Reasons why you don’t go to a main dealer for a service
Discussion
dunc01965 said:
When badge snobbery became a thing dealers realised they could basically charge what they wanted for parts and labour because the must have's would pay anything to drive around in a car with the right badge on.
Whereas back street garages know utter plebs don't care about their crummy cars and will accept cheap knock-off parts hammered on by a spotty yoof.Such generalisations are pretty pointless.
I usually use a local specialist for my 15year old Audi.
I took it to Audi for its last service though and will take it again. There is/was a fixed price service offering that was scaled by engine size - up to 2.0L was £150 or so and over 2.0L was £210 from memory.
Considering the car is a 5.2L and needs around 10 litres of oil for a full change it worked out remarkably well good value. Included a courtesy car so I could carry on to work for the day too. The most local dealer did refuse the business though on the grounds that they would usually charge more for just that quantity of oil!
I took it to Audi for its last service though and will take it again. There is/was a fixed price service offering that was scaled by engine size - up to 2.0L was £150 or so and over 2.0L was £210 from memory.
Considering the car is a 5.2L and needs around 10 litres of oil for a full change it worked out remarkably well good value. Included a courtesy car so I could carry on to work for the day too. The most local dealer did refuse the business though on the grounds that they would usually charge more for just that quantity of oil!
Edited by a7x88 on Friday 26th February 17:44
swisstoni said:
I use dealer servicing to keep MDSH up on cars I care about keeping resale value on. I also like a courtesy car.
The key is to keep them to their fixed service price.
Anything else they find that needs fixing, I’ll weigh up whether I want them to do it. My usual response is ‘no’ as I’ll normally want to have a think about it.
Anything a bit open ended, that needs a bit of common sense investigation, I won’t take near a main dealer.
They are basically a servicing sausage factory.
It would be extremely rare that a car would retain the difference in value that you've spent extra at a main dealer, unless we're talking the first minor service only. The key is to keep them to their fixed service price.
Anything else they find that needs fixing, I’ll weigh up whether I want them to do it. My usual response is ‘no’ as I’ll normally want to have a think about it.
Anything a bit open ended, that needs a bit of common sense investigation, I won’t take near a main dealer.
They are basically a servicing sausage factory.
I actually prefer to see a stack of parts receipts and a knowledgeable owner over dealer stamps.
But I'm probably in the minority on that one.
Majorslow said:
My Old 1999 Volvo gets main dealer service because they give me full European breakdown cover, which I can't get unless I donate a kidney to the likes of the AA/RAC owing to age of the car.
That's one of the few reasons I've seen on here for going to a dealer that makes sense to me. A bit like the £9.99 p/m bank accounts. The worldwide family travel insurance and European breakdown cover are worth it on their own (although I think Nationwide have taken some of the benefits away)
I've found their policies are generally way less restrictive too than ones you can find on comparison sites.
Every day a journey said:
jimmy156 said:
I’ve always preferred to use an independent, but I can say the only truly good one I ever found was the Alfa workshop in Royston. I drove an hour and a bit to use them, truly fantastic!
Since changing the car I’ve tried very hard to find good indy’s and some reasonable, most a ball ache.
The most local one to me has great reviews, does work with a very well known mclaren specialist, always got interesting stuff in there, and I have to say they are exceptionally helpful and courteous. But they are more expensive than the local dealer! And have made a handful of silly mistakes when using them recently that means I’ve lost faith in them (tyres fitted backwards, oil filter seals pinched etc)
firstly, should have gone to A for Alfa in Aylesbury. Awesome.Since changing the car I’ve tried very hard to find good indy’s and some reasonable, most a ball ache.
The most local one to me has great reviews, does work with a very well known mclaren specialist, always got interesting stuff in there, and I have to say they are exceptionally helpful and courteous. But they are more expensive than the local dealer! And have made a handful of silly mistakes when using them recently that means I’ve lost faith in them (tyres fitted backwards, oil filter seals pinched etc)
Secondly, as per your garage, you have two cars from the same manufacturer who are well known for their monstrously ridiculous parts/servicing. Yet you find an indie that is more expensive than a Nelson???
can’t rate them high enough!Garage is out of date... the 3 series only lasted 4 days before it was written off, had a mk6 golf GTi for just over a year now. Part of living in the south east means cheap servicing is hard to come by!
jimmy156 said:
Hadn’t of a is for Alfa, but I would literally buy another Alfa so I could use the Alfa workshop again can’t rate them high enough!
Garage is out of date... the 3 series only lasted 4 days before it was written off, had a mk6 golf GTi for just over a year now. Part of living in the south east means cheap servicing is hard to come by!
Jamie (I think) at Alfa Workshop is good. Paul at A for Alfa is GOD-LIKE when it comes to Alfas. can’t rate them high enough!Garage is out of date... the 3 series only lasted 4 days before it was written off, had a mk6 golf GTi for just over a year now. Part of living in the south east means cheap servicing is hard to come by!
rockin said:
dunc01965 said:
When badge snobbery became a thing dealers realised they could basically charge what they wanted for parts and labour because the must have's would pay anything to drive around in a car with the right badge on.
