Just curious what people think and would say..
Do you think the dealer is a rip off??
What kind of work do you think they perform??
What type of work do you get performed at the dealer??

Just curious what people think and would say..
Do you think the dealer is a rip off??
What kind of work do you think they perform??
What type of work do you get performed at the dealer??

YES
Shoddy at best!!
Major warranty and that's ALL!!

Hey, you asked....Hang on to your hat with a question like that!!

Outside of a few warranty repairs over the years, I've never used them. I do my own routine maintenance, e.g., brakes, oil changes and tune-ups, and have never had a problem in the past 8 years...since owning Nissans.
If non-warranty service was needed, I guess I would get some referals, granted the repair wasn't critical. For critical (I need my truck asap!) repairs, I'd probably just use the dealer. Then, price really wouldn't be an issue.
Before I go rambling on about it...I'll answer the question with I've never paid for service at a dealer, so I can't comment.
8)

I know I asked the question..and I was expecting some answers like that...but no offense taken..like I have said, I work for a dealer, I know how they can be!! :beating:
Why do you think they are a rip off?? was it just one dealer or all of your experiances??

I believe there are honest service centers and dishonest service centers. I also believe there are proficient mechanics and inefficient mechanics. It is rare when I've come across dishonest places. However, I have come across more "shoddy" work like JT states then I have "quality" work from dealers. Including with my Titan.

I've heard people bashing their dealerships back when I was on the altima boards, maxima boards, xterra boards and frontier boards. I have said it on all of them - my dealership is a good place.

I've always gotten great service from sales to the service department. If you're anywhere near southern VA, check out Lynchburg Nissan. They are truely a class act dealership.

When my 02 Maxima was hit by a rock, the paint started *literally* peeling off the nose of the car. A Nissan rep came out and denied the claim on the paint due to it being hit by a rock. Now we're talking about a patch of missing paint 4 inches long by and inch and a half high. When the Nissan rep denied the claim, the dealership sent my car to a very reputable paint shop and had the nose of my car repainted *and* gave me a loaner. They could have just balked and went with what the Nissan claims rep said.

That's just one of many things they have done to provide top notch customer service. And they continue to do so....

Wow, I cannot belive the dealer did that!! They are a caring dealership..I know 99% of the ones I have worked for wouldnt.

I haven't dealt with a Nissan dealer yet. I do my own maintenance. However I have dealt with other "non-Nissan" dealers. The car my wife currently drive has free maintenance for 3 /36. The dealer we have to use doesn't perform all the scheduled items such as replacing cabin filter, rotating tires etc. When asked about this I was told "We checked them & they were OK." Just reset the message. I don't know if they perform all the other routine checks but I have my doubts. They DO change the oil & filter. (I check that) If it wasn't free they would not get my business.

I know some brands have no charge maintanance..or if you get the pre paid it is usually an oil change and tire rotation only....I have a feeling most people here do there own maint. and only go to dealers for warranty repairs..

Well, they have to make a profit. They have to feed their families, etc. So yes - I have no problem with them making money. That's what most of us like to do. I think we're fortunate in this area to have a family of dealerships whose owners are immersed in various levels of community, local government, etc. When my wife totalled her 2003 Murano -- I met the "big guy" of the dealership. We're talking the guy who owns everything, drives a H2, etc. He spent some time with me after that accident and made me a lifelong customer.

Those that have screwed me, attempted to screw me - will never see me again.

I've never paid for service at a dealer, just warranty work. It would have to be pretty serious before I paid anybody to work on it. That usually doesn't happen because I don't keep vehicles that seem problematic. I'm sure there are good dealerships out there though along with plenty of bad ones....

Just for peoples knowlege..Pretty much all the managers I have worked with when time comes and someone needs some goodwill warranty or is requesting some help with something, the first question they have is what is the history like??? If they only see warranty repairs...it really hampers them wanting to help...Like I have said previously in another post, dealers dont make very much money at all with warranty claims, they make the money with customer pay services and selling cars and parts....

