I want to & will supply my own oil because in an older Boxster I want a heavier grade than there one size suits all solution. Not a great fan of Mobil 1 either TBH.

They can't refuse if it meets Porsche specs.

Exactly my thoughts, well said

Saj

Really? It's not actually a like for like comparison though is it, given that negotiations on price and things like supplying your own oil are normal occurrences in the motor trade. Unless you never even negotiate on any prices with Porsche at all, you can't really compare - that is assuming you don't negotiate with the restaurant over what you are going to pay for your dinner before you order.

The oil in this case is the exact same product, not a supermarket alternative, and there is certainly no 'corkage' to pay on supplying your own oil. Anyway, I'm all in favour of restaurants that allow a BYO option! Nothing wrong with it IMO - found it quite common over in Australia and it was brilliant.

Some people are happy to pay Porsche's often ridiculously high prices, and they are welcome to do so, but frankly they are being had. Others, like me, want the Porsche stamps and have warranties to adhere to, but don't like giving money away unnecessarily knowing full well that there are other people having the same work done at the same place, for a lot less. It usually takes very little effort to get a substantial discount from an OPC, which to me, shows that they always quote high in the hope that they can mug you for a little bit more than they should - a bit of commission for the service assistant I bet.

With restaurants, it's not the done thing to negotiate. But you have more choice as to where you can eat, and which places suit the amount you want to spend. Unlike the Porsche warranty scheme, Bupa/The NHS isn't likely to refuse you an operation because you ate at a 'McDonalds' instead of at 'The Fat Duck'.

One visit will be enough.

[quote=ChipsAndCheese]

Really? It's not actually a like for like comparison though is it, given that negotiations on price and things like supplying your own oil are normal occurrences in the motor trade. Unless you

"Normal" I have owned and run numerous cars over the years, and its only here I have read of this. "negotiations" precisely if you must negotiate not take your own oil that to me is not the correct thing to do and I am surprised Porsche allow this.

Some people are happy to pay Porsche's often ridiculously high prices. If they are ridiculous do not take your car there.

Sorry not being aggressive just typing my thoughts

Saj

How about negotiating on them until they're something you can live with? That's what I did, and I'm glad I did - I got excellent service, so far as I can tell good workmanship AND I got the important OPC stamp. I can't believe anybody thinks this is somehow rude or unprofessional.

I accept that in, say, a restaurant, or a supermarket, you can't negotiate, but in many other places, particularly smaller businesses, you can - and so I do. I got £200 off my watch - should I have paid more?

Precisely "Negotiate" if there is room you are all happy.

Saj

The only time i have ever seen my line of work mentionned and recognised!

Bugger

Kind of. Except you're not actually sitting down and enjoying the ambience.

OPCs have opportunities to charge as they want for labour and official parts. Massive mark ups on generic goods like oil are just insulting, in my view.

I fully appreciate they have expensive premises and overheads to support. But that's precisely why I wouldn't use one unless I had a car in the extended warranty scheme and it was compulsory. Why would you want to support expensive premises that benefit you almost nothing? I would expect a good indy to be better at looking after the car, too. There's so much more incentive for indies to do a good job. And with anything that's even slightly older, they probably have more recent experience.