Honda Car Forum

On 12/3/2004 7:23 PM SoCalMike spake these words of knowledge:


> Jumper wrote:
>>
>> Until then...I'll go to my ASE Master Tech and a guy I trust over you
>> any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
>
> LOL... touche!
>
> i had a VW rabbit, and a trusted watercooled VW only mechanic. he did my
> engine rebuild, and i had to upsell *him* on doing things, like new CV
> joints, etc.
>
> since the engine was out, i wanted new CV joints, motor mounts, etc.
>
> of course, he just charged me for the parts... labor was included in the
> rebuild/reassembly. couple hundred more, but cheaper than doing it at a
> later time.
>
> most dealers ARE out to "get you". they dont care about dealership
> loyalty, repeat business, etc.

I disagree with this; I think most dealers are out to make a profit,
sure. If they don't, they aren't in business long. And of course we
*all* know stories about dealers who are simply ripping customers off.
But I don't think this is 'most' dealers.

Not having been to most dealerships, this is just my unsupported opinion.


> i wonder how the service dept at the online dealers like majestic are.
> the parts depts are willing to cut a deal, and just judging from the
> people here (me included), they get lots of repeat business.

I wonder why you bother to use periods and commas, but not other aspects
of written communication. How do you decide which ones to use and which
to leave out?


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
.... "Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret
for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." - Sydney J. Harris

"Dave Kelsen" <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote
> On 12/3/2004 7:23 PM SoCalMike spake these words of knowledge:
snip
> > most dealers ARE out to "get you". they dont care about dealership
> > loyalty, repeat business, etc.

I agree.

OTOH, because so many customers are too lazy to learn anything about engines and
motors, they're a captive audience. So why not force them to pay for the
expertise they're getting?

Like medical doctors.

Seriously.

> I disagree with this; I think most dealers are out to make a profit,
> sure. If they don't, they aren't in business long. And of course we
> *all* know stories about dealers who are simply ripping customers off.
> But I don't think this is 'most' dealers.
>
> Not having been to most dealerships, this is just my unsupported opinion.

Having worked for the service department of one dealership and done some
business with several others, I think their main goal is to profit from the
ignorance of their customers.

Just like medical doctors.

I will say that the culture in parts departments is a little different. Those
guys will offer little tips (it's part of this charm thing they have going),
many of which have value, about repairs. In addition, they'll try to be
competitive with their prices. Many a time people here report taking Majestic's
prices (printed out) to a parts person and the guy will match the price.

> > i wonder how the service dept at the online dealers like majestic are.
> > the parts depts are willing to cut a deal, and just judging from the
> > people here (me included), they get lots of repeat business.
>
> I wonder why you bother to use periods and commas, but not other aspects
> of written communication. How do you decide which ones to use and which
> to leave out?

:-)

I was hoping we might get some clarification re Majestic. Do Majestic's people
bargain a little if pushed?

Call me a chum, but their prices are usually way better than dealers' and often
competitive with other online companies. I don't want them to go out of business
like www.hparts.com (though the hparts site now says it's "under construction").
Hparts.com was recommended here at the newsgroup by many for years. I used them
at least once.

At least, I don't want Majestic to go out of business until more sites have the
great parts drawings.

Caroline wrote:
>
> I was hoping we might get some clarification re Majestic. Do Majestic's people
> bargain a little if pushed?

not that i know of. but i order from them knowing that im getting a
better price than my dealer. more dealers should be like them!

In article <qNmsd.5020$Va5.4509@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink. net>,
"Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote:

> So why not force them to pay for the
> expertise they're getting?

It's not even a matter of "forcing". The fact that people are leasing
$60K Hummers tells us that people are HAPPY and WILLING to spend that
kind of money. So why not be the vendor for the product?

I love to see people rant about service deparments, all while they
ignore the fact that most cars out there are way more than anyone needs.
They ignore that people are asking to spend that kind of money.