I have had more good service from the dealer than bad service. I used to expect to pay more, but now they are more competative. Definitely warranty issues are at the dealer.
I had a Honda Accord, that had brake issues like the ones some are experiencing and I went to a brake place that messed them up where I had to buy all new rotors. After that I went to the dealer, because they had to be turned on the car and had no more problems.
There was a Honda dealer that I would never return to, because of some deceptive practices they tried to pull. As it turned out, that dealer is no longer in business. I did find another dealer that was great to deal with.
So far, I have dealt with very professional people at the Nissan dealership I purchased my Titan from, and they have been in business for many years.
I used to like to work on my vehicles, but now the technology has outpaced my potential and desire to do the major repairs.
I still do my oil changes, because I know how to do it and take care of making sure everything seals properly.
I take my wifes to the dealership, because she thinks I'm like Tim "the toolman" Taylor when it comes to working on things. I come out scratched up and burned more times than not. But I stay with it until it's done right.

The service tech told me the other day it upsets him that people only think of them for warranty work. The guys I have spoken with in the shop are good guys, do great work. - Jim

That is true, so many people think all a dealership can do is warranty repairs..Makes me laugh some..they say we can replace transmissions and such as long as its under warranty but cant do an oil change..But yeah, its wierd so few people think of the dealer for any but buying a car or warranty work..

I've had nothing but Great Service at Trophy Nissan in Mesquite, Texas.
So far, the only paid services have been oil changes. But it makes no difference, regardless of Repair (warr. or paid), they treat me and others the same with "Basic Human Respect".

If/When I buy another Nissan, it will be from them.
Any repairs, that I can't handle myself, will be Repaired by Them. I'm happy.

Still waiting for my truck to arrive. I ordered it in the second week of February and when I talked to my salesman the other day, he told me that the dealer only orders cars at the beginning of each month. Oh well, I have to wait another couple weeks for it.

When it comes, I'm probably going to have a maintenance plan added into the deal. When I used to sell cars, the maintenance plan included belts, hoses, brake pads and all fluid maintenance required during the term of the plan. Our other car is an Oldsmobile Intrigue which most oil change places don't stock a filter for. I take it to the gm dealer about a mile from my house and have it changed for 20 bucks in 29 minutes or less. They also helped me rescue my anti theft code for the radio for free when I locked it cause I changed the battery with it locked and no known code.

I used to do all my own maintenance but I make more money in a half an hour on a side job than I pay to have them do it and then they have all responsibility for problems arrising not to mention I don't have to spend a half an hour in line at the auto parts store to buy oil and then take it back to have it recycled. I also drive an explorer that will be sold once I get my truck. I just have my wife get the oil changed on that one at walmart when she shops there. As far as work on vehicles that is non warranty. I do most of it myself. I'm really looking forward to this year because I'm going to stop doing mech work on my daily drivers and start to save it for the project cars. Sure, I'll put my billet grill and chrome adds on myself, but when the time comes to lift the truck, that will be done at a shop or the dealer depending on which one makes me feel most comfortable with the deal. I know a lot of dealers sub out their lifts to different off-road shops since that is where I've been able to actually look at some of the lifted Titan's I've seen.

I used to drive a taurus. at 125000 miles the heater core started leaking. My mom's taurus had the same problem at about the same milage. She had an independent shop do her swap and paid $50 more and then it started leaking again a few months later. My wife was on a trip at Christmas time with our car and just found the closest dealer. They did the work and I put another 40,000 miles on the car before it went the way of the world.

My Titan is the first vehicle that I have let the Dealer do anything on. My service writer is awesome and has always been helpful when I had questions. I use this dealer mostly because of how close he is to my house. Other dealerships I have bought brand new from have been too far away to make it reasonable. All he has done thus far is my two free oil changes and one warranty job (body trim). I have a mechanic that I have used for repairs and state inspection for about 10 years now. I'm a wrench at heart, but don't have the facilities to do it. My biggest heartache with the dealer is thier labor prices. I have a hard time coughing up $75 an hour to do work. I know the dealer mech's are probably a lot better trained than other shops, but that's steep.

Hang in there jjmonkeys. It will be here before ya know it.

That is true, so many people think all a dealership can do is warranty repairs..Makes me laugh some..they say we can replace transmissions and such as long as its under warranty but cant do an oil change..But yeah, its wierd so few people think of the dealer for any but buying a car or warranty work..