Whereas back street garages know utter plebs don't care about their crummy cars and will accept cheap knock-off parts hammered on by a spotty yoof.Such generalisations are pretty pointless.
Edited by dunc01965 on Friday 26th February 19:10
I've a garage local to me which are literally on a back street, only deal with cash and will take on any job. They did the pads and discs on my shed, the ARB bushes on my Evora and the rear silencer on my Clio V6. I trust them infinitely more than I'd trust any polished tiled dealer.
dunc01965 said:
rockin said:
dunc01965 said:
When badge snobbery became a thing dealers realised they could basically charge what they wanted for parts and labour because the must have's would pay anything to drive around in a car with the right badge on.
Whereas back street garages know utter plebs don't care about their crummy cars and will accept cheap knock-off parts hammered on by a spotty yoof.Such generalisations are pretty pointless.
Edited by dunc01965 on Friday 26th February 19:10
There's really no need to get so riled about it and start with the insults.
dunc01965 said:
rockin said:
dunc01965 said:
When badge snobbery became a thing dealers realised they could basically charge what they wanted for parts and labour because the must have's would pay anything to drive around in a car with the right badge on.
Whereas back street garages know utter plebs don't care about their crummy cars and will accept cheap knock-off parts hammered on by a spotty yoof.Such generalisations are pretty pointless.
Edited by dunc01965 on Friday 26th February 19:10
Zoobeef said:
No idea why car mechanics stick it out for such crap pay.
Use those same level 3 qualifications to work on rail and go from low £20ks to £40k+ with no targets or pressure.
We had one join last year from a back street garage and he thinks he now has the best job in the world. Yet his old work colleagues either don't believe him or can't be arsed to double their income.
Me neither and this coming from said tech at a main dealer. Im 28 and had enough of the trade the other older than me cant wait to retire one is leaving end of the year at 55 another one 52 will be doing similar. Im sticking it out atm as ive just got my first house so my concentration is on that but once im more settled I will be off as well.Use those same level 3 qualifications to work on rail and go from low £20ks to £40k+ with no targets or pressure.
We had one join last year from a back street garage and he thinks he now has the best job in the world. Yet his old work colleagues either don't believe him or can't be arsed to double their income.
ChocolateFrog said:
It would be extremely rare that a car would retain the difference in value that you've spent extra at a main dealer, unless we're talking the first minor service only.
I actually prefer to see a stack of parts receipts and a knowledgeable owner over dealer stamps.
But I'm probably in the minority on that one.
I'm with you ...I actually prefer to see a stack of parts receipts and a knowledgeable owner over dealer stamps.
But I'm probably in the minority on that one.
This is a really cheesy reason why I dislike main dealers and I know I will get some stick for it, but here goes:
My local MINI and BMW dealer have receptionists/door greeters who welcome you to the showroom (a small dislike of this is that someone has to be called out if you want parts). But my main gripe about them is the way they have been taught to say goodbye to customers. Not "Goodbye" which would be perfectly acceptable or "Thank you, bye". But they say "Have a lovely rest of the day!"
When you're sitting in the waiting area having the 5th cup of coffee and they've said it 100 times to everyone that has left, then they say it to you, it just seems so insincere. It's not the ladies fault (and it is mainly ladies) and they are following the script. But it's a bulls
t script and narks me unnecessarily that I don't want to return or endure the faux adieu. It reminds of the other W A N K that premium brands love - brand managers or brand specialists.
Thank you for listening and the therapy in allowing me to get this off my chest.
My local MINI and BMW dealer have receptionists/door greeters who welcome you to the showroom (a small dislike of this is that someone has to be called out if you want parts). But my main gripe about them is the way they have been taught to say goodbye to customers. Not "Goodbye" which would be perfectly acceptable or "Thank you, bye". But they say "Have a lovely rest of the day!"
When you're sitting in the waiting area having the 5th cup of coffee and they've said it 100 times to everyone that has left, then they say it to you, it just seems so insincere. It's not the ladies fault (and it is mainly ladies) and they are following the script. But it's a bulls
t script and narks me unnecessarily that I don't want to return or endure the faux adieu. It reminds of the other W A N K that premium brands love - brand managers or brand specialists.Thank you for listening and the therapy in allowing me to get this off my chest.
itcaptainslow said:
Service managers are “well paid”? Strewth, I wish they’d told my DP that-I was the lowest paid manager in the business yet my department made the most profit.
The concept of the service department supporting the rest of the dealership even has a name-the Service Absorption Rate.
I feel fairly well paid at £30k plus (with bonus) as a service advisor. No service manager I've worked with seems unhappy with their wage. I do not however earn as much as a technician.. The concept of the service department supporting the rest of the dealership even has a name-the Service Absorption Rate.
dunc01965 said:
rockin said:
dunc01965 said:
When badge snobbery became a thing dealers realised they could basically charge what they wanted for parts and labour because the must have's would pay anything to drive around in a car with the right badge on.
Whereas back street garages know utter plebs don't care about their crummy cars and will accept cheap knock-off parts hammered on by a spotty yoof.Such generalisations are pretty pointless.
Edited by dunc01965 on Friday 26th February 19:10
It's the dealerships that do things on the cheap, run by pencil pushers, use the cheapest labour, charge the most for profit.
These "back street" garages usually value their reputation because it's ALL they have to trade on, they don't get a steady stream of coffee chugging idiots through the door, their core business is local taxi firms and tradesmen, as well as loyal customers.
lyonspride said:
dunc01965 said:
rockin said:
dunc01965 said:
When badge snobbery became a thing dealers realised they could basically charge what they wanted for parts and labour because the must have's would pay anything to drive around in a car with the right badge on.
Whereas back street garages know utter plebs don't care about their crummy cars and will accept cheap knock-off parts hammered on by a spotty yoof.Such generalisations are pretty pointless.
Edited by dunc01965 on Friday 26th February 19:10
It's the dealerships that do things on the cheap, run by pencil pushers, use the cheapest labour, charge the most for profit.
These "back street" garages usually value their reputation because it's ALL they have to trade on, they don't get a steady stream of coffee chugging idiots through the door, their core business is local taxi firms and tradesmen, as well as loyal customers.
Dog Star said:
Well Nick - I'm not lying. Call MB in Leeds. Tell them you have a 68 plate E220d with 16K on it that needs it's second service - B1. Last one done at just shy of 14K a year before. They will quote you £576. I'm not making this up.
I paid at a local BMW/Merc indie who updated all the digital service record £225. I can scan said invoice if you wish. That's £351 saved on a basic service on a pretty new car that needed no work. Nice garage too. God knows what a major service at a main agent costs!
What is the shiny glass/coffee worth? £50? £100? £200? It sure as hell isn't £351!
(Actually you can't have the coffee and biscuits: covid).
Sorry I didn't realise this was from direct experience. It's quite shocking and I don't blame you for going indy. This proves that polarised views either way make no sense, I am glad I only have a BMW and that their main dealers are so much more pragmatic and competitive with their pricing vs indy pricing! I paid at a local BMW/Merc indie who updated all the digital service record £225. I can scan said invoice if you wish. That's £351 saved on a basic service on a pretty new car that needed no work. Nice garage too. God knows what a major service at a main agent costs!
What is the shiny glass/coffee worth? £50? £100? £200? It sure as hell isn't £351!
(Actually you can't have the coffee and biscuits: covid).
dunc01965 said:
rockin said:
dunc01965 said:
When badge snobbery became a thing dealers realised they could basically charge what they wanted for parts and labour because the must have's would pay anything to drive around in a car with the right badge on.
Whereas back street garages know utter plebs don't care about their crummy cars and will accept cheap knock-off parts hammered on by a spotty yoof.Such generalisations are pretty pointless.
MG CHRIS said:
Zoobeef said:
No idea why car mechanics stick it out for such crap pay.
Use those same level 3 qualifications to work on rail and go from low £20ks to £40k+ with no targets or pressure.
We had one join last year from a back street garage and he thinks he now has the best job in the world. Yet his old work colleagues either don't believe him or can't be arsed to double their income.
Me neither and this coming from said tech at a main dealer. Im 28 and had enough of the trade the other older than me cant wait to retire one is leaving end of the year at 55 another one 52 will be doing similar. Im sticking it out atm as ive just got my first house so my concentration is on that but once im more settled I will be off as well.Use those same level 3 qualifications to work on rail and go from low £20ks to £40k+ with no targets or pressure.
We had one join last year from a back street garage and he thinks he now has the best job in the world. Yet his old work colleagues either don't believe him or can't be arsed to double their income.
ks off to do whatever, mechanic becomes unpaid receptionist etc. 3rd parties come on premises, ( key man, dent man, smart repair, Valeter etc) car is blocked in, auction cars often have little fuel or battery will be dead. Can’t find keys, because they have not been tagged correctly with reg number. Customers often want to drop cars off at 8am ie before they go to work, no way owner wants to be there at 8am, (even though it’s his business), pressgangs some poor mechanic into doing it. And so it goes on. It’s amazing how many small business owners don’t actually want to be on site at thier own business premises?? Edited by markcoznottz on Saturday 27th February 14:00
dunc01965 said:
lyonspride said:
dunc01965 said:
rockin said:
dunc01965 said:
When badge snobbery became a thing dealers realised they could basically charge what they wanted for parts and labour because the must have's would pay anything to drive around in a car with the right badge on.
Whereas back street garages know utter plebs don't care about their crummy cars and will accept cheap knock-off parts hammered on by a spotty yoof.Such generalisations are pretty pointless.
Edited by dunc01965 on Friday 26th February 19:10
It's the dealerships that do things on the cheap, run by pencil pushers, use the cheapest labour, charge the most for profit.
These "back street" garages usually value their reputation because it's ALL they have to trade on, they don't get a steady stream of coffee chugging idiots through the door, their core business is local taxi firms and tradesmen, as well as loyal customers.
Lots of people drive s
te old cars because they can't afford a newer car or don't give a crap. You can't generalise.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff