station , that the cap was well closed , and soon after the light on the dsahboard dissapeared …..how do you want me to trust the dealer any more ??????
It’s always nice to tune in and found out about all the true wizards of the automobile repair world. Just to let you all know, I have a great OEM dealer and trust the moves they make. You know why, because I am smart enough to research and ask the proper questions when taking my vehicle in. I see these people bring vehicles in that have no idea what they need, the reason why is because of stupidity. Read your owners manual and keep up with the times or reman on the stupid list. By the way, aftermarket shops are just as good I just dislike people who slam the dealerships because of stupidity. Thanks and have a great day.
Anymore the service departments have the same atmosphere as the sales floor. The service writers are paid a low wage, which is supplemented by a commission for the services they write up. This may not be the case in every dealership, but it is in a Ford, Dodge, and GM dealership in the small town I live in. This, in combination with the fact that our local mechanics do not continually improve their education (I know there are many out there that do), and you have a situation where customers bring their cars back multiple times because of mis-diagnosis.