Actually most people know the dealerships can do the work, but do not want to pay the dealer twice as much as other shops to do the work. Why would I pay the dealer 90.00 an hour for labor, when another reputable shop in town charges 70.00 an hour. If the dealer shop rates were not as exorbant, I would use them more. Just like the parts department. Since I have worked out a deal with the parts manager for 20% discount I use him for everything, because at the discount he is close enough to the autozone price to go there.

In the past, on other vehicles, I have had work done at the dealership that I paid for, but only when I expressed how high the price was, and they reduced it to get me to do it. The only problem, is i don't like to have to ask for a discount. If they want more cash work they need to be compeditive in the cash world.

I go to the dealer for a lot of my work. Sure they charge a little more but they work on their brand of car all of the time so I would think they might be able to do a better job. Hey there are lousy mechanics anywhere you go so you take your chances.

That being said, my last two trips to the dealer left me dumbfounded. Took the Titan in for an oil change and they forgot to change the oil filter....yep they forgot to change the oil filter.

And I just got some work done on a Ford Escort and when I was checking things out I found an engine mount bolt that they had left completely loose!!

Why do dealers charge more?? One reason is we have alot more invested to be a Dealership..Nissan requires some machines (brake lathes, a/c machines) that we have to use (they arent cheap at all), the training we send our techs to cost us money not only for the class but the time lost from productivity out of the shop, ect....all I am sure you have heard before..so why cant we charge more if we have more?? By the way, do you know how many calls I get each day from these independant places that dont know how to work on your vehicle?? We have access and aqcuired alot of brand knowlege that has cost us alot of time and money to get..and we are supposed to give it away to everyone?? No one wants to pay our prices, but we get tons of calls from people wanting free information/work..No one wants to spend all of there resorces to gain skills then give away all they have done...What if you spend thousands and thousands of dollars to go to school to be a....carpenter, then spends thousands on tools to perform the best work you can, then spent tons to be a "franchise" carpenter and get access to the latest stuff ect..you should be able to charge alittle more for your work, but what if no one had you work on there house..all you did was answer questions for other carpenters to build things for your customer who only comes to you when its warranty and you have to fix it for little/no profit..?? Sorry, I will get off my soap box, like I have said, I want to stay neutral, I am here to understand my customers and help everyone here to get the most from there dealerships or atleast understand (good or bad) why it happend the way it did....

And by the way, I know there are reputable independant places out there...They arent all bad, just like all dealers arent bad.....Like I have said..(broken record) Do what you feel comfortable with, its your money!! :money:

Customer Service and Respect
I have a mechanic that I've used for years. I go there because he is honest and goes the extra mile. He once got into a job for me and when he found out the dealer didn't make the part anymore, he didn't charge me and offered some sound advice. He has even taken my car home overnight to try and locate a problem.

On the otherhand if your first experience with a dealership is having to deal with a salesman . . . who wants more of that.
I have had some very bad experiences with dealerships in the past from lies and broken promises to not honoring the warranty. I don't have the time or patience for that kind of BS. Oh, and the last time I was at my Nissan dealership I went in to buy an oil filter. They quoted me a price over $10.00. I told to forget it that I would just go get a Wix. He came back with a price of $6.00. I always feel like I'm getting screwed. Believe me if there weren't any warranty issues I wouldn't go to a dealership at all.

So you see . . . You have to earn my business. [/b]

With sales...I can understand everyone getting a bad impression of a dealer from that...Honestly, I (and pretty much all other advisors/svc managers I have dealt with) dont even try to learn there names..The sales department acts like a revolving door..So many sales people come and go..plus they only have to deal with you one time, just have to make the sale, anything else falls in our (service) lap..at most dealerships you have only a couple people that have been there for years, have a clientel, and dont have to "sell" anyone..95% of the sales people you talk to have only been there a short time, talk the talk to "sell" you a car so they can get their commission and move on to the next person..I have seen A LOT of sales people, very, very few are longterm, honest, low pressure people..they will promise or twist words to make the sale..thats thier job, thats how they get paid...For service, we have/get to see a customer many times, we try (most of us) to be honest so you will come back and allow us to actually service your vehicle not just perform warranty repairs..But like I have said also in the past, the way everyone at dealerships are paid, we make more when more cars go through the shop..so unfortunately advisors treating you as humans gets lost at times...That is one way we loose business to the independants, they can go the extra mile that we cant or just (honestly) dont get paid to do, and usually if we do, we never see any return from it (money, thanks, doughnuts....) Its a vicious buisiness I tell ya!

Well, I stopped by my dealership today to ask about the permanent brake fix coming up next month. The service writer who had been treating me so well no longer works there (I didn't ask why and doubt I would have been told if I did). The guy who took his place was less than helpful with my questions. He's the one who's going to make money from the fix, (but then again, since it may qualify as warranty work, he may not) so you think he would have done better. Maybe he's just new to the job.

Redright9, we appreciate your concern, but please don't get upset when we voice our oppinions. You are absolutely right about the dealer having the right equipment and the right training. Yes, they deserve to be compensated for it. Some of us are attached to our money and we like to hang on to it. Yes, I have my own mechanic for stuff, but if this new writer turns out to be okay, he may get my business. In the end, he's the one who will get my praise or my anger. Not the mechanic.

I am not taking offense..okay..sometimes I ramble on and get barely miffed...but I know you are just voicing your opinions and I hope everyone knows also that I just want to help you all out..I see so many people come in each day that are so confused about the processes we have to follow..and simple things that should be simple, but because of all the hoops we have to jump through arent..I do forget at times (since I work at a dealer) how it can be..but no offense is taken at my part..sometimes i just vent..but i know we are all here to get along and to help each other..

Redright - Thanks for offering your help, but to be honest with you most people when they spend their hard earned money on a 30,000 dollar vehicle, don't really care what kind of hoops you have to jump to to get it fixed, they just want it done, and done right.

You are right it is our money and we will do with as we like, and if a dealer treats me like cattle during warranty work, there is no way I will pay more for the same service I can get else where for much less. I am not attcking you in anyway. I have never been to your dealership, and have no idea how you work, I am sure you don't treat your customers like cattle, but way to many do. If you want to help your customers take what is said here to heart and realize, we are the customers you are trying to help, and no matter how wrong our opinions are, we are still the customer, and the customer is always right. That is the only way to stay in business. If ever a place I spend my hard earned dollars treats me like cattle to increase productivity, and tells me I am wrong, I will find somebody else who is more than willing to get my money.

I havent ever had a problem with my customer satisfaction..I try to treat my customers well..I am sure at times I dont do as good as a job as I should, I am only human..And I am listening to what everyone here is saying..I believe it will help me help you/my customers..But one thing working at a dealerhip and some independants is that dealerships can get full of themselves..they get stuck in a mode..and I have seen when I want to help a customer or know that something should be warranty but my manager says no or do something different...Then I look like the bad guy..but thats my job..But I also know dealers can be good places, if you find a good one with good people..but that is hard to do..I am not taking offense to anything said and I hope no one here is also taking offense to what I am saying..also I hope no one is thinking I am just here to defend a dealer..I just want to tell you what happends..It took me a while to learn how it works and if I can spred some of that knowlege it may help someone to either understand that we are trying to help or our head is in our ***..

Redright9:
I commend you for asking such an open ended question as you did. :beating:

It shows me, especially after reading the posts and your responses, that you do care about providing quality, professional service to your clients.

I am glad to have you available on this forum to get your opinion about servicing my Titan.

:thumbsup:

Thank you.
That is very much appreciated.

Just curious what people think and would say..
Do you think the dealer is a rip off??
What kind of work do you think they perform??
What type of work do you get performed at the dealer??
1. Yes
2. Mediocre/Half-asterisk
3. Warranty only

When I have dealer work done, I always have to double check their work and frequently have to clean up after them.

1. Probably, but not much worse then many reputable independent shops.
2. Have not had a problem yet...so it can't be too bad.
3. I have them do pretty much everything from oil changes to warranty.
I am not a mechanic nor to a play one on TV. I read these boards to see what should be done when it should be and how often. I wish I had the time and the skills, but I don't.

Just curious what people think and would say..
Do you think the dealer is a rip off??
What kind of work do you think they perform??
What type of work do you get performed at the dealer??

When my 02 Maxima was hit by a rock, the paint started *literally* peeling off the nose of the car. A Nissan rep came out and denied the claim on the paint due to it being hit by a rock. Now we're talking about a patch of missing paint 4 inches long by and inch and a half high. When the Nissan rep denied the claim, the dealership sent my car to a very reputable paint shop and had the nose of my car repainted *and* gave me a loaner. They could have just balked and went with what the Nissan claims rep said.

That's just one of many things they have done to provide top notch customer service. And they continue to do so....[/QUOTE]

Thank god the dealer decided to take care of you anyone else on the face of the planet would have told you to pound sand. Your the type of ******* who stand s out on my service drive and makes an *** out of himself. You hit a rock. Or a rock hit you. It is an act of God. Maybe a lightning strike would have been bettter for you. Or would you go to the dealer and complain about improper insulation in the roof.

wow, Bodean, that was harsh.

Yea that was about 3 or 4 days ago at the introduction of the forum. I wasn't very happy and that was exactly the type of thing that gets to me over the course of the day. Some one buys a car, gets into an accident or blows a tire on something in the road and it's the dealers fault.
I apologize to instinkt. Actually on reflection that is one of the nicest things I have ever heard of a dealer doing. But to ask them to do it is rediculous. You think we've made millions off you because you bought a new car and we should replace or repair everything that goes wrong. It may not be your fault but it probably isn't ours. We just get saddled with the burden of being the "end seller".

I agree with your sentiment just not the way it was expressed. lol :):):). I too, have been in this bussiness for a lo-o-o-ong time and have seen several obvious things that shouldn't be covered. But, there are times, depending on the customer, service history, loyaltythat can justify doing a repair under a goodwill situation. I don't know the whole story of the paint situation but it seems to me the service dept. tried to take a difficult situation and make it good. Think about this, if it had not been repaired we would be hearing about how badly to service was. The rep made a sound call based on evidence shown and the dealer deciced to override the decision. It can be done but it is a case by case decision. I have to routinely deny claims or repairs based on evidence I find and I try to determine the best course of action for each decline. I appluad the dealer for acting as it did, yet I do also think it would be better if people would unuderstand that warranty doesn't cover accidental damage.

Peace be with my fellow service brethern.

Assuming the post about the paint is true, I think the customer isn't necessarily
wrong. He said it was hit by a rock, not a boulder. To have the paint in an
area 4"X1 1/2" come off points to very poor paint adhesion on the plastic.
Many years ago I had an encounter with an arrogant service dept manager.
I guess he thought he had alot of power because he had a little office.
Soon after he was working out of his tool box again.
It's amusing how many employees at some dealers try to act like they are the owner.

You make a good point about the paint. Even with the advances in paint there does lie the remote possiblilty of poor adhesion.

I think you also have a good point about the power thing, This seems to affect many people inmany different walks of life.

You make a good point about the paint. Even with the advances in paint there does lie the remote possiblilty of poor adhesion.

I think you also have a good point about the power thing, This seems to affect many people inmany different walks of life.
There have been on & off problems since the 70's with paint adhesion on the
plastic bumpers. The company I worked for UCC/Dow made one of the first
chemicals, caprolactone, that was used to make a coating for the plastic
bumpers to improve paint adhesion. I'm sure they have tried different chemicals
over the yrs & like any "good" business are always trying to find a way to do it cheaper.
The worst I had was a 1990 Mazda 929. If I looked hard at the paint on the plastic
bumper it would fall off.

I honestly hated my dealership to the point that I coulda punched out the salesman not to mention they gave me a jacked up radio that ate 2 of my cds and had to fight them to get a replacement ..not to mention my cds..in my ranting at them I swore that no one in the military would EVER be there again.. They jacked the price up a grand because I was financing through them instead of my own company as well.. Nissan of ST. PETE Florida(tampa) ..and 2 years later I still haven't been back..

Reading this just goes to show that there are two viewpoints in every arguement.

The dealer on one side and the customer on the other.

On either side of the problem there should be honesty and reasonablness. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case. So we get some dealers that aren't the best and have poor reputations. We also have the worst of customers that earn their own poor reputation amongst the dealer's staff on the other side.

I personally treat the situation as fairly as I can when I visit a dealer/service manager and keep it as low key as possible. To me, good manners ensure I'm treated the same in return. I've always enjoyed good dealer/customer relationships with all my vehicles EXCEPT when I owned a genuine POS Chevy Citation! What a piece of crap and it was serviced by a bunch of ham-fisted jerks. Of course it didn't help that GM's replacement parts were made of the same POS quality. Vowed never to return to a GM dealer/car and have authorized all my friends to shoot me on sight if I should accidently wander in that direction. Put me out of my mysery early please! That was my first and last purchase of an AMERICAN brand vehicle!

Ralph

I like my dealership, at least the service department. I take it there for warranty and service. It looks better when I trade it in.

aloha everyone ive been reading everyone comments on dealerships for my expeirence I dont like dealerships I live on rock in the middle of the ocean on maui we only have one dealership that sells nissans so they can charge whatever they want and for me to service my truck routine changes is a real hassle I would come in at 7am and leave at 10am for a oil change ? the thing is even though I dislike going to the dealership I like having the security of having prof maintaing my truck and the printed reicept.so I deal with it

Hey Mack
I was just looking through some of your old posts and I have a suggestion for you.
Why dont you go up to Goodyear tire and service right here in town to service your truck? I just had service done on my truck and it's like $30 and they dont take more than 1 hour. Just make sure you call early on Monday to get a prime choice of days and times for the following week.

Let me tell you about me dealer I took my truck in today because my airbag l;ight was flashing when I went offroad last weekend I guess I hit something in the front to trigger the light to go off anyway when I was there they saw that I put on some Nevada Pin striping and they offerd to give me a freewax jovb to see if they can get most of them out well I will bne back on tuesday to have them wax my truck for free and they are going to try and do the timeing advance. So I can say that Nissan of Reno has so far been great with me Whgen my rearend went out I got my truck back the same day I took it in with a new rearend in it. Peace Out....

like i said dealers r there own worst enemy

Working with the auto industry for the past 3 years, I have seen many dealers that are great with cs, and lots of dealers that suck at it. There are 2 Nissan dealers close to me. I chose the dealer I did because of how well I was treated as a business partner. And they haven't failed me yet. I had a flat tire when I left for work a few months ago. Tried to fix it with the jack in the truck - which broke. I called my dealer which is 30 minutes from my house, and the service advisor sent someone to my house within minutes. I had to borrow a friend's car to get to work, but the dealer came out and put on my spare for me and then replaced the broken jack for me. NO CHARGE. And I don't have a service plan or anything. 2 other times when I had my truck in for service the owner of the dealership let me borrow his truck to run errands around town. Now granted, we are small town, but still. I currently work for a Harley dealership and I know how dealers can get a bad rap. Sometimes it's warranted, but sometimes it's because the customer is having a bad day, already has their tailfeathers ruffled, or just simply didn't get what they want. It doesn't necessarily mean the dealer didn't try to help them.
Make sense?

although i haven't had my truck long and as soon as i get over there i know it needs it's first service the way the dealer treated me when i first bought it was still 100% better than any dealership i've had to deal with over here in england. over here you order your car/truck then you have to wait 3 months for them to get it ready for you they only give you enough gas in the tank to get you to the nearest station they don't give you a free first service of any sort and make you sign so that you car has to be serviced with them for the next 2 yrs. So how supprised (and happy) when i went into my local dealer saw the truck and was told i could leave with it in a few hrs with a full tank of gas and the first service free. i have been in several times to get the odd bit for my truck and they always greet and ask how things are with the truck to which i am gob smacked at how i am treated. so all i can say is get me the hell over there ASAP which will be 10days and counting :)

Hey,

Its the auto industry. It can happen in dealerships and side shops as well. I have worked for dealerships all my life, as a Master Tech and Service Manager.

Alot of dealerships are honest, and price competitive. Alot of the time you will get your best work done at a dealership. For example:
Take your Titan to a Joe Smoe shop for a problem. Their labor rate is $60.00 per hour. It takes them 4 hours to diagnose and then 4 hours to repair. $480.00 in Labor. Go to the dealer for same situation. Dealer works on your vehicle all the time, probably have seen your same problem and fixed it before. Labor rate $90.00 per hour. 1 hour to diagnose and 2 hours to repair. $270.00 Labor Cost.

Most side shops work on so many different cars, that they do not know your vehicle inside and out. Dealerships work exclusively on your vehicle all the time, and have the MFG for assistance.

Now. Like I said, Some dealers are very good, honest, and loyal to their customers.

INDUSTRY, NOT DEALERSHIPS cause problems.

Technicians are paid FLAT rate. So a tech gets paid by the job. So, if he gets a job that pays 4 hours book time, and he does it in 2, then he is making money. If it pays 2 and he takes 4, then he loses money. Techs have to buy their own tools, which is thousands of dollars. It is hard to keep up cause you are buying tools all the time to keep up with changing things.

Some techs are very good, thorough. Some techs try to beat the clock so much that they do the jobs too fast, make mistakes or do shortcuts. This is at MOST shops, not just dealers. Sometimes the way techs are paid can make a good tech a thief, just to make hours.

Some shops and dealerships pay their SERVICE ADVISORS by the hours they sell. This can make a Service Writer dishonest. Charging you extra hours or more time then it actually pays, etc.

The industry works off book time. For instance, look up a flat rate time on a water pump for a blah blah car. It says labor is 3.5 hours. You are charged 3.5 hours even if the tech does it in 1.5 hours. This is standard and is actually fair. BUT some techs or Advisors might see the book time is 3.5 hours and charge you 4.5.. instead. This is where the dishonesty comes into play.

Now keep in mind, if a job pays 3.5, and then a bolt snaps or something, you can expect to pay more then the 3.5 hours. Another example is, if a water pump pays 3.5, and you need hoses and a thermostat, the combined job probably would pay 5.0 hours. BUT greedy advisors and techs could try to charge you for each individual job separately, and it would total 7.0 hours, which stealing cause there is overlap in there. You don't have to drain and refill the radiator for each time, so the time should be cut down for doing related repairs.

Don't be so quick to put down dealers, cause side shops that are inexperienced or greedy can be worse then a dealer.

Most dealers rely on their reputation and work close to the manufacturer to do good work and honest work. You get ripped off at joe smoe shop, THEY don't care and the MFG don't want to hear about it.

Funny you should ask..

Today (Friday) an oil change special came in the mail. $21.88 for oil and filter (V8's extra).

The card has a nasty little comment too: "According to our records, your 2006 Nissan Titan is PAST DUE for REGULAR SERVICE according to the guidelines of your Manufacturers Warranty."

My truck has had one oil change since 12/05...total mileage on the odometer since new: 3324.

Scare tactics by dealers...what else is new!

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There are two sides to a coin, however.

What ItalyGuy said is so true...Indie shops have neither the tools, manuals, or diagnostic equipment to repair your vehicle. The mechanics are undertrained...most shops will hire guys off the street with only so-so mechanical skills, if any. You get what you pay for.

Mechanics who work in indie shops would make far more money working for a dealership, so why aren't they working there? Mechanics are in short supply nationwide.

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Owners that mistrust dealers...is usually brought upon by the purchase, not the service.

Funny you should ask..

Today (Friday) an oil change special came in the mail. $21.88 for oil and filter (V8's extra).

The card has a nasty little comment too: "According to our records, your 2006 Nissan Titan is PAST DUE for REGULAR SERVICE according to the guidelines of your Manufacturers Warranty."

My truck has had one oil change since 12/05...total mileage on the odometer since new: 3324.

Scare tactics by dealers...what else is new!

*** *** ***

There are two sides to a coin, however.

What ItalyGuy said is so true...Indie shops have neither the tools, manuals, or diagnostic equipment to repair your vehicle. The mechanics are undertrained...most shops will hire guys off the street with only so-so mechanical skills, if any. You get what you pay for.

Mechanics who work in indie shops would make far more money working for a dealership, so why aren't they working there? Mechanics are in short supply nationwide.

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Owners that mistrust dealers...is usually brought upon by the purchase, not the service.
I got the same card in the mail a few days ago..

Mass mailing...ya gotta love it!