Do you have to take your car in for service at the dealer?
If you’ve ever felt you got a raw deal taking your car in for service at the dealer, our anonymous service manager says that may well be true. But he also cites a number of reasons to take your car to the dealer for work anyway—and tells how not to get the short end of the stick when you do.
Why do car dealerships fight the service manager?
Because the people who fulfill the generic contracts are paid by how little service they have to do. So they fight the dealer on every penny. They’ll want to see the entire labor record on the car. They won’t want to pay for parts. They’ll fight on the cost of the labor.
Where can I get a full car service?
In most instances, only licensed car dealerships with attached service centers will provide such services. There are, of course, independent auto shops that can provide manufacturer car service. It would be best to make sure that they are very knowledgeable when it comes to servicing the specific brand and model of car that you have.
If you’ve ever felt you got a raw deal taking your car in for service at the dealer, our anonymous service manager says that may well be true. But he also cites a number of reasons to take your car to the dealer for work anyway—and tells how not to get the short end of the stick when you do.
How much does a car dealership charge for shop supplies?
These are just some of the necessary costs of doing the auto repair business. Some dealers do not charge for them, but most do, and what is considered shop supplies is at the discretion of each individual dealer. I’ve seen a customer get billed for $30 in shop supplieson top of their estimatefor the use of three shop rags!
Do you need warranty service at a car dealership?
Yes. You need to know that dealers make very little on car sales. And warranty service doesn’t pay as much as regular maintenance. But if they see that record that you’ve been loyal to them, they’ll likely be loyal to you. What’s a sign that a dealership doesn’t value that relationship? Constant turnover at the service desk.
How often are car dealership service managers wrong?
They might be right 10 to 20 percent of the time, close 20 percent of the time, and dead wrong 60 percent of the time. I had a customer go through six oxygen sensors when all it was was a shorted wire. What’s the smartest thing you can buy from the dealer? A brand-name extended service contract. So if you’re buying a Ford, get a Ford contract.
How to find out if a car dealer is falsified?
Carefully read the documents, especially the credit or lease contract. Ask to review your final financing application. Make sure it shows your real income, down payment, and other personal information. Be sure all the terms, including the price and the financing, are what you agreed to.
What to do if your car dealer keeps fixing the same thing?
Often, work suddenly becomes free or your car gets fixed days or weeks ahead of time. If your dealer keeps fixing the same thing over and over again, get another dealer, or ask the service manager to escalate the problem (as mentioned earlier). If your dealer treats you badly, lies to you, etc., get another dealer.
Who is responsible for the condition of a car sold by a dealer?
The salesperson may praise a car to the sky, but when you read the contract, you will see it clearly stated that the seller takes absolutely no responsibility for the condition of the vehicle and that it is sold “as is.” the dealer is legally responsible for your damages. This second point is often harder to prove.
How does the service department work at a car dealership?
Dealerships don’t profit on extensive operations like replacing engine blocks, transmissions or other large components. These require expensive parts, and the mechanics take longer to finish them. So while you pay a lot for these operations, the service department doesn’t make much off them.
Is the dealership manual written by the manufacturer?
See, the manual was written by the company that built your car. It is the most accurate description of how to care for it. But when people go to the dealership for routine maintenance, the service advisor pushes the “dealer recommended service” on them.
Because the people who fulfill the generic contracts are paid by how little service they have to do. So they fight the dealer on every penny. They’ll want to see the entire labor record on the car. They won’t want to pay for parts. They’ll fight on the cost of the labor.
Is it necessary to have a dealer recommended service list?
When you arrive for even a simple oil change or tire rotation the service advisor is likely to present a “dealer recommended” list. Yes, it’s impressive-looking, with many complicated and important-sounding items on it. But is it necessary? Experts emphatically say no.
How to find out if a dealer is licensed to offer registration services?
Use DMV’s Occupational Licensing Status Information System to find out whether a dealer is licensed to offer registration services on behalf of DMV. There are many things dealers are required to provide, disclose, or do when you buy from them; make sure you know your rights!
See, the manual was written by the company that built your car. It is the most accurate description of how to care for it. But when people go to the dealership for routine maintenance, the service advisor pushes the “dealer recommended service” on them.
Dealerships don’t profit on extensive operations like replacing engine blocks, transmissions or other large components. These require expensive parts, and the mechanics take longer to finish them. So while you pay a lot for these operations, the service department doesn’t make much off them.
What happens when you test drive a car at a dealership?
A couple of the tried-and-not-so-true tactics revolve around test-drive vehicles. Before a test drive, the salesperson might ask for your car keys and/or your driver’s license “as security.” Then, when you return and want to leave without buying, the car keys or the license will go missing.
Is it bad to go to a car dealership without a plan?
But if you mosey into a car dealership lacking a plan, there is a good chance you’ll come out with a crater-size hole in your bank account. Not only that, your misspent Saturday morning could haunt you for years to come. A car purchase should not be an impulse buy.
Is it possible to get bad service at a local dealership?
So this is one of those myths that continue to get perpetuated, and there are rare stories of local stores being crappy to service customers that bought elsewhere. However, the service depa rtment generally doesn’t care where you bought your car. Would a local customer possibly get some more “perks” like a loaner or something? Perhaps.
Do you get better service if you buy from a different dealer?
However, the service depa rtment generally doesn’t care where you bought your car. Would a local customer possibly get some more “perks” like a loaner or something? Perhaps. But the likelihood doing a terrible a job on your warranty work because you bought elsewhere is slim.
Why do dealers ask for your license before a test drive?
Before a test drive, the salesperson might ask for your car keys and/or your driver’s license “as security.” Then, when you return and want to leave without buying, the car keys or the license will go missing. “We don’t see it that much anymore,” Sutton told us, referring to abusive dealer tactics.
Can you get service at a dealership 100 miles away?
I know that if I bought a say, a Chevy from a dealer 100 or 1000 miles away I am still entitled to service at the local Chevy dealer.