Dealership repair - no deal

[offroad]

So went to the dealership to get a recall safety issue looked at. And sure enough they have to order the part.

But they found about $4000 of other repairs they think should be done. Thanks for the upsell diagnostics but not really having any problems and will do some comparison shopping for repairs.

Might need a CV axle fix for $300. But all the rest sound too expensive. For example timing chain oil leak was estimated at $2000 for repair cost. Crazy costs are how dealerships make money.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

So went to the dealership to get a recall safety issue looked at. And sure enough they have to order the part.

But they found about $4000 of other repairs they think should be done. Thanks for the upsell diagnostics but not really having any problems and will do some comparison shopping for repairs.

Might need a CV axle fix for $300. But all the rest sound too expensive. For example timing chain oil leak was estimated at $2000 for repair cost. Crazy costs are how dealerships make money.

I worked as a parts guy at a Chrysler dealership for a while 30 years ago. It was eye-opening.

The owner was an ex car salesman.

The Chrysler factory rep told me that pretty much ALL dealerships are owned by car salesmen, most of whom simply want to sell cars, and who would happily do away with the repair and parts departments if they could. The manufacturers require these departments as a condition for getting the franchise.

Many of the owners see these departments as money losing drains on their profitability. It doesn't surprise me that the owners are constantly pushing for those departments to make more money.

Regards
John

 

[offroad]

Toyota dealership prices for parts are crazy high. May have to switch to as Subaru as a next car.

 

[LeeRevell]

Sounds a bit different from motorcycle shops - the maintenance shop is their 'bread & butter' and really pays the bills. During the recent economic crunch, some shops here went under as their products simply weren't selling. The shop kept them going for awhile, til it got so bad the owners began doing their own maintenance - I do. I order the parts online - MUCH cheaper! Then learned to do my own work. I can't pay shop labor.

 

[Drifted_Cowboy]

You should probably just get a new one. They can throw the old one out for fora disposal fee.

Lol

 

[cannedsquatch]

Options: fix them yourself, feel good after all is said and done...
Take it to a reputable maintenance shop, pay the money, drive away.
Scrap it: take it to the crushers/u pick it, make a small amount of money, cry when you get significantly less.
Search the scrap yards, find what you need, determine if part still has some work letlft in it, slowly transform van into a franken mobile...

 

[Patrick46]

Sounds a bit different from motorcycle shops - the maintenance shop is their 'bread & butter' and really pays the bills. During the recent economic crunch, some shops here went under as their products simply weren't selling. The shop kept them going for awhile, til it got so bad the owners began doing their own maintenance - I do. I order the parts online - MUCH cheaper! Then learned to do my own work. I can't pay shop labor.

The reason that their products weren't selling, is that people didn't have the extra money for thier toys anymore. Reality set in, and they just weren't a priority anymore.

I own a graphics business, and I also build hot-rods & custom motorcycles.
6 years ago when the economy took the big hit, my business got hit really hard.
People didn't have enough money to pay their mortages, and forget about the extra money for 'toys'. Many, MANY hot-rods, boats, motorcycles and RV's all sold for pennies on the dollar. This is why so many small shops went under. (this wouldda been a good time to have had some extra cash laying around as there were some outrageous deals to be had!)
As the dust has settled from that experience, the folks (who didn't lose their toys) have now found that they can order the same parts on the interwebs as their parts guy can...at a great savings.
Even with graphics...guys are selling decal sets for next to nuthin', and newbies (who have absolutely NO business advertising thier work) are selling complete paintjobs on the web for less than the cost of materials...simply to build up their portfolios. (half the pictures in their on-line albums is of work that they didn't even do!!!) :huh: Who can compete with that???

The mechianics at the local Harley STEALership had to go through schooling to be certified as factory mechanics (a $30,000 school btw)...but make $13.50 an HOUR??? Who can live on that???

Things have gotten outta hand, and the good people who fix our stuff for us are a dieing breed in this 'disposable society' we live in.

If you find a good one...give him all the support that you possibly can...he needs it!!

 

[Zil]

When i worked as mechanic, most shops were 50/50 commission. A few were hourly with % commission. All required me to have my own hand tools and clothing.

 

[GotSmart]

I remember the family mechanic stuck a wad of chewing gum in a leak in the gas tank, and told us to bring it back when it was almost empty. The bill to patch it was $15.00, and a pack of gum.

 

[Bdog1]

"Zil....When i worked as mechanic, most shops were 50/50 commission. A few were hourly with % commission. All required me to have my own hand tools and clothing."

Man! Are those days long gone! More like 20% now! The ones getting rich at the dealers are not the guys with the wrenches. Trust me.

 

[offroad]

And the dealership was wrong about the repair. Might be a leaking power steering pump. Will